Dr. Bahador specializes in comprehensive psycho-educational assessments with children and adolescents. The assessment process includes the following:

 

- 2-hour clinical interview with parents (to assess presenting concerns, gather history and finalize assessment/tests to administer).

- Review of academic and previous assessment records.

- Parent and teacher questionnaires

- Testing administration with student (typically 2 days)

- Phone communication with educators, physicians and/or therapists (as needed).

- 2-hour parent feedback meeting to review the assessment results and provide recommendations for treatment and/or recommendations.

- Comprehensive written assessment report, with recommendations for treatment and/or academic accommodations, if applicable.

​

The number of hours required for testing depends on the age of the student (children usually 8 to 9 hours of testing; adolescents usually 10 to 11 hours of testing). The testing administration process involves question and answer tests, paper and pencil tasks, computerized tests, interactive activities, self-report questionnaires and clinical interviews.

​

Dr. Bahador works very well with children and adolescents, including those with special needs. She offers a safe and supportive environment to make the testing process a positive and engaging experience for children of all ages. She treats children and adolescents with tremendous respect, understanding and compassion. This enables them to feel comfortable during the testing process and also motivates them to try their best, which helps to obtain the most accurate results.

 

The comprehensive psycho-educational assessments clarify diagnoses (if appropriate) and help with determining factors that affect a child's ability to succeed academically and socially.  Assessments also help to understand a student's learning profile, including strengths and challenges. During the parent (or adult client) feedback session, Dr. Bahador explains all of the assessment results (including strengths and challenges and any diagnoses) and provides specific recommendations for interventions and/or academic accommodations (as applicable based on the results). She also addresses any questions that parents/individuals may have and provides appropriate referrals, as needed.

This information enables parents, teachers and treatment providers to offer students the interventions and support they need so they can function optimally: educationally, socially and personally.  Dr. Bahador believes that it is important to identify and highlight the unique strengths of each student in order to build on them.  These strengths often become an important source of self-confidence and self-esteem, especially for students with learning differences.

 

Dr. Bahador offers valuable guidance to parents so their child/adolescent can function optimally academically, socially, and emotionally.

​

Areas that may be evaluated during an assessment based on the presenting questions and concerns:

• Intellectual (IQ testing) in all intellectual domains: verbal, visual spatial, fluid reasoning, working memory and processing speed

• Adaptive functioning

• Learning/Academic skills in reading, writing and math

• Attention

• Executive functioning (i.e., planning, organization, working memory, self-monitoring)

• Language

• Fine Motor 

• Social/Emotional functioning

 

In children and adolescents, assessments may be helpful in identifying the presence of:

• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Learning Disorders (i.e., Dyslexia)

• Language Disorders

• Psychiatric issues (i.e., anxiety, depression)

 

As an expert diagnostician, Dr. Bahador understands the importance of accurate assessment and diagnoses in order to guide treatment, but she also appreciates that each individual has unique characteristics and strengths that need to be highlighted.  After conducting comprehensive assessments with hundreds and hundreds of children, adolescents and young adults over the past 25 years, Dr. Bahador has been witness to the accomplishments (and relief) of students once they receive the appropriate interventions and/or accommodations. She believes that the purpose of an assessment is not to simply “label” children, but to better understand how they learn, think, and feel. Dr. Bahador is keenly aware that challenges such as learning disabilities or ADHD do not have to limit a student’s educational, interpersonal or professional success. Many individuals with such issues often possess unique strengths that they can use to overcome their challenges, and along with the appropriate support they can experience high levels of success and life satisfaction.

​

Dr. Bahador has a waiting list for comprehensive assessments. Please contact the office for more information. 

​