Evaluations
Where do I begin?
To initiate the evaluation process, please complete a history form (as an MS Word .doc or as an Adobe .pdf). Once the form is filled out, submit your history form to schedulingcoordinator@mccartoncenter.com, and after reviewing this information, The McCarton Center staff will schedule a psychological/cognitive evaluation for your child.
Psychological/Cognitive Evaluation
Psychological/Cognitive Evaluation will include a series of standardized tests to determine each child’s strengths and weaknesses. At the Center, psychological evaluations are administered by trained developmental licensed psychologists. Depending on the age and concern of the child, the testing can last for one session (2 hours) up to 5 sessions (10 hours). The testing session is filmed and downloaded to our central server. Strict security protocol is in place to ensure that only authorized personnel have access to the films.
Dr. McCarton reviews each digital tape and meets with the psychologist to discuss his/her findings. She will also meet with each family and child in an unstructured visit where the child can play and be observed while Dr. McCarton interviews the parents. The child’s history is discussed and the child is given a physical and neurological evaluation. At this meeting, the results of the psychological evaluation are reviewed with the family.
If enough information has been obtained, a diagnosis and specific treatment plan is developed for discussion with the parents. If more diagnostic information is needed, additional assessments will be scheduled, which may include:
Speech and Language Evaluation
Occupational Therapy Evaluation
Sensory Integration Evaluation
School or Home Visits
Once these additional assessments are complete, The McCarton Center will meet with parents again and recommend a treatment plan.
School Visits
Many children who are having difficulties in school, behaviorally and/or academically, are referred to The McCarton Center. In addition to a cognitive evaluation, often a school visit is necessary to observe the child’s performance in a classroom environment. These visits are conducted by Dr. McCarton or the licensed psychologist who performed the educational/cognitive evaluation.
Home Visits
Home visits by McCarton Center staff members are recommended for a number of reasons: to evaluate the home therapy program a child is receiving, to observe the child's performance in a different environment, to help parents to address problematic behaviors occurring in the home setting or to generalize skills a child learns in a 1:1 therapy session.
