Introduction
Children are often disheartened or demoralized when they find it difficult to read, write, or do math. This may be a sign of a learning disability. Precocious children, advancing ahead in academic work, can also feel stymied as they outpace their peers. Finding the right resource for evaluating and diagnosing a child's learning difficulty should not be as frustrating as the learning issue itself.
The Institute for Learning and Academic Achievement at the NYU Child Study Center offers a comprehensive, specialized approach to assessing a child's learning strengths and weaknesses, and provides parent-, educator-, and child-friendly evaluations and integrated strategies for improvement. We provide a carefully crafted, personalized evaluation as well as an extensive written report and recommendations distinct from any other program. For more information, or to schedule an appointment, please contact our intake coordinator at (212) 263-8916 or e-mail us at services@aboutourkids.org.
Evaluations
All evaluations are conducted by our highly-skilled, multidisciplinary team of child and adolescent psychiatrists and psychologists, educational specialists, speech and language pathologists, and neuropsychologists.
A battery of tests is administered in order to develop an overall profile, including measures of intellectual performance, language abilities, and academic achievement. In addition, neuropsychological tests are included which assess the child's competence in basic cognitive abilities known to be at the foundation of learning. These tests examine attention and concentration; visual spatial, visual motor, and visual perceptual skills; auditory processing; sensorimotor functioning; phonological awareness; learning and memory; and executive functioning. Social, emotional, and behavioral issues are also taken into consideration.
Both quantitative and qualitative analyses are used to examine the information gathered through the testing and through behavioral questionnaires from the parents, the teacher, and the child. To schedule an evaluation or receive more information, call (212) 263-8916.
Treatment
Child Study Center educational specialists go beyond the traditional assessments by reviewing and discussing results with parents, educators, and the child. Together, an effective plan is developed and practical solutions are provided. Members of the multi-disciplinary evaluation team meet with the parents, the child, and the school to develop recommendations and to delineate a plan to achieve the desired results. General recommendations are fine-tuned for a child's home environment and school situation to ensure easy and successful implementation.
State-of-the-Art Research and Techniques
The Child Study Center engages in ongoing research, investigating children's behavior and functioning, and utilizes the results of its research in its clinical programs. Intellectual functioning, language development, motor skills, attention, behavior, visual perception, auditory processing, and memory are all measured by the most current tests available. Test analysis goes beyond just numbers: while quantitative data is interpreted according to test results, our comprehensive evaluations include clinical interviews and observations of the students.
Outreach
Our faculty is available for community public education presentations for parents, school personnel, health care providers, and community organizations. Please call (212) 404-3924 for more information or to schedule a speaker.
Our Brochure
Download a brochure for the Institute for Learning and Academic Achievement (PDF) using the link on the right.
