Assessments Step-by-Step

Initial Step

• During your initial call to DLS, a brief background or history will be taken. You and ⁄ or your child will be scheduled for either an Intake or a full Assessment.

Second Step

• Within a week of the phone interview, you will receive a Parent or Adult Questionnaire, a Teacher Questionnaire (if applicable), a Release Form and other policy and billing documentation. Completion of the Parent Questionnaire and Release Form is mandatory. The Teacher Questionnaire provides valuable information and families are encouraged to ask teachers to return this form to the office before the Intake or the Assessment.

Next Step(s)

• An Intake is a one hour appointment with the Director of DLS, John Fleming. It is a screening only; a written report is not generated. Clinical Objectives are provided in outline form. The Intake process can provide a basic understanding of a child′s approximate academic level(s) and current educational needs. It can also provide referrals to other professionals and provide information about schools in the area. Information is gathered from parents, teachers and ⁄ or other professionals. From the screening, possible solutions and recommendations are offered, one of which might be a full Assessment.
• An Assessment is a six hour process that is broken into two, three-hour increments. A follow up visit for additional testing, at no further charge, is sometimes necessary.
• An Assessment has two primary purposes. One is to determine cognitive and processing styles and how these styles interact with the students′ learning skills and performance. Second, is to assess learning behavior (emotional and psychological), attending issues (ADHD) and how these conditions are impacting skill development and overall academic performance. These conditions and how they relate to learning are also screened. If a language delay ⁄ disorder is suspect, an additional language test is scheduled. If more than one language assessment is needed, there will be an additional charge.

Last Step

• Approximately, eight weeks after the date of the conference, pending a balance due, a 12- to 20-page written report is generated and two copies are made available to the family. It is considered a legally valid document for three years from the date of the assessment and it can be used to acquire accommodations if they are deemed necessary. Please keep a copy for your records. If replacements are needed, there is a fee.
• After the Assessment or Intake: It is up to the parent or guardian to implement the recommendations and ⁄ or referrals that were generated from the meeting. Further consultation can be made by appointment (charges are applicable).