Assessments and tests are used to determine a variety of abilities. The psychologist may use tests to determine academic achievement, ability and intelligence to establish the presence of a developmental delay, disability or giftedness, which can be used to decide on school placement, vocational ability or to track a child’s development. Speech-Language and Occupational Therapists assess specific skills or milestones in relation to children of the same age. Determining strengths and weaknesses aid the teachers and therapists to set specific goals for each student, by utilizing each students’ strengths to encourage improvement of the weaker areas.

Standardized assessments allows us to establish the students’ performance in comparison to his age-related peer group. The following is a selection of the available assessments:

1. Wechsler Individual Achievement Test, Second Edition (WIAT-II)
2. Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children, Fourth Edition (WISC V)
3. Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales, Second Edition
4. Test of Auditory Processing Skills, Third Edition (TAPS-3)
5. Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (CELF -5)
6. Developmental Test of Visual Perception (DTVP-3)
7. Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory (PEDI)
8. Peabody Developmental Motor Scales, Second Edition
9. Beery VMI, 6th Edition

Although standardized tests are of great value, they are only one element of a comprehensive assessment. They will never be used as the sole basis for a diagnosis or to determine a student’s functional level. A detailed clinical and personal history of the student and a review of psychological, medical, educational, or other relevant records or questionnaires are required to lay the groundwork for interpreting the results of any standardized measurement.

Cultural and language differences of the students will be taken in consideration as well as motivation and previous experience to a test situation, which may affect the test results. Our aim is to use the most appropriate tools to establish your child’s abilities in order to create the best educational and treatment plan for your child.