As parents, we always want what’s best for our children, and I understand how overwhelming it can feel to hear that your child may need testing related to an educational, developmental, or psychological concern. Scheduling your assessments for your child that can profoundly impact their lives both now and in the future can be stressful. However, I like to remind parents that evaluations and the diagnoses they provide are positive things. They give you the information you need to ensure your child receives the appropriate resources and accommodations to help them maximize their strengths to overcome life’s challenges. On this page, you’ll find some basic information about the assessment and testing services I offer in Walpole, MA at the Learning Curve Assessment Center. Please don’t hesitate to contact me to find out more.
Neuropsychological evaluation
A neuropsychological evaluation specifically is meant to study brain-based correlates of an array of concerns relating to intelligence, memory, language-based capabilities, visual-spatial skills, and prefrontal cortex functions such as executive control. Depending on referral concerns, evaluations may also assess social functioning, adaptive skill sets, and academic achievement.
The purpose of the evaluation is not only to better understand a child’s functioning in these areas, how they learn, and what type of educational environment they would thrive in, but also to provide parents, caregivers, teachers, and other service providers guidance in adopting such measures in the most practical way possible. The aim, ultimately, is to both help the child as well as empower the adult(s) involved in their instruction and/or care to facilitate qualitatively significant outcomes.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluations
Testing to diagnose or confirm a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder is one of the most common reasons parents reach out to me for assessment services. I encourage parents who suspect their child is on the autism spectrum to contact me as soon as they notice warning signs. When diagnosed in early stages, parents and children have more treatment options that are deemed effective in improving outcomes based on empirically validated evidence.
neurodevelopmental evaluation
Neurodevelopmental evaluations focus on toddlers and preschoolers identified with concerns in meeting developmental milestones, particularly as related to identifying ‘red flags’ associated with an autism spectrum disorder. Early detection of autism spectrum disorders allows for early access to empirically validated treatments that can significantly improve the developmental trajectory of the child, particularly in later years.
Clinical consultation
Clinical consultation with a neuropsychologist can be utilized for a variety of purposes such as to review the need for an assessment or program observation, review IEP, results of previous testing, or proposed programming, as well as seek consultation on a variety of matters related to pediatric mental health.
psychoEducational Evaluations
If your child is struggling to maintain their grades or experiencing difficulties at school, psychoeducational evaluations can give you and the child’s educators the necessary information to help your child succeed academically. Offer testing services that assess for a range of learning-based dysfunctions, including:
Educational & School-Based Evaluations
School is a big part of your child’s life, and ensuring they have the resources they need to be academically successful is important. I offer a range of school-based evaluations, classroom observations, and other assessment services to ensure your child achieves their educational goals. Specifically, I provide the following services:
School/Program Observation - a school/program observation may be needed in addition to a neuropsychological evaluation in order to understand whether a program or an educational setting is well-structured, developed, and implemented with respect to instruction, accommodations, cohorts, and developmentally appropriate social opportunities in order to meet a child’s needs.
Gifted and Talented & Twice Exceptional Evaluation - If there are questions regarding your child’s match with their educational setting due to their advanced cognitive and learning capabilities being underserved or underutilized, a gifted and talented or twice exceptional evaluation may be an option worth exploring.
Attendance at IEP Meetings - these annual meetings are required by federal statute to ensure that students continue to receive the most appropriate educational resources. Many parents feel a little outnumbered in these meetings, and it can be beneficial to have a knowledgeable professional in attendance who can help you understand the school’s perspective and your child’s options.
College Age Student Evaluations - if your child has received educational resources throughout primary and secondary schooling, they may be able to continue receiving accommodations and educational support when they enter higher education. However, most colleges require college age student evaluations in order to offer these accommodations at the university level.