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Developmental Evaluation

A developmental evaluation includes an in-depth assessment of your child's overall functioning. This is to assist in determining the need for an Exceptional Education Program. The evaluation will be completed by a speech-language pathologist and an educational diagnostician.  School social workers, school psychologists, vision and hearing teachers, occupational therapists,and physical therapists are available  to observe, consult, and evaluate when needed. Areas to be assessed will include:

• Social /Emotional-interaction with peers and/or adults and the ability to follow directions.

• Adaptive- toileting, dressing, feeding, and attending to tasks.

• Gross Motor- large motor movements such as running, jumping, and skipping.

• Fine Motor-small motor movements such as cutting, drawing, and stringing beads.

• Communication- ability to understand spoken language, express wants and needs clearly, and follow directions.

• Pre-Academic Skills- early learning skills such as matching, memory skills, counting, and naming colors.

• Upon arrival, you will meet the evaluation team that will work with you and your child.

• Bring  your most current medical or therapy reports. This information could be helpful to the evaluation team.

• During the evaluation:

  •  the speech-language pathologist will assess your child's articulation (the way s/he pronounces words), language (the way your child puts words together to express him/herself; the way your child understands what is said to him/her), and social communication skills.

  • the educational diagnostician will assess your child's pre-academic skills, gross and fine motor skills, and adaptive and social skills.

  • the school psychologist and social worker are available to observe, consult and evaluate your child when needed.

• After the evaluation, a staffing appointment will be scheduled. At this staffing, evaluation results will be discussed along with the programs and services your child may be eligible for. If your child is eligible for a program, an Individual Educational Plan (IEP) will be developed at this meeting.

Our goal is to see children at their best. You can help by following the suggestions below:

• Be sure your child has a good night sleep the night before your scheduled evaluation.

• Make sure s/he has a healthy breakfast or lunch, depending on your evaluation time.

• Pack a favorite snack and/or drink to bring with you.

• Bring any reports or current updates from doctors, therapists, and/or daycare teachers working with your child.

• Bring a favorite toy.

• Reassure your child it will be a fun morning/afternoon playing games.