Psychoeducational Evaluations
Psychoeducational evaluations conducted at PRS, Inc. are comprehensive, diagnostic, and individualized based on each student’s needs. Neuropsychological, academic, and social-emotional measures are administered to garner a thorough understanding of learning strengths and weaknesses and social-emotional well-being. Additionally, we find it valuable to involve stakeholders who have familiarity with the student, which may include parents, teachers, tutors, and therapists. Our thorough evaluation process leads to tailored treatment plans, including recommendations related to educational programming, therapeutic considerations, strategy development, assistive technology, and methods for accessing school-based and private supports. At PRS, Inc. it is our mission to provide continuity in educational care collaborating with our families before, during and after the evaluation process. Ultimately, the goal of comprehensive evaluation is to promote happy, confident learners across home and school settings.
Screeners
Although comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations are often recommended as a means of fully understanding a student’s learning needs and social-emotional functioning, there are instances in which abbreviated evaluations may be warranted. Abbreviated evaluations are considered on a case-by-base situation. Screeners may be recommended in the following situations:
- Referral question is very narrowed
- Concerns are relatively mild
- Case study evaluation was recently completed by school
- Previous neuropsychological testing was recently conducted
- Specific assessments required for school entrance
Why consider a psychoeducational evaluation?
- Existing school data suggests flat or declining performance; especially if the student has already received some type of intervention (RtI/MTSS)
- Student presents with ongoing concerns in any particular area (e.g., distractibility, acquisition of early literacy skills, tendency to worry)
- Noted changes in behavior
- More irritable; isolating self
- Indications of decreased self-esteem
- Negative comments about school
- Family history of learning or social-emotional challenges
- The psychologists and learning specialists at PRS, Inc. commonly work with students presenting with a variety of learning and behavioral challenges, such as:
- Learning disabilities in reading, written expression, and mathematics (including dyslexia, dysgraphia, & dyscalculia)
- Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
- Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disorders
- Developmental Delays, Language Disorder
- Anxiety Disorders, Depressive Disorders
- Oppositional Defiant Disorder
- Twice-exceptional learners (i.e., gifted + a learning or social-emotional challenge)
What may be included in a psychoeducational evaluation?
- Parent interview
- Student interview
- Input from school staff, therapists, tutors, etc.
- Classroom observation
- Assessment of cognitive ability
- Assessment of information processing
- Assessment of academic achievement
- Assessment of social-emotional functioning
- Parent feedback session
- Student feedback session
- Comprehensive report with individualized recommendations
Why consider an evaluation at PRS?
Board Certified School Psychologists
- Expertise in neuropsychological assessment
- Experience working in schools
- Well-versed with many core curricula
- Knowledgeable of intervention models and processes (RtI; MTSS)
- Knowledgeable in intervention programs for supporting literacy and math needs
- First-hand experience with the development and implementation of Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and 504 plans
Expertise working with students in preschool through graduate school
- Experience assessing and supporting students of all ages – preschool through graduate school
- Younger students
- Individualized assessment process to maintain maximum engagement
- Student interview given to connect with and ensure the child feels comfortable
- Frequent breaks provided during assessments
- Older students
- Increased self-awareness through verbal student feedback session
- Ongoing consultation
- Younger students
Comprehensive evaluations & tailored recommendations
- Addresses the specific needs of each student
- Information acquired from various stakeholders providing a more holistic understanding of the student across various settings
- Thorough results and recommendations communicated during inclusive parent and student feedback sessions
- Extensive, detailed report summarizing results and individualized recommendations
- Tailored Recommendations meet the specific needs of each student
- Educational Programming Needs
- Therapeutic Considerations
- Learning Strategies
- Behavioral Strategies
- Assistive Technology,
- Useful resources
- Provides information necessary for student to capitalize on their areas of strength
- Utilizing new strategies
- Accessing accommodations/modifications to support areas of challenge
Continuity
in care
The mission of PRS, Inc. to enhance the continuity in care of each client
- Remaining connected with families and providing continued support
- Accessing school-based support
- Attending school meetings to help increase understanding of the student’s learning and social-emotional strengths and weaknesses
- Advocate for proper educational supports
- Private Support
- Provide ongoing educational consultation to private providers
- Assist in refining private supports based on evaluation results and recommendations
- Attain accommodations and modifications on entrance exams (eg, Selective enrollment, ACT, GAMT)
- Provide additional strategies based on the changing needs of the student
- Accessing school-based support
- Post-evaluation PRS Supports
- Educational Therapy
- Executive Functioning Coaching
- Individualized test-preparation
FLEXIBILTY in locations
- Evaluations are conducted a 3 locations increasing accessibility to families in the Chicagoland area
- Chicago
- Skokie
- Long Grove