Knowledge is power.
OVERVIEW
Families often seek out an assessment when trying to understand a particular struggle or are facing a decision about their child or teen. Dr. Joy specializes in working with ages 3-18 and has extensive experience identifying and assessing the following areas:
- impact of trauma on development
- attention and executive functioning challenges
- learning challenges
- developmental delays and autism spectrum disorder
- emotional regulation
- social functioning
- gifted and twice-exceptional
Dr. Joy provides comprehensive neurodevelopmental/psychological and educational assessments that are in-depth, collaborative, and strengths-based. This holistic evaluation process identifies gifts, struggles, and embraces neurodiversity. The goal of the evaluation is to recognize how the child or teen’s brain learns best and how best to support her/his development so that the child/teen feels her/his best.
Dr. Joy’s analysis offers in-depth recommendations for the child or teen in treatment, at school, and at home. She uses a collaborative feedback process that empowers family members to provide the best support possible. The evaluation process includes meeting with the parents, the child/teen, and the school as needed.
PROCESS
- Initial intake interview with caregivers
- Collaboration with teachers and treatment team
- Assessment/testing sessions with the child/teen (5-7 hours total)
- Usually 2-4 sessions depending on developmental needs
- Ongoing discussion with caregivers about the process and initial impressions
- Hold Feedback meetings, including:
- Discussion of findings with caregivers: review report and recommendations
- Feedback story or letter with the child/teen
- Feedback with the treatment team and or school (if indicated)
- Assessment report finalized and given to caregivers
- Depending on scheduling and needs the process takes approximately 5-8 weeks
GOAL
- Includes assessment of cognitive, neurocognitive, academic, emotional, social, and regulation functioning to uncover both gifts and areas to support.
- The assessments are tailored to meet the needs of the individual child or teen.
- This type of comprehensive assessment provides the opportunity to really understand a child or teen at a more in-depth level to make specific treatment, academic, home, and community recommendations so that they can be at their best.
- Dr. Joy also offers more focused assessment options and values meeting the needs of the families she serves.
- A comprehensive report and recommendations are provided.
TIMELINE
The cost of a comprehensive evaluation can range given the reason for the referral. Given the comprehensive and in-depth nature of our assessment, Dr. Joy often spends between 20-25 hours per evaluation.. Please note she often has a waitlist of approximately 3-6 weeks. Dr. Joy offers a limited number of sliding scale slots; if interested, please inquire during the initial consultation.
Dr. Joy is following CDC, county health department, and American Psychological Association guidelines.