Psychoeducational Assessment
Psychoeducational Assessment & Testing For Children & Adolescents
Newport Beach | Orange County CA
Is Your Child Struggling Academically?
Testing to Evaluate School Performance & Testing for Accommodations At School
Have you noticed your child having particular difficulties with reading, math, or writing? Do they frequently miss deadlines or lose important documents (homework, notes, etc.)? These issues might indicate the presence of a barrier to optimal academic performance.
Learning disabilities, low cognitive ability, ADHD, Anxiety and Depression can impact your child’s ability to succeed academically (Shalev, Manor, & Gross-Tsur, 2005). Schools are invested in supporting children with academic difficulties, but first they must identify those who can benefit from additional assistance. As this assistance tends to be funded by the State, a qualified mental health professional must provide a diagnosis before services are rendered. Many schools have a system for assessment; yet, these tend to have lengthy waitlists and are prioritized for those who have severe impairment.
If you believe your child may have academic difficulty due to a learning disability or mental health (i.e. ADHD, Anxiety, Depression) issue and testing is not currently available, you have come to the right place.
What is a Learning Disability?
Many people have learning difficulties and differences that prevent them from performing their best. In fact, an estimated 1 in 6 people in the United States suffer from some form of learning disability (Boyle et al, 2011).
Learning disabilities are very common and often go unnoticed. Many people with learning disabilities are labeled as “lazy,” “unmotivated,” “unintelligent,” or “disobedient” (see May & Stone, 2010). We quickly judge those who learn differently, leading to discouragement and shame.
Common signs of a learning disability include (DSM-5):
Difficulty reading (dyslexia)
Confusion with word meaning
Difficulty with math and understanding number concepts
Difficulty pronouncing words or communicating ideas
Issues with writing
Trouble with activities normal for children their age (tying shoes, speaking on the phone)
Dyslexia, which means difficulty with words, is one of the most common learning disabilities. Children with dyslexia often struggle with seemingly basic academic tasks and become quickly left behind by classmates (Fredrickson & Jacobs, 2001).
Fortunately, people with learning disabilities can flourish and grow with the right support (Mercer, Campbell, Miller, Mercer, & Lane, 2000). School support can help ameliorate the effects of a developmental disabilities and improve performance in the classroom (Chard, Vaughn, Tyler, 2002), as well as increase your child’s self-worth (Elbaum, Batya, & Vaugh, 2001).
How Can Testing Help?
Testing for learning disabilities is an extensive, but important, process of psychological assessment.
The assessment process will include:
1) An initial 1-2 hour interview with you and your child
We’ll discuss your child’s developmental history, any major medical concerns, and academic performance
We will also go over any report cards or school records that are available
I will also send home forms for you and your child’s teachers to complete
2) 4-8 hours of test administration
Your child and I will meet to go through a series of psychological assessments, including cognitive, academic, and additional diagnostic tests as needed.
*4-6 hours of scoring, interpreting and writing up results of testing data (this is completed without the child/student present).
3) 1-2 hours for a feedback session and report review
We review the final results and discuss the next steps for finding help for your child
I provide a diagnostic summary and recommendations based on the findings
The final report includes the diagnosis and any recommendations I may have for your child and the school. The school’s Special Education Director can then use that report to determine qualification for services. We will discuss the process for doing this in our feedback session, and I will be happy to help you work with the school in providing sufficient support for your child.
I believe that accurate testing will provide your child with the path to success. Together, we can help your child reach their potential.
Interested? Let’s connect!
If you are interested in assessment services and live near the Newport Beach, Orange County California area, please contact me as soon as possible. I would love to hear from you and answer any questions you may have about my practice.
I provide assessments for children and families throughout the Newport Beach area, but I also work with folks from Orange, Costa Mesa, Anaheim, Mission Viejo, Laguna Beach, Rancho Santa Margarita, Aliso Viejo, Fountain Valley, Laguna Hills, Irvine, Tustin, Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and Dana Point.
