Psychology and Counseling Associates offers testing and evaluation services including:
- Diagnostic Evaluations for Autism, ADHD, Learning Disabilities, Intellectual Disability
- Psychoeducational Testing
- Independent Educational Evaluations
- Gifted Evaluations
- Private School Admissions Testing
- Evaluations for Testing Accommodations
Autism Spectrum Disorder Evaluation
We utilize the gold standard assessments in the field, including the Autism Diagnostic Interview, Revised (ADI-R) and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition (ADOS-2), to determine whether a child or adolescent’s clinical presentation and history are consistent with an Autism Spectrum Disorder diagnosis.
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Evaluation
A diagnosis of ADHD involves gathering information from multiple sources to examine a child or adolescent’s behavior and determine the impact it may be having on his or her learning and daily life. Developmental history, clinical observation, and rating scales completed by parents and teachers can help determine whether a diagnosis of ADHD is appropriate.
Learning Disability Evaluation
Our psychologists are able to offer a range of assessments and diagnostic testing and differentiate between a variety of conditions, such as impairment in reading including dyslexia, impairment in mathematics including dyscalculia, and impairment in written expression, so that tailored recommendations and interventions can be made.
Intellectual Disability Evaluation
A diagnosis of Intellectual Disability requires a valid cognitive assessment and adaptive data gathered from a rater who is familiar with the individual’s abilities. Examination of this information can determine whether a diagnosis of Intellectual Disability is appropriate.
Psychoeducational Testing
At Psychology and Counseling Associates, we provide our clients and families with comprehensive evaluations that can provide answers to difficult questions. The psychologists within our practice have extensive training and expertise in evaluating and working with individuals with unique learning profiles. We gather information about cognitive abilities, including reasoning, attention, understanding, processing speed, and memory, academic achievement, and social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Following the completion of the evaluation, a report describing test results and subsequent recommendations specific to the individual’s needs is provided.
Independent Educational Evaluations
Parents of a child with a disability have a right to obtain an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE). Parents may seek an IEE in order to gather more information about a specific skill or difficulty or in order to better advocate for a child. School districts may seek an IEE in instances when they do not have the personnel or resources to conduct an evaluation that an IEP team had identified as needed. IEEs may include any skill related to a child’s educational needs. As part of our telephone intake, we can determine whether we can complete the type of evaluation you are seeking.
Gifted Evaluations
We conduct an evaluation to determine whether an individual meets the eligibility criteria set forth by the state in which he or she lives. These evaluations include a cognitive assessment, a developmental interview, review of previous school experience information, and an assessment of academic achievement.
Private School Admissions Testing
Many private schools require every student of a certain age to complete a standardized assessment that provides information about a student’s IQ as well as information about memory, attention, problem solving, and overall approach to learning. Some private schools offer programs that provide support to students with diagnosed learning differences. We design evaluations to meet the requirements of the prospective school or program.
Evaluations for Testing Accommodations
Some students have received informal accommodations throughout their educational careers and want to determine whether they are eligible to receive them on college board exams or exams in college. Other students may be wondering if they are eligible for testing accommodations, such as extended time or a distraction free room or a scribe to complete a scantron form or screen reading technology.
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Meet the Therapists Who Provide Our Psychological Evaluations and Testing
Connie Kelleher, PhD, NCSP
Dr. Kelleher received her doctoral training in School Psychology at Temple University. She is a licensed psychologist and certified school psychologist in Pennsylvania. She has extensive experience evaluating and developing interventions for unique learners. She has worked with individuals impacted by Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and their families for more than 20 years. Dr. Kelleher conducts comprehensive diagnostic and psychoeducational evaluations of children, adolescents, and young adults with learning and behavioral differences, including anxiety, attention and executive functioning challenges, developmental disabilities, and autism spectrum disorder.
Julie Schell, PhD
Dr. Schell earned a doctorate in School Psychology in 2007 at the Pennsylvania State University, where she pursued additional training in understanding the needs of children and adolescents with chronic health conditions and neurological impairments. Dr. Schell is a licensed psychologist and a certified school psychologist in Pennsylvania. She is also a Certified Brain Injury Specialist (CBIS), providing evaluations for youth who have experienced a brain injury and require additional support within their educational program. Dr. Schell has over 13 years of experience in the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of developmental, learning, and emotional conditions, such as learning disabilities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, anxiety, and traumatic or acquired brain injuries.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How Does it Work?
At the initial appointment, the psychologist generally begins by meeting with clients and families to gather information and discuss possible options. Based on that initial consultation meeting, they determine what information needs to be gathered to answer client and family questions. After the psychologist develops a plan, the following can occur depending on what information is needed: testing, data collection, and/or observing clients in their learning environment. After the psychologist gathers all of the relevant information, findings are reviewed with families and a detailed report is developed.
For more information, please call our office staff at 610-970-5234. They will be able to answer your questions and help you to determine if your insurance company will cover these services.