In order to ensure the success of each client, we offer a range of services designed to address the requirements of families with a special needs child.
VCA Evaluations
The goal of any evaluation is to understand a nonverbal child’s capabilities. The current standardized tests are unable to be completed by many children and as such any results from these standardized tests are unreliable. Consequently, our evaluations are designed to test if the individual is able to learn and how fast they are able to learn.
The evaluation itself takes 10 hours and is performed over five days in a specialized room to ensure that there are no biases and get a more accurate picture of the individual’s abilities. If the individual is not feeling well or did not sleep on one day, the evaluation is not swayed by a single data point. Instead we look at all the sessions over the 5 days.
Many individuals are easily overwhelmed by their environment and so we use specialized rooms for the evaluation. Each room is designed for a single client and has LED lighting and no decorations on the walls. The rooms are isolated and are relatively soundproofed.
During the evaluation we make extensive use of technology to help measure the person’s performance as well as other metrics about their learning behavior. We measure the total time they are able to concentrate as well as the average time they are able to attend to tasks before they need a break. We also measure the average time it takes to complete each type of task. We are also able to identify if there are any potential vision problems and recommend a professional vision evaluation.
Behavioral Services
The psychological theory used to understand the motivation behind any behavior is called Self Determination Theory (SDT). By using a combination of technology aided intervention and SDT, the VCA specialist is able to design a program to decrease maladaptive and self-injurious behaviors while increasing self-esteem and general psychological well-being.
At ATSC, the model of changing behavior is through cooperation and not compliance.
Parent consultation and training
These programs ensure that parents receive well-rounded training to assist their child to succeed and progress. Parental understanding and participation is essential in the progression of each client’s treatment. ATSC teaches parents how to build their children’s self-esteem while still maintaining boundaries and decreasing challenging behaviors.
Academic Tutoring
Traditional tutoring will not help your child that is suffering from behaviors, anxiety, low self-esteem or a myriad of other issues that prevent them from performing academically. VCA is an experiential therapy that can be used to address these complex issues while contemporaneously teaching academic subjects.
Psychoeducational Evaluations
Assessing the underlying mental processes impacting educational, workplace and life management abilities is the key to understanding why a person achieves at a certain level. Usually the purpose of these evaluations is to determine if the student qualifies for special education services and accommodations for a specific learning disability
Neuropsychological Evaluations
This evaluation focuses on learning and behavior in relation to an individual’s brain and incorporates knowledge of brain development, organization and functioning into the evaluation. Neuropsychological evaluations are considered the most comprehensive type of evaluation and typically include psychological and psychoeducational testing components but go a step further to understand the relationship between behavioral, cognitive and functional deficits and the underlying brain function.
Forensic Services
Forensic psychology is the intersection between the study of psychology and the justice system. A forensic psychologist translates psychological information into a legal framework and may be called to provide treatment recommendations and other information a judge may request.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact us.