Brighter Pathways ©  2009

1237 E. Livingston Street, Suite B

Orlando, FL 32803-5401

Ph: 407-895-0540 ~ Fax: (407) 228-9771

Licenses:  SS00305 ~ MH02676 ~ PCE-9

Often, before effective interventions can be implemented, some assessment is necessary to determine the child’s current levels of functioning.  This helps to:

• establish expectations for learning  
• understand the child’s pattern of strengths and weaknesses
• yield an appropriate diagnosis  

 

Screening or Intervention Consultation is usually fairly brief and gives a good “general sketch” of the child’s levels. Comprehensive evaluation is lengthy, usually between 4 to 7 hours, depending on the child’s age and grade.  With this type of assessment a very detailed report is generated about specific learning issues, styles and approaches for remediation and accommodations.   

 

Testing generally includes these components:

1. Intelligence (IQ) Testing

Establishes a baseline of what a child is capable of doing
Helps rule out low ability
Reveals a general profile of strengths and weaknesses

(See accompanying article, this site: IQ & SUCCESS.)

Most commonly used IQ tests in this office:  

• Standford-Binet Intelligence Scale-5 (SB-5)
• Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-IV (WISC-IV)

 

2. Achievement Testing

Explores specific academic areas, usually reading, writing and math
Examines distinct skills, for example sight vocabulary vs. comprehension
Identifies any gap between actual achievement and expected achievement (based on IQ)

 

3. Process Testing

Assesses the way a child handles information
Is often complex and time-consuming
Usually taps into:
Memory
Auditory Input
Visual Input
Oral Expression
Paper and Pencil Skill

 

4, Other Testing

Rules out that there are not other contributing factors that may mimic or “look-like” Learning Disabilities.  Here is where the child is assessed for ADD/ADHD, anxiety, depression, SID and so on.

Common instruments here include:

• The Children’s Depression Scale
• The Manifest Anxiety Scale for Children
• The Conner’s Rating Scales
• The Brown ADD Scales
• The Children’s Attention and Adjustment Survey
• The Broad Attention Cluster (WJC-II)
• SID Checklists
• Mood Checklists
• Autism/Aspergers' Checklists
• The Children’s Apperception Test
• The Bender-Visual Motor Gestalt Test
• The Incomplete Sentences Blank
   

Assessment:

Types of Testing