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Assessment | Consultation | Counseling

Counseling

Summit Center offers various evaluations ranging in scope. Evaluations, also known as assessments, may be narrow in scope (i.e., IQ testing) or comprehensive, assessing a child’s multiple levels of functioning (i.e., intellectual, academic, neuropsychological, social, emotional, behavioral). Each evaluation is tailored based on the goals for the assessment and questions to be answered.

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Types of assessments include:

Intellectual

Also known as IQ testing, intellectual assessment measures a child’s overall cognitive potential, as well as levels of functioning in the areas of verbal problem-solving, non-verbal (visual-spatial) problem-solving, working memory, and processing speed. IQ tests include the Wechsler Primary Preschool Scale of Intelligence – Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV), Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children- Fifth Edition (WISC-V); and Wechsler Adult Intelligence Test – Fourth Edition (WAIS-IV).

Achievement

Achievement testing assesses the level of knowledge a child has in the areas of math, reading, spelling, and writing. When assessing for a possible learning issue and/or level of current knowledge, academic testing is done in conjunction with IQ testing to determine whether a child’s cognitive potential matches his/her level of output (achievement). Achievement tests include the Woodcock-Johnson Test of Achievement – Fourth Edition and Wechsler Individual Achievement Test –Third Edition (WIAT-III). We also use additional reading, writing, and phonological processing measures when assessing for reading and writing issues.

Psycho-Educational

Psycho-Educational evaluations are designed to measure a child’s intellectual abilities as well their current levels of achievement, in the context of their personality, mood, and behavior. These evaluations include parent and child interviews, IQ and achievement testing, a personality measure, and a host of behavior measures completed by parents and teachers.

Neuropsychological

Neuropsychological testing measures several aspects of processing which include, but are not limited to attention, executive-functioning (i.e., organization and planning), memory, auditory processing, and visual-motor integration. Neuropsychological testing is a critical component of better understanding a child’s processing strengths and weaknesses when a child is having difficulty “working to their potential” and it is unclear why. Neuropsychological measures include, but are not limited to, the NEPSY, Delis-Kaplan Executive Function System (D-KEFS), Wide Range Assessment of Memory and Learning (WRAML), Test of Visual-Motor Integration, Wisconsin Card Sort, Rey Complex Figure Design, and more.

Emotional, Social, and Behavioral

A child’s emotional, social, and behavioral functioning is assessed using a variety of parent, teacher, and self-report measures, as well, as interviewing the child and parents. The questionnaires also assess personality type, learning styles, and attitude towards school and specific subjects. Further, qualitative information is gathered by observing and interacting with your child throughout the evaluation process.

Components of an evaluation:

Components included in an evaluation are based on the goals of the evaluation and the questions to be answered. Depending on the scope of the evaluation, it may include:

  • Interview with parents
  • Interview with the child
  • Approximately 2-8 hours of testing with the child
  • Questionnaires completed by parents, child, and teachers
  • Comprehensive written report with recommendations for parents and school. The recommendations often include specific educational modifications to meet the intellectual, academic, creative, and social-emotional needs of the student in – and beyond – traditional school settings.
  • Feedback session with parents
  • Feedback session with child and parents (when appropriate)
  • Consultation with Educational Consultant to discuss Academic Action Plan (when appropriate)

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How long does an evaluation take to be completed?

The amount of time it takes to complete an evaluation depends on the scope of the evaluation, amount of time needed to complete test administration, scheduling, and the number of evaluators involved in your child’s assessment. The number of weeks can range from a few weeks to 12 weeks depending on the evaluation plan specifically tailored for your child.

How much does an evaluation cost?

The cost of the evaluation is based on what is being assessed and the associated time it takes to complete the assessment.

Why have my child evaluated at Summit Center?

Summit Center evaluations distinguish themselves from others by involving several trained professionals in the evaluation process. Depending on the scope of the evaluation, up to 3 professionals collaborate to provide a comprehensive understanding of your child and a comprehensive recommendation plan.

How do I get started?

Call (925) 939-7500 or (310) 478-6505 or email inquiry@summitcenter.us to set up an initial consultation appointment and/or to learn more about our services.

Counseling

The Summit Center offers individual, family, and group counseling (also known as psychotherapy) utilizing a strength-based approach to problem-solving and optimizing growth potential through a developmental lens.

