Evaluations include
Intake and clinical interview
Assessment
Feedback conference
Comprehensive report
Meeting at the school to review results and help put accommodations in place
(if necessary).
The Initial Meeting
Evaluations begin with a comprehensive intake interview with the child's parents. During this face-to-face meeting, Dr. Walinsky gathers relevant information regarding the current concerns, the history of the presenting problems, relevant medical information, a thorough developmental history, and details about the child's academic strengths and weaknesses. As a part of this meeting, Dr. Walinsky will discuss with parents how they can best prepare the child for the evaluation.
The Assessment
Dr. Walinsky meets with your child for a minimum of 2 testing sessions. The length of the session is determined by the child's age and attention span. Each evaluation session may last between 2 - 4 hours.
Typically, a comprehensive evaluation includes assessments of mental status, memory and learning, cognitive abilities, language development, academic achievement (including all areas of reading and math), social-emotional development and attention/focus.
Behavioral observations and analyses of a child's response styles are carefully considered when interpreting results. It is important to see not only how a child responded, but why a child responded the way he/she did.
Evaluations are conducted in a quiet, child-friendly office with minimal environmental distractions. Breaks are encouraged to help optimize a child's performance. Each test is comprised of short activities/tasks. Many are "hands on" activities and interactive.
Standardized rating scales and questionnaires are used as part of the evaluation. Input from parents, teachers, and the child's own self- report help conceptualize current concerns. Telephone conversations with teachers and other professionals (i.e., psychologist) regarding a child's social, behavioral and academic performance are a critical component of the assessment process.
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The Results
After the assessment is completed, written and verbal feedback is provided to parents. Dr. Walinsky personally sits down with parents to review the results of the evaluation. Behavioral observations, test scores and clinical impressions are shared. The child's strengths and weaknesses are outlined. If a diagnosis is warranted, it is explained during this feedback session. Whether or not a diagnosis is made, Dr. Walinsky provides recommendations.
Dr. Walinsky may also meet with the child (if appropriate) to discuss the results. Alternatively, she will help parents understand how they can best explain the results to the child in a developmentally appropriate way. Dr. Walinsky will also gladly join the parents at the school to review results and help implement accommodations/supports at school.
A comprehensive personalized report is generated that reviews and conceptualizes all of the results, diagnoses (if applicable), clinical impressions and recommendations.
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