Reasons? Snapshot of functioning, Diagnosis, Services, Accommodations, Planning, Documentation

Snapshot: An evaluation will provide the student, the family  and the school with a current snapshot of student functioning so that educational placement and instructional programming can be informed so that the student can reach academic potential.

Diagnosis:  This comprehensive diagnostic service has the ability to rule in or out the possibility of a learning disability or an attention deficit. Testing may determine a diagnosis including: Learning Disability (Math, Reading, or Writing) such as Dyslexia/Reading Disorder, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder-Inattentive Type, with Hyperactivity, or Combined; Executive Functioning Disorder; Fluency Disorder, Processing Disorder; Gifted and Talented; Nonverbal Learning Disorder and re-determination of Developmental Disorder/Autism spectrum.

Support services: In elementary, middle, high school and undergraduate and graduate school, it is possible to apply to the school to receive support services including reading, math, writing, oral expression and executive functioning. With an independent testing report, determining a specific learning disability and or attention deficit, it is possible to appeal to the County, the independent school or higher educational institution for educational and related services.

Accommodations: Mandated by the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and the American Disability Act (ADA), students with learning disabilities and or attention disorders, as well as those with other disabilities, may be found eligible for educational support and related services and accommodations so that they may be better able to reveal their potential in school. Testing accommodations do not change what is expected. They only change the way students gain access to learning. Formal accommodations adapt and adjust.

Accommodations may be considered at the elementary, middle, high school, undergraduate and graduate levels, with a range of accommodations for those who are diagnosed with Specific Learning Disability. Possible accommodations may include: preferential scheduling, extended time on tests, quiet space for tests, multiple test days, frequent breaks during tests, computer keyboard access during tests, scribe for tests, reader for tests, textbooks and or exams on tape, one exam per day during exam period, preferential registration, note taking services, reduced course load, math waiver, foreign language waiver, flexible course sequencing, special housing considerations, iClicker for examinations, second set of texts, and others.

With the results of the evaluation, students may apply for accommodations on one or more of the following standardized examinations:

• College Board admissions: SAT, ACT, PSAT, SAT subject tests, AP exams, CLEP, ASVAB;
• Graduate school admissions: LSAT, MCAT, GRE, GMAT, MAT, DAT, PCAT, OAT;
• High school admissions: SHSAT, SSAT, ISEE;
• Medical licensing: USMLE, COMLEX;
• State standards achievement: such as Virginia SOL, Colorado CSAP, etc.;
• Nursing Domestic/International: NCLEX-RN, NCLEX-PN;
• Other Health Tests: NAPLEX, NBDE, PANCE/PANRE, EMS/EMT, Medical Assistant, Radiology Exam, Dental Hygienist;
• Other tests: BAR law examination, MPRE, Educational Certificate, Civil Service, Real Estate Licensing, IT Certification, US Citizenship

Planning: Parents of students who are seeking testing services often want to know more than a diagnosis. While a diagnosis certainly can rule in or rule out suspicions, parents typically want to better understand what to do next. Charting a course for action is essential once a diagnosis is determined. The comprehensive evaluation completed by Dr. Muir not only outlines ‘what is,’ but it helps to determine ‘what next?’ with specific recommendations for intervention that will positively impact outcomes so that potential can be more consistently revealed.

Documentation: Once a student has been formally evaluated, the student and the family will be provided with a report. This documentation describes the history of the school experience and helps to provide a rationale for student school educational services and accommodations. Documentation also is necessary when applying for consideration for accommodations on college and graduate school entrance examinations (e.g., SAT, ACT, LSAT etc) or in the workplace.