·Identification of strengths and weaknesses in learning and information processing streamlines intervention and avoids wasting valuable time. ·Many learning issues have complex cause/effect relationships and can be easily misdiagnosed without a thorough evaluation. ·The overlapping nature of ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Conduct and Emotional issues requires a complete understanding of each component to prioritize intervention steps. ·Psycho-educational evaluations are often a necessary step for admission to programs in schools designed to help students with academic concerns. ·Physicians often require a complete evaluation before prescribing medications that may have an impact on a student's learning.

There are four basic components of our psycho-educational evaluations. 1. Intellectual. Intelligence or ability testing gives a picture of the student's overall ability so we can more adequately set expectations. 2. Academic Achievement. The basics of learning: reading, writing, arithmetic and their subcomponents are thoroughly examined. For younger children it often means looking at prerequisite skills. 3. Information Processing. This is often the most useful and informative part of the evaluation. We attempt to answer why a student is having difficulty and what to do about it. Areas often covered are: visual, auditory and tactile porcessing, memory, attention span and executive functioning. Many of these measures are neuropsychological tests. 4. Social-emotional. Here we focus on emotional issues such as depression and anxiety as well as behavioral concerns that often co-exist in students with academic issues. The results of the individual tests are then compiled and analyzed to form clear recommendations and strategies.

·Initial Consultation: Parents are seen to gather information and address which quetgions to answer and which tests to give. Rating scales are given for parents and teachers to complete. ·Testing Sessions: Testing will generally take from two to three sessions, depending on the referral concerns and the extensiveness of the evaluation requested. ·Test scoring and interpretation: The tests are scored and integrated with questionnaires and rating scales completed by parents and teachers. Patterns and consistencies are gleaned from these multiple sources in order to develop a learning profile. ·Feedback session: The information obtained including strengths and weaknesses will be discussed. Specific strategies that address the concerns will be given. A written report covering all results is provided within a few weeks. ·Follow-up consultation: A follow-up meeting is provided. The meeting could include reviewing results with school personnel or a follow-up appointment months later to check on progress.