Assessments, Testing, & Evaluations

The SMart Center takes a comprehensive approach with assessments for individuals of all ages who suffer from a wide array of disorders/concerns including but not limited to Selective Mutism, social/general anxiety, depression, behavioral concerns, learning concerns, dyslexia, speech and language, developmental disorders (I.e. Autism), and ADHD.

Our center believes in taking a ‘whole-person approach’ with assessments, diagnoses, and treatment. We treat the individual, not a symptom or diagnosis. We interview caregivers and gather an array of information from educators to learn about an individual’s developmental and academic history.  Our clinicians are trained to specifically assess and rule out diagnoses such as Selective Mutism, ADHD, dyslexia, learning disorders, and Autism Spectrum Disorder.

For children, adolescents, and young adults with Selective Mutism, the following assessments and evaluations can be tailored to accommodate and accurately test an individual who suffers in silence.

Types of Assessments & Evaluations Offered

  • Selective Mutism*
  • Speech & Language Evaluation
  • Autism Assessment and Diagnosis (ADOS-2 & ADI-R)
  • ADHD, Behavior, Developmental, & Early Childhood Assessments
  • Psychoeducational Testing
  • Neurological Assessments
  • School Accommodations, Learning Styles, Test Anxiety, Academic Achievement, I.Q. Testing, Gifted Program Evaluations, Private School Admission
  • Dyslexia/Dysgraphia
  • IEE – Independent Educational Evaluation

Descriptions below

Why Consider Assessment Services for Your Loved One?

  • Mutism
  • Academics
  • Behavior
  • Attention and focus
  • Staying on task
  • Organization
  • Memory
  • Learning letter names and sounds
  • Communication
  • Social relationships
  • Transitions or changes
  • School anxiety/avoidance
  • Regulating mood/emotions

*Our research and 20+ years of clinical experience tells us that there are factors that contribute to the development of an individual’s Selective Mutism and/or social communication difficulties. In most cases these factors continue or minimally improve without accurate assessment and treatment. To help an individual overcome Selective Mutism and social communication difficulties, we need to fully understand him/her. We know it can be hard to accurately assess those individuals who aren’t comfortable verbalizing to just anyone. Our specialists will uncover the underlying contributing factors to your loved one’s social communication challenges so we can tackle them together. Most professionals find it challenging to test a person who “doesn’t talk” or who does not participate in testing. If these professionals are unable to test an individual, how can it be determined if the individual is suffering with additional and/or contributing challenges to a his/her mutism? We understand; that is our specialty.

Descriptions of Assessments & Evaluations

This evaluation is a part of our Intensive S-CAT® Program. This is a comprehensive social communication evaluation and treatment program that is designed for preschool and school-aged children as well as young adults who are having social communication challenges due to selective mutism, social anxiety, social communication (pragmatic) disorder, or extreme shyness.

The SMart Center offers comprehensive speech and language evaluations conducted by certified and licensed speech-language pathologists tailored for children with social communication challenges from preschool through high school years.This evaluation includes standardized and informal measures to appropriately assess the oral mechanism, speech sound articulation, speech production during co-articulation, receptive and expressive language (understanding language and expressing oneself at an age-appropriate level involving semantics, syntax, morphology, and/or pragmatic language), voice (pitch, quality, and loudness), and fluency of speech (rate and rhythm). The series of assessment tools vary depending on the individualized needs of the child. All testing is conducted by an ASHA certified and PA licensed speech-language pathologist.The speech-language pathologists at the SMart Center are well qualified to properly assess children’s speech and language skills. They hold a Master’s or Doctoral degree and have many years of experience treating children with speech-language needs, including those with Selective Mutism. All speech-language pathologists at the SMart Center have experience working with children who have selective mutism and know how to evaluate and engage those with social communication disorders. Typically involves 3-4 hours of testing.

We specialize in children with Selective Mutism and have developed a research-based protocol:

This evaluation is designed specifically for young children to determine whether or not they have an autism spectrum disorder. We utilize the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) as well as the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R) which are the Gold-Standard for diagnosing Autism. It includes a comprehensive clinical interview and developmental history, review of records, a full battery of testing, not just a screening tool, a comprehensive report with recommendations and referral options for next steps, and a feedback session.

This evaluation is designed for preschool and school-age children and adolescents who are having difficulties in school. The results of this evaluation can be helpful in determining whether a child needs (or continues to need) special education and related services. Additionally, this evaluation helps to pinpoint the specific problems that are contributing to academic difficulties so that appropriate interventions can be identified. This evaluation includes a comprehensive clinical interview and developmental history, review of records, measures of intellectual functioning and academic achievement, social-emotional screening measures, a psychoeducational report, and a feedback session. 4-6 hours of testing

This comprehensive evaluation is designed for school-age children, adolescents, and adults to help identify areas of neuropsychological strength and weakness. This evaluation assesses multiple areas of functioning in order to provide a thorough picture of an individual’s cognitive functioning. All neuropsychological evaluations include a comprehensive clinical interview and developmental history, review of records, measures of intellectual functioning, a neuropsychological report, and a feedback session. In addition, neuropsychological evaluations typically include assessment of the following areas of functioning (may vary depending on the age or level of functioning of the individual): language and verbal reasoning, nonverbal and visual-spatial reasoning, attention, executive functioning, memory and learning, fine motor and visual-motor integration skills, and social-emotional functioning. 6-8 hours of testing