I can help you find the right academic or work-based support. Why wait?
Dr. Montgomery holds dual certifications in Clinical Psychology (California Board of Psychology PSY28475) and Family Therapy (California Board of Behavioral Sciences MFT49608). He has dedicated his professional and academic activities to understanding and addressing psychological, behavioral and interpersonal health in children, adolescents, and families.
Education:
Psy.D. Clinical Psychology
M.A. Clinical Psychology
M.S. Counseling Psychology
B.A. Psychology
Psychoeducational Assessment
IS YOUR CHILD STRUGGLING ACADEMICALLY?
Testing to Evaluate School Performance & Testing for Accommodations At School
Have you noticed your child having particular difficulties with reading, math, or writing? Do they frequently miss deadlines or lose important documents (homework, notes, etc.)? These issues might indicate the presence of a barrier to optimal academic performance.
Learning disabilities, low cognitive ability, ADHD, Anxiety and Depression can impact your child’s ability to succeed academically (Shalev, Manor, & Gross-Tsur, 2005). Schools are invested in supporting children with academic difficulties, but first they must identify those who can benefit from additional assistance. As this assistance tends to be funded by the State, a qualified mental health professional must provide a diagnosis before services are rendered. Many schools have a system for assessment; yet, these tend to have lengthy waitlists and are prioritized for those who have severe impairment.
If you believe your child may have academic difficulty due to a learning disability or mental health (i.e. ADHD, Anxiety, Depression) issue and testing is not currently available, you have come to the right place.
What is a Learning Disability?
Many people have learning difficulties and differences that prevent them from performing their best. In fact, an estimated 1 in 6 people in the United States suffer from some form of learning disability (Boyle et al, 2011).
Learning disabilities are very common and often go unnoticed. Many people with learning disabilities are labeled as “lazy,” “unmotivated,” “unintelligent,” or “disobedient” (see May & Stone, 2010). We quickly judge those who learn differently, leading to discouragement and shame.
Common signs of a learning disability include (DSM-5):
Difficulty reading (dyslexia)
Confusion with word meaning
Difficulty with math and understanding number concepts
Difficulty pronouncing words or communicating ideas
Issues with writing
Trouble with activities normal for children their age (tying shoes, speaking on the phone)
Dyslexia, which means difficulty with words, is one of the most common learning disabilities. Children with dyslexia often struggle with seemingly basic academic tasks and become quickly left behind by classmates (Fredrickson & Jacobs, 2001).
Fortunately, people with learning disabilities can flourish and grow with the right support (Mercer, Campbell, Miller, Mercer, & Lane, 2000). School support can help ameliorate the effects of a developmental disabilities and improve performance in the classroom (Chard, Vaughn, Tyler, 2002), as well as increase your child’s self-worth (Elbaum, Batya, & Vaugh, 2001).
How Can Testing Help?
Testing for learning disabilities is an extensive, but important, process of psychological assessment.
The assessment process will include:
1) An initial 1-2 hour interview with you and your child
We’ll discuss your child’s developmental history, any major medical concerns, and academic performance
We will also go over any report cards or school records that are available
I will also send home forms for you and your child’s teachers to complete
2) 4-8 hours of test administration
Your child and I will meet to go through a series of psychological assessments, including cognitive, academic, and additional diagnostic tests as needed.
*4-6 hours of scoring, interpreting and writing up results of testing data (this is completed without the child/student present).
3) 1-2 hours for a feedback session and report review
We review the final results and discuss the next steps for finding help for your child
I provide a diagnostic summary and recommendations based on the findings
The final report includes the diagnosis and any recommendations I may have for your child and the school. The school’s Special Education Director can then use that report to determine qualification for services. We will discuss the process for doing this in our feedback session, and I will be happy to help you work with the school in providing sufficient support for your child.
I believe that accurate testing will provide your child with the path to success. Together, we can help your child reach their potential.