Psychological Tests, Assessments and School Neuropsychological EvaluationsDr. O’Connor, a Toronto psychologist, uses a range of psychological tests to increase understanding of adolescent and child problems and how to help. Psychological AssessmentsHer psychological assessments include the administration, scoring and interpretation of standardized psychological tests and assessment measures, as well as screeners and informal measures. In addition, psychological assessments include written and verbal reports. Develop an understanding of a child’s strengths. Learn what his or her needs and challenges are. Find out what is contributing to the child problems that worry you, and how to help. Psychological assessments explore cognitive and academic concerns, learning issues and emotional, behavioral and social concerns. To learn more about our psychological assessments,
click here. School Neuropsychological Evaluations.A school neuropsychological evaluation can help when a child has suffered a known or suspected neurological trauma or insult. This might include a Traumatic Brain Injury and/or concussion. Children with a history of acquired or congenital brain injury (e.g.,anoxia, meningitis or a learning disability) can also benefit from a school neuropsychological evaluation. A school neuropsychological evaluation can help children who have suffered a brain tumor, or who suffer from other medical conditions. This is, in part, due to the potential effects of required treatments and medications. These effects often require further exploration to determine the most appropriate options to help a child. A school neuropsychological evaluation also provides critical information about the needs of children with neurodevelopmental risk factors. This may include prenatal exposure to drugs and alcohol, or low birth weight and prematurity. A school neuropsychological evaluation explores brain/behaviour relationships, and how these manifest in the child's learning, emotional and behavioral concerns. It provides a comprehensive understanding of the child's or adolescent's needs, and evidence based interventions to help. This includes his or her neurological based strengths or weaknesses, as well as the nature and extent of his or her deficits. To learn more about our School Neuropsychological Evaluations,
click here. Consultations.Dr. O'Connor offers consultations to parents, professionals and organizations. Whether you are a parent or professional, Dr. O’Connor’s consultations can help you explore your concerns about a child or adolescent, and find strategies to help. She consults around a broad range of childhood and adolescent issues. These include social, emotional, behavioural and learning problems, as well as neuropsychological concerns. In some situations consultations can be conducted by telephone or on line via Skype. You can also consult with Dr. O'Connor at her Toronto office or by e-mail. To contact Dr. O'Connor to arrange or ask more about a child behavior consultation,
click here. These steps include:
Step 1: Focusing On and Defining the Problem -- including the specifics of the problem and what seems to be contributing to and maintaining it. Step 2: Psychological Tests & Assessing the Problem: Informal measures (e.g., interviews, consultations, questionnaires, screening devices) and appropriate standardized and psychological tests help "get beneath the surface" to reveal the factors that contribute to and maintain/or the problem, its extent and the nature and severity of any weaknesses the child exhibits. Step 3: Understanding the Problem: Dr. O'Connor reviews, interprets and summarizes the information gathered above to develop an understanding of the child problem. This includes why it might be happening and what to do about it. Step 4: Interventions : The assessment leads to evidence based interventions to help address the child problem that worries you. Interventions include recommendations, strategies and resources tailored to the child’s individual concerns and needs. Dr. O’Connor views the Psychological Tests or Assessment piece outlined in Step 2 as part of the intervention, and an essential, core piece of the process. With a comprehensive understanding of the problem, including what is contributing to and/or maintaining it, we can develop effective interventions, tailored to the child’s individual needs. "One size fits all" interventions are not always effective. Interventions work best when they are tailored to the specific needs of the child. Although the focus is on the problem, this process extends beyond 'what is wrong" to uncover and utilize the child's strengths and "what works" as part of the recommended interventions. Contact Dr. O'ConnorFind out whether Dr. O'Connor's
psychological tests,
or her other services can help. Presentations, Training Sessions and Work ShopsDr. O’Connor offers Training and Work Shops for parents and professionals. For a representative sample of Dr. O'Connor's presentations,
click here. You can also read our selection of case studies. Find out how Dr. O'Connor's services increase understanding of child problems and how to help. Learn more about Dr. O'Connor's services or ask questions about the psychological tests she offers or her psychological assessments, consultations and school neuropsychological evaluations. Contact Dr. O’Connor by phone (416-592-0838)or
email. Copyright 2011(c) Dianne S. O'Connor, Ed.D.All Rights Reserved. Dr. O'Connor runs her practice, Assessment Based Solutions in Toronto (Yonge & St.Clair) She can be reached at 416-592-0838. You can also contact Dr. O'Connor by
email. |
