Learning Disability Evaluations Fortuna Foothills, CO
Learning Disability Evaluations Fortuna Foothills, CO
Learning disabilities can make it difficult for children to keep up with their peers in school. If you suspect that your child is struggling with a learning disability, it’s important to take action as soon as possible. Dr. Joshua Shifrin is a licensed neuropsychologist located in Fortuna Foothills, CO, who specializes in pediatric/school neuropsychological evaluations (Ages 5-25). Dr. Shifrin provides a comprehensive range of diagnostic services to help you identify your child’s learning needs and develop effective intervention strategies.
Our Services
Learning Disability Testing in Fortuna Foothills, CO
If your child is struggling to read, write, spell, or perform math skills, they may have a learning disability. Dr. Shifrin offers a variety of tests to assess your child’s cognitive and academic skills, including reading fluency, comprehension, writing speed, and math calculations, to determine the nature and severity of their learning disability.
At our facility in Fortuna Foothills, CO, Dr. Shifrin provides customized testing and evaluation based on your child’s age, cognitive abilities, and academic strengths and weaknesses. He then uses this data to create individualized educational plans that include strategies for improving academic performance and enhancing learning potential.
Nonverbal Learning Disability Assessments in Fortuna Foothills, CO
Some children struggle with nonverbal learning disabilities (NVLD) that impact their social skills, visual-spatial recognition, and motor coordination. These children tend to have exceptional verbal skills but may struggle with tasks that involve spatial reasoning, balance, or coordination.
Dr. Shifrin also specializes in conducting NVLD assessments to identify these deficits and provide intervention programs to help children overcome these challenges. With these tests, Dr. Shifrin can pinpoint specific areas of cognitive functioning that need intervention and develop individualized treatment plans to enhance academic and social skills.
Autism & Asperger’s Evaluations in Fortuna Foothills, CO
With the increasing prevalence of Autism and Asperger’s in the population, early diagnosis and treatment are essential to give children the best chance at success in life. Dr. Shifrin can evaluate children for Autism and Asperger’s using a variety of assessment tools to assess their social skills, communication skills, and repetitive behaviors.
With the knowledge gained from his studies, Dr. Shifrin can recommend the most effective strategies to help children overcome limitations, maximize their strengths, and live fulfilling, productive lives.
ADD & ADHD Testing in Fortuna Foothills, CO
Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) are common in children and can have detrimental impacts on academic and social functioning. Dr. Shifrin offers comprehensive testing and diagnosis for these conditions, utilizing a range of tests to assess attention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity in children.
Dr. Shifrin can diagnose attention issues that impact a child’s ability to focus, prioritize tasks, and complete assignments. He can also offer recommendations for treatment and therapy to enhance a child’s attention, motivation, and performance in school.
Benefits of Our Services
- Comprehensive evaluations tailored to your child’s learning needs
- Access to customized treatment plans tailored to your child’s specific cognitive and academic abilities
- Expertise in diagnosing a range of learning disabilities, including ADD, ADHD, NVLD, Autism, and Asperger’s syndrome
- The tools and knowledge to help your child overcome challenges and reach their full potential
Call Today For Available Appointments
If you believe that your child may have a learning disability or need comprehensive neuropsychological testing, contact Dr. Joshua Shifrin today at 860-966-0309 to schedule an appointment in Fortuna Foothills, CO. By taking action now, you can help your child achieve success in school and in their life as a whole.
Frequently Asked Questions
Pediatric neuropsychology deals with the relationship between children’s learning and behavior as it relates to their brain structure and systems. Our training in school neuropsychology allows us to take findings and make recommendations for school and community-based accommodations and supports. Learning disabilities, or other brain-based conditions, do not mean that your child is incapable of learning, gaining knowledge, or obtaining skills; instead it means that different methods of teaching or therapies must be utilized to help build skills and promote growth.
Pediatric neuropsychologists are licensed psychologists who have developed expertise in how the development of a child’s brain relates to, and impacts, their learning, behavior, and social-emotional development. They evaluate clients using a variety of assessment techniques, analyze test results, and devise targeted educational or treatments plans.
