My Approach

My Assessment Approach for Children

Intake: You come in for a separate, caregiver-only intake appointment about a week before I meet your child. This allows you to talk openly and confidentially about your concerns. It also ensures you know I'm the right "fit" for your family before I get started with your child. I will ask you to bring your child’s relevant records and complete some paperwork and questionnaires. We will discuss whether I will visit your child’s school and interview his or her teacher.
Testing: I can spend a full day with your child, similar to a school day. This allows me to see the child across an entire day, rather than just for an hour or two “snapshot." However, I can also schedule two or three separate testing appointments if this will work better for you and your child.
Feedback: We go over the test results and what they mean about three weeks after the testing appointment and after all assessment questionnaires have been completed.

Strengths-Based: I focus on your child's strengths and their vulnerabilities. The test results will highlight what your child needs to succeed, as well as what assets to build on.

Personalized: My assessment battery is tailored to your concerns. I don't use the same tests for every child -- I select the most appropriate tests for the specific questions you have.

Personal: I do all my own testing, scoring, and report-writing. I work one-on-one with your child and complete all aspects of the evaluation personally.
Observations: I can visit your child’s school to observe them in the classroom and interview teachers about your child’s functioning at school.
Evidence-based: I use up-to-date tests and research about psychological functioning and apply them to your child’s unique situation.
Practical: I collaborate with caregivers to ensure the recommendations I provide are realistic, feasible, and practical for your family’s situation.

Thorough Report: You will receive a full report that includes background information, details of what your child was like during testing, full test scores and interpretations, and recommendations.
Written Summary: I can also provide a 2-page written summary of your child's evaluation results. The summary is perfect for quickly communicating with school personnel, pediatricians, therapists, psychiatrists, or other providers.
Letter to the Child: I believe that children are active participants in the assessment process. This is a process done with them, not just about them. I am happy to write a letter to your child that reminds them of our time together, explains how their brain works, what they are particularly strong in, and strategies that I think might be helpful for them at home and school.
Follow-up: I will work with you for one year following the assessment to help implement recommendations, monitor how they are working, and help you adjust as needed.