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ACADEMIC DIAGNOSIS
The mission of Academic Evaluation & Diagnosis is to identify the presence of a particular disability or characteristics of giftedness and to analyze evaluation data to determine the student's learning pattern of strengths and weaknesses. Each evaluation is uniquely tailored to the individual’s needs. Throughout the evaluation, a multi-faceted approach is used. A wide variety of sources of data is combined with clinical expertise to make decisions and recommendations. This convergence of data is used to design an instructional program. Academic Evaluation & Diagnosis offers a variety of assessment options to meet the individual needs of each client. Services vary from an informal screening to identify strengths and weaknesses to a full psycho-educational evaluation to identify a learning disability, dyslexia, or the presence of academically gifted characteristics. These evaluation services are available to students of any age including preschool and elementary-age children, adolescents, and adults. |
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Each full evaluation includes:
A conference is held with the family and/or student to explain the results, conclusions, and prescriptive instructional recommendations for the home, school, or possible tutor with referrals to other appropriate professionals. A differential diagnosis is dependent upon a variety of criteria. Regardless of whether or not the participant is diagnosed with a particular pattern, the resulting data and report are critical for future instructional planning.
Why pursue an educational evaluation?
Assessment is the process by which educational decisions are made. Parents and schools request testing for a wide variety of reasons including:
Expected Outcomes of Testing
The client is provided with a detailed written report which includes the following information:
Private and Public Evaluations
Students are entitled to evaluations at no charge when the tests are administered by the school district in which they live. However, school evaluations tend to be designed and completed in order to determine if a student qualifies for a particular program.
Private evaluations tend to be much more extensive and complex. Therefore, private evaluations often provide much more necessary information for making specific instructional recommendations. The private evaluator often has greater access to a variety of tests rather than being limited to those selected by the school.
The private evaluator can make recommendations that are the most appropriate for that student rather than those the school has available. Furthermore, the private evaluator can gain information that will allow for a description of a condition that may or may not be defined as a disability or determine eligibility for services. Detailing the nature of the disability is nonetheless important in making instructional decisions.
Private evaluations should include in-depth analyses of a student’s achievement, ability to process information, learning styles, and strengths and weaknesses and how to use this data to improve the student’s academic performance.
- an extensive written report with a summary and interpretation of each assessment
- a detailed diagnosis of the condition
- detail of individual strengths and weaknesses
- specific individualized recommendations designed to meet the student’s needs
A conference is held with the family and/or student to explain the results, conclusions, and prescriptive instructional recommendations for the home, school, or possible tutor with referrals to other appropriate professionals. A differential diagnosis is dependent upon a variety of criteria. Regardless of whether or not the participant is diagnosed with a particular pattern, the resulting data and report are critical for future instructional planning.
Why pursue an educational evaluation?
Assessment is the process by which educational decisions are made. Parents and schools request testing for a wide variety of reasons including:
- screening and identification
- diagnosis and potential eligibility for special programs
- determination of appropriate accommodations and modifications
- instructional planning
- development and placement of Individualized Educational Program (IEP)
- reevaluation to measure progress
- selection of best education option
- support of application to private school
- determination of appropriate grade placement for young students
- basic aptitude testing for college-bound students
- post-secondary educational planning
Expected Outcomes of Testing
The client is provided with a detailed written report which includes the following information:
- present level of performance (baseline data)
- deeper understanding of how the student learns
- diagnosis/description of a condition
- design of appropriate educational program/placement
- appropriate research-based recommendations for intervention
- referrals to other specialists and related agencies
- specialized program for home, school, and tutor/academic therapist
- specific accommodations to provide the student with equal access to educational opportunities
- extensive detailed report with specific Individualized Educational Program (IEP) development to share with other professionals
- clear interpretation of findings
Private and Public Evaluations
Students are entitled to evaluations at no charge when the tests are administered by the school district in which they live. However, school evaluations tend to be designed and completed in order to determine if a student qualifies for a particular program.
Private evaluations tend to be much more extensive and complex. Therefore, private evaluations often provide much more necessary information for making specific instructional recommendations. The private evaluator often has greater access to a variety of tests rather than being limited to those selected by the school.
The private evaluator can make recommendations that are the most appropriate for that student rather than those the school has available. Furthermore, the private evaluator can gain information that will allow for a description of a condition that may or may not be defined as a disability or determine eligibility for services. Detailing the nature of the disability is nonetheless important in making instructional decisions.
Private evaluations should include in-depth analyses of a student’s achievement, ability to process information, learning styles, and strengths and weaknesses and how to use this data to improve the student’s academic performance.