Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between a school evaluation and a private educational evaluation?
Q: How long does the full testing process take, and what happens during the evaluation?
The time required for an evaluation depends on the specific assessment requested and the client’s individual needs.
- Comprehensive Individual Assessment (CIA): As our most in-depth service, the CIA requires the most time. The assessment sessions can range from several hours to several days to complete, depending on the client.
- ADHD/Executive Functioning Evaluation: The client portion of this assessment typically takes 2–3 hours. However, the final results depend significantly on the timely submission of the requested Rating Scales from parents and teachers.
- Vocational Evaluation: This evaluation is completed in two main parts: a personal interview (usually 45 minutes to 1 hour) and an online questionnaire (about 1 hour).
We prioritize developing a strong, collaborative relationship with each client. This deep connection allows us to look beyond the quantitative data to integrate personal context, resulting in a more comprehensive and truly personalized evaluation report.
Q: At what age should I consider getting my child tested for Dyslexia or ADHD?
Q: What is Brain Coaching, and how is it different from traditional tutoring?
Brain Coaching utilizes computerized, brain-based learning techniques designed by a neuropsychologist and grounded in modern neuroscientific research on how the brain processes information and learns.
Key Benefits and Foundations:
- Evidence-Based Effectiveness: Research strongly supports the effectiveness and value of this cognitive training for all ages.
- Significant Improvement: Clients—including school/college students and older adults—often achieve significant pre-to-post improvements across several key areas:
- Visual and auditory working memory
- Verbal encoding and reading comprehension
- Attention, behavior, and certain cognitive skills (like bookkeeping)
- Holistic Intervention: This training employs engaging video technology to deliver greater overall interventions, effectively remediating areas of weakness while simultaneously supporting existing strengths.
- Engaging and Fun: A significant advantage is that the exercises are often seen as enjoyable and motivating, minimizing boredom and ensuring consistent participation.
I strongly encourage incorporating this cognitive training into your or your child’s daily activities to support lifelong learning and performance.
Q: How do I know if the intervention or tutoring program we choose is truly effective?
Expect to see measurable improvement in learning efficiency, coupled with a significant boost in self-confidence that fosters a positive outlook in academic, professional, and personal spheres.
Q: After testing, what are the 'next steps' and who should be on my support team?
To ensure the best outcomes, I strongly encourage sharing the final evaluation report with everyone involved in your child’s care and education. This includes teachers, school counselors, principals, doctors, and other specialists. For school settings, it is essential to schedule a team meeting promptly to thoroughly review the findings and develop an action plan for implementing the personalized recommendations.
Q: How can I effectively advocate for accommodations (504 Plan/IEP) in my child's school?
Sharing the evaluation report with the appropriate school personnel—typically the Counselor, Principal, or Educational Diagnostician—should immediately trigger a formal meeting. The purpose of this meeting is to review the findings and implement the personalized recommendations. The school will utilize the appropriate campus options available to support your child, such as developing a General Education 504 Plan or initiating services through a Special Education IEP (Individualized Education Program).
Client Testimonials
Deciding to pursue an evaluation or specialized training is a significant step. Don’t just take my word for the transformative results—read authentic stories from children, students, and adults who partnered with me to overcome their academic and professional hurdles. Their successes in navigating ADHD, Dyslexia, and Learning Disabilities speak directly to the power of targeted expertise and the potential we can unlock together.
“Mary was incredible. We received very personalized attention and feedback. We are super grateful for her insight. Now we have a very thorough report to give the teachers and doctors so we can make positive changes to help our child.”
“My son was having trouble in 4th grade as the curriculum got harder. He had gotten in the habit of going through his work so quickly that he was making many mistakes and getting bad grades. This training gave him the focus that he needed to improve his grades and his confidence. Because of this he also is enjoying school much more than before.”
“Cognitive training (from the Dallas Brain Coach) helped both of our children to cut through the noise and get their tasks done. They are getting more out of school now and having more fun doing it.”
“After completing the Brain Training Program, my daughter’s focusing ability greatly improved, she was much more organized, and she was better able to complete assigned tasks in a timely manner. Her self-confidence soared as well!”
“Our son did not want to go see you because he has severe test anxiety. However, he later mentioned that you were quite kind and that it was not so bad. I appreciate you working with him. He liked spending time with you, and he still talks about you!”
Let’s Learn Together!
If you or your loved one is facing academic or professional hurdles, the time to act is now. My specialized evaluations and brain training expertise are designed to provide clear, actionable insights into challenges like Dyslexia, Executive Functioning deficits, and Learning Disabilities. I am ready to partner with you to develop a powerful plan that unlocks potential and secures a foundation for lifelong achievement.