We tailor each assessment based on the referral questions or concerns presented. In general, the neuropsychological evaluation is conducted in order to assess a child’s strengths and weaknesses in neuropsychological, cognitive, and academic areas. Assessment of additional domains, such as adaptive functioning, social-emotional functioning, language and communication, and/or other areas may also be included depending on the needs of the individual. Parents and teachers are often asked to complete rating scales of behavior and skills. A developmental history and interview techniques also allow the psychologist to get a more complete picture of the child and the presenting concerns. The data from these various sources is integrated, and results are explained in a detailed report. When the assessment is completed, we meet with you to review all of the results and findings. We provide guidance and recommendations for interventions in the home setting, school setting, and community. Even if testing does not lead to a formal diagnosis, we provide detailed recommendations for improvement based on individual strengths and weaknesses. The neuropsychological report can be shared, with your permission, with other providers to help access the most appropriate treatments and interventions.
While we specialize in assessments for individuals who are currently, or planning to be, in a school setting, we will work with adults if the presenting concerns fall under an area where we have specialization. For example, an adult assessment may be appropriate for ADHD, Learning Disabilities, or Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The majority of our clients are pre-school through college students, including individuals who may be homeschooled. However, we often work with adults with a history of a known or suspected brain-based disability, who are in need of initial or updated testing for college or graduate school entrance exams. Adults may also need testing to qualify for appropriate accommodations within a higher education setting.
Your child should not prepare for cognitive (IQ) or other tests. In fact, exposing your child to similar test questions or materials can make their scores invalid. The best thing to do is to have your child have a good night’s rest and eat a healthy breakfast. They can bring snacks with them to have during breaks.
You can tell your child about the assessment using developmentally appropriate language that is tailored to the concern. For example, “you are going to play games and complete activities to learn more about how your brain works.” Please ask us if you would like ideas based on your child’s specific needs. We also always talk to the children about the process at the start of the assessment and answer any questions.
A full neuropsychological evaluation generally takes about 6-8 hours of direct testing. This occurs over 1-3 sessions, usually depending on the child’s age and presenting concerns. There is also an initial intake session, and a feedback session once the report is complete.
Gifted students, with or without additional exceptionalities, have unique needs in the schools and community. We love to work with gifted children and their families to provide an understanding of their cognitive and academic capabilities, along with a comprehensive understanding of their social and emotional needs. Reports for gifted individuals can be used to help advocate for your child within the school system, or to help plan appropriately for home schooling or private placements.
When working with twice exceptional children, we understand that individual scores do not always paint the full picture of a child’s unique abilities. We use dynamic assessment techniques to understand what your child can do under a variety of conditions, and to help plan and select the most appropriate interventions to help your child reach their potential.
In order to receive accommodations on any of the College Board examinations, students must provide recent testing and documentation of a qualifying disability. Depending on the type and severity of the disability, different testing accommodations may be provided. Common accommodations include extended time, larger print, access to a reader or scribe, visual supports, or a reduced distraction environment. When we write our reports and suggested recommendations for testing accommodations or services, we provide clear rationales for recommendations based on testing observations and results. Testing companies approve accommodation requests on a case-by-case basis, so we cannot guarantee approval of every request. However, we will make sure we provide the level of detail and quality required by testing companies and college settings.
Information
Joshua Shifrin, PhD, ABSNP, NCSP
Office Address:
2 West Northfield Rd. Suite 201A Livingston, NJ 07039
Mailing Address:
52 Holiday Dr. West Caldwell, NJ 07006
Neuropsychological Evaluations
Available Remotely for NY & NJ
860-966-0309
drshifrin@yahoo.com
Thank you for visiting the online office of Dr. Joshua Shifrin. Dr. Shifrin is a licensed psychologist in New Jersey, a Diplomate of the American Board of School Neuropsychology, as well as a Nationally Certified School Psychologist, who specializes in pediatric/school neuropsychological evaluations Ages 5-25. Please feel free to view this website for more information about the services Dr. Shifrin can provide for you, and your child.