Gentry PBS provides comprehensive, diagnostic evaluations to help identify and understand a child’s strengths and needs. Testing also helps to provide a better understanding of a child’s behavior and learning. The goal of a comprehensive evaluation is for parents to have a complete understanding of their child’s current functioning, diagnosis, and treatment needs. Information is gathered through a variety of sources, and often includes a diagnostic clinical interview with parents; direct testing of intelligence, academic achievement, executive functioning skills, phonological processing, speech and language, and/or the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule); interviews with teachers and related service providers, and social-emotional and behavioral questionnaires. Gentry PBS also conducts observations in the natural setting, such as school, home, or a community location, when appropriate. Once evaluations are completed, parents are provided with a comprehensive evaluation report. We will meet with parents for a feedback session to go over all assessment results and recommendations, and answer any questions you may have.
Some children, especially those at-risk of autism spectrum disorder, do not perform or act as they typically might when they are observed or evaluated in traditional doctor’s office or medical setting. If necessary for younger children, Autism Spectrum diagnostic evaluations can also be conducted in a different, more natural environment, while still using the “Gold Standard” in autism spectrum diagnostic instruments in the field of psychology.
Gentry PBS has experience in working with and diagnosing many childhood challenges and disabilities including, but not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder, AD/HD, Learning Disorders and/or Dyslexia, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Conduct Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Selective Mutism, and Attachment Disorder. Additionally, Gentry PBS conducts testing for giftedness.
It is common for parents to be aware that something is not quite right with their child, though they may not know exactly what type of evaluation is needed. It is our job at Gentry PBS to help determine what type of testing will be important based on the parents’ concerns, which we discuss extensively during the clinical interview.
Comprehensive psychological assessment requires several hours of testing. Evaluations are usually completed over the course of one day, with frequent breaks provided. However, assessments can also be broken up over multiple days if that is more manageable for the child. Our behaviorally-oriented psychologists are skilled in utilizing positive behavior reinforcement strategies and motivating children who have difficulties with standardized testing. Appointments can be scheduled to accommodate special needs. Prior to scheduling, we ask that you first complete our intake and consent forms, located on our website.