We believe counseling needs to be provided in a safe and respectful manner through a caring and holistic approach. Trust and relationship are so important for feeling safe and for change. We understand that anxiety, worry, sadness, and depression can be necessary components of growth and development. While emphasizing positive developmental pathways, we acknowledge the inevitable challenges of painful life processes and transitions. Though difficult, these challenges may become catalysts for further growth and change. We seek to enhance each individual’s capacities to connect with others, enjoy meaningful work, and discover their natural abilities for learning, growth, and increased well-being.

Our counseling services can help clients address a wide variety of issues.

In addition, we understand that individuals’ expressions of their thoughts and feelings and themselves may vary across the life span of developmental tasks. We have a lot of experience working with individuals who have “asynchronous development” as well and can address the issues of strengths simultaneously with areas of individual challenge – the whole person. We also try to see people within the context of their environment, relationships, and cultures.

Summit Center has vast experience and is a leader within the gifted and twice-exceptional field. With this unique lens, our professionals can offer a lens where those can be seen and held and understood, also essential for change.

Our approach synthesizes elements from positive psychology, cognitive-behavioral, psychodynamic, humanistic, and existential frameworks. We do what works.

Educational Therapy

Summit Center offers Educational Therapy to students at the elementary through high school level. Our trained professionals combine educational and therapeutic approaches to assist students whose learning challenges at school are not resolving.

Some issues that we address in Educational Therapy include:

  • Dyslexia and dyscalculia, or undiagnosed and unexpected problems with reading, writing and math at grade level.
  • Test-taking difficulties in spite of effort in preparation.
  • Problems with organization of materials and assignments.
  • Problems with time management, including effective homework completion.

Educational therapy is not the same as tutoring. Our work is remedial, designed to fill gaps in background, understanding, and learning strategies in order to develop independent learners. We work closely with students and families to address social and emotional as well as academic aspects of learning problems.

In addition to evaluation and remediation, we provide follow-up information to families and teachers and communicate with other specialists and professionals as needed. Formal assessments often identify a need for educational therapy and can lead to more focused and productive educational therapy.

Educational therapy uses a wide range of strategies to maximize success. In addition to drawing on our own experience and creativity, we use strategies and methods from formal programs designed to remediate and/or accommodate problems in reading and math including:

  • Barton, Wilson, LiPS, Slingerland and other Orton-Gillingham based reading methods.
  • Visualizing/Verbalizing, Seeing Stars, Neuhaus Reading Development, and other methods for reading comprehension.
  • Making Math Real®, a multi-sensory program for remediation in math.
  • Assistive technology such as Dragon Naturally Speaking.
  • T.O.P.: time management, organization and planning for developing effective executive function.

We want our clients to become independent learners who enjoy success in school and life. The ultimate goal of educational therapy is to foster

  1. integration of individual students into grade-level school programs, with or without special accommodation;
  2. effective, individualized strategies for independent learning;
  3. demonstration of understanding in testing and other performance situations;
  4. calm, confident functioning in academic settings.

We also offer Cognitive Coaching for gifted students who are not struggling in school but might still benefit from educational therapy with more of an intellectual and academic challenge. Learn more here.

Consulting for Parents

Parents of Gifted Children

  • Are you overwhelmed with all this gifted stuff?
  • Need help connecting to gifted resources?
  • Do you need help putting together an action plan?
  • Are you overwhelmed with researching schools in the SF Bay Area?
  • Do you have specific questions relating to raising or living in a gifted family?
  • Are you getting your needs met while raising a family?
  • Have you ever thought of forming your own parent gifted advocacy group in your school district?
  • Do you need help on ways to make your family life less chaotic and more organized?
  • Are you at loss how to manage your child’s collections or treasures?

Our parent consultant works with parents of gifted children, using short-term, goal-oriented meetings to help focus on reaching your aspirations.  We can help you build a “road-map” and break the task down into manageable pieces within a reasonable time frame.    We understand that you have unique needs. We understand gifted kids and adults.  Phone calls and e-mail contact between meetings are included to support you.

Parents of gifted children may benefit from participating in a Parent Discussion Group.
Parents may also be questioning if they themselves are Gifted Adults.