When a school or physician recommends testing a child for learning and behavioral problems, developmental delays or other disabilities, you can count on us for a comprehensive interdisciplinary evaluation.
Our team of pediatric specialists is extremely skilled in providing diagnostic evaluations and planning a course of action for progressive rehabilitation. Even children with the most challenging and complex developmental and physical disabilities benefit from our help.
Evaluations are conducted on children from birth through adolescence.
Evaluations determine the need for therapy services and, if therapy is indicated, the frequency and intensity of therapy services.
The specific type of evaluation needed is determined through the intake process.
Diagnostic evaluations performed include:
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Speech/Language/Feeding Therapy
Evaluations are conducted by pediatric speech pathologists to assess speech, language, voice, stuttering and oral motor-feeding concerns. Hearing and Central Auditory Processing Evaluations are scheduled through the Audiology Department at JFK Medical Center.
Pediatric modified barium swallow studies are performed by our oral motor-feeding specialists in order to diagnose dysphagia and oral motor
dysfunction.
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Physical Therapy
Neuromuscular and Orthopedic evaluations: The physical therapist performs an evaluation based on data gathered during an examination comprised of the patient's history, a review of relevant systems (musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, integumentary and cardiopulmonary) and appropriate tests and measurements. The physical therapist will assess strength, range of motion, endurance, balance, coordination and gross motor skills, as well as equipment and orthotic needs.
The physical therapist will, with the family, predict an optimal level of improvement in function and the amount of time needed to achieve that level. A plan of care establishing goals and outcomes to remediate impairments, minimize functional limitation, optimize health, prevent disability and optimize patient satisfaction is designed by the family, therapist and referring physician.
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Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy evaluations assess fine and gross motor skills, neuromuscular status, postural control, visual motor integration skills, oculomotor skills, activities of daily living or self-help skills (e.g. feeding, toileting, dressing, etc.) and the ability to process sensory information from the body and the environment. All of these areas provide a foundation for a child to function effectively in his or her world.
Sensory integration evaluations focus more specifically on a child's ability to interpret and respond to varied types of sensory information, such as vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch, muscles, joints, movement, gravity or body in space. As a child develops, information from these senses combines and enables the child to adapt to new situations and environments.
Wheelchair/Seating/Adapted Equipment assessments are provided by a team of professionals trained in seating and positioning. These assessments identify individualized equipment that may help a child participate more effectively in their home, school and community environments.
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Learning Disability Evaluation
The Learning Disability Evaluation, conducted by a learning disability consultant, evaluates the child's strengths, needs and learning style. This evaluation compares performance to age/grade expectations and provides a profile of the student's abilities across academic domains. The evaluation looks at processing and approach to learning tasks, as well as outcome.
- Psychology/Social Work
Psychological evaluation
may encompass a broad array of domains, according to the referral questions. Intelligence testing provides a measure of the child's basic ability and a profile of strengths and weaknesses within the cognitive domains. Projective and personality testing evaluate the child's emotional functioning. Psychologists may also diagnose children with Autism/PDD and ADHD. Psychologists also evaluate social and adaptive behavior.
Psychosocial evaluation is conducted by psychologists and social workers to evaluate child and family adjustment and child behavior. This problem-focused evaluation is the intake mechanism for families requesting psychotherapy services and behavioral counseling.
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Child Study Team
Child Study Team evaluations are provided at school district and/or parental request, to assist parents and districts in developing educational plans. The Child Study Team evaluation team is determined based on the questions being asked by the parents and district and the profile of the student. The evaluation is multidisciplinary with a conference held with evaluators, parents and school district personnel to discuss findings and recommendations. The evaluation team may be comprised of any or all of the aforementioned disciplines.
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