Services & Programs

Evaluations

The occupational therapist and audiologist conduct a comprehensive evaluation prior to the start of any program. This process begins with the initial intake and comprehensive questionnaire. Based on your child's age and the presenting information, decisions are made concerning what is the best way to evaluate your child.

During the occupational therapy evaluation, standardized testing, clinical observations and parent interview are used to determine responses to sensory stimulation (movement, touch, etc.), motor skills, participation in activities of daily living, and school performance. A brief vision screening may also be performed to determine if your child is using his/her eyes well. Informal observations of your child's play skills and interaction are often used; you may be asked to be a part of this process as you engage your child in a play situation while the therapist observes. If your child has special challenges or is not the appropriate age for certain tests, these observations or other assessment methods can provide useful evaluative information.

An auditory processing disorder is often a misunderstood problem because many of the symptoms also appear in other conditions such as learning disabilities and attention deficit disorders. Auditory processing difficulties are often described as a decrease in auditory abilities even though hearing is normal.

Observations and checklists can be helpful if families or school personnel suspect a child to have an auditory processing disorder, but the only way to diagnose an individual with an auditory processing disorder is to have a thorough evaluation by an audiologist.

For a child to be evaluated for an auditory processing disorder, he/she needs to be at least five years of age. The evaluation will assess both the peripheral and central auditory systems using a variety of tests. Peripheral hearing tests determine if a child has a hearing loss. Assessment of the central auditory system evaluates the child's ability to respond under different conditions of auditory signal distortion and competition.

Results of the testing allow the audiologist to identify strengths and weaknesses in the child's auditory system that can then be used to develop educational and remedial intervention strategies.

Contact Us to schedule your confidential evaluation.