At the Catalyst Center we practice Collaborative/Therapeutic Assessment, a well-researched, individualized approach to assessment that has been shown to be beneficial to those who participate in it. We use assessment as an opportunity for brief treatment geared towards answering your questions and planning your next steps towards living the life you desire. Check out this weekly blog series highlighting The Catalyst Center’s approach to assessment and what types of testing we can do for you.
Children’s Assessment
Emotional and Behavioral Issues
Sometimes a child is struggling at home, at school, or with friendships and we aren’t sure why. It isn’t uncommon for people who don’t know better to pin labels on a kid who is struggling such as “lazy” or “ADD” or “undisciplined.” In our extensive experience, when a child is struggling, there is always a reason why. Understanding that “why” is the key to discovering how to help your child find his or her path towards a healthy and successful life.
A well-done assessment will give you a clear and accurate picture of your child’s strengths and challenges emotionally, socially, and academically. This information can demystify why they are struggling even when you try everything you can think of to help. With the assessment results, we are able to tailor a detailed plan just for your child with concrete suggestions and recommendations to help you get unstuck as a parent, and help your child get on a happy and successful path.
Learning Disabilities and ADHD
We excel at assessing children who may have Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) or a Learning Disability. We use a comprehensive, collaborative approach to assessment that focuses on identifying your child’s strengths, and offering research-based recommendations and finding realistic solutions for their challenges.
An incredibly important part of a good ADHD or Learning Disability evaluation is ruling out other mental health issues or emotional conditions that can mimic the symptoms of ADHD or Learning Disabilities. We take accurate diagnosis very seriously, and are careful to provide a comprehensive assessment that looks at your child’s emotional functioning as well has his or her attention and learning abilities to make sure that we are making helpful recommendations and accurately identifying the “source” behind the problem behaviors.
Giftedness and “Twice Exceptional Children”
People who are highly intelligent are not immune to learning disabilities and ADHD. Often gifted students with learning disabilities or ADHD are missed because their high intelligence allows them to cope better in academics than many of their peers. People who are both highly intelligent and have a learning disability are often referred to as “twice exceptional.” If you feel you or your child may be in this category, call The Catalyst Center to learn how an assessment could help you learn more about your abilities and discover ways to reach your full potential.
