the assessment process

Parents complete a 15-30 minute complimentary consultation call with Dr. Deotto in order to guide next steps. This call aims to better understand the needs of the child or youth. Collaboratively, we will determine which services would be most beneficial. 

Once the appropriate assessment type has been determined and consent is provided, the first step will be an interview. During this meeting, Dr. Deotto will speak with the family to gather a detailed understanding of the child or youth’s developmental history, school and academic experiences, cognitive strengths and challenges, social–emotional functioning, family background, and the specific concerns that prompted the assessment. With the family’s permission, Dr. Deotto may also speak separately with teachers or other professionals who know the child/youth well to gather additional helpful information.

Dr. Deotto will review any available and relevant records pertaining to the child or youth's development (e.g., sensorimotor and speech-language services), medical and neurological history (e.g., neuroimaging reports), school history and academic performance (e.g., report cards).

Standardized, evidence-based assessment tools will be used to understand the child or youth’s current functioning. For example, in a psychoeducational assessment, Dr. Deotto administers tests that directly evaluate academic skills, memory, learning, attention, intellectual reasoning, and related areas. All assessments are comprehensive and tailored to address the referral question. Parents and teachers also complete standardized questionnaires to provide additional insight into the child’s functioning across home and school settings.

During the feedback meeting, Dr. Deotto explains the assessment results in a clear and approachable manner so families can fully understand what the findings mean. Dr. Deotto will walk you through your child’s profile, highlighting strengths, areas requiring support, and what the findings mean for school and everyday life. Any applicable diagnoses will be shared and discussed. She will also review recommended strategies, interventions, accommodations, and resources, and will answer any questions you may have.

Following the feedback session, families receive a detailed written report that summarizes the full assessment process and clearly explains the findings. This comprehensive report includes background information, test results, a description of strengths and challenges, and any diagnoses when appropriate. It also provides individualized, practical recommendations tailored to the assessment type (e.g., school/education planning and interventions). The report is designed to be clear, informative, and useful for sharing with educators, healthcare providers, or other professionals involved in supporting the child or youth.