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Signs of Success Agency offers the following services:

1. Evaluations
2. Consultations
3. Advocacy
4. Counseling
5. Tutoring

1. EVALUATIONS:

Comprehensive Evaluations: Learning Evaluations, Speech and Language Evaluations and Psychological/psychoeducational Evaluations

We identify the individual’s skill levels, what is interfering with learning, and how that person learns best. This leads to specific diagnoses and recommendations.

Evaluations must result in specific recommendations to address the individual’s learning difficulties. The goal is to provide information that empowers our client to act upon the recommendations in the Evaluation. We have worked as teachers and tutors, so our recommendations are practical and can be implemented in schools and tutoring programs. Our rapport with students, thoroughness, determination to provide helpful recommendations, and availability for follow-up distinguish the Evaluations at Signs of Success Agency.

How do we begin?

1. We begin with the district, parent or adult client contacts Signs of Success.

2. We speak or meet with one another to identify the primary concerns and the services needed.

3. Once appointments are scheduled, the evaluator can begin testing.

What are the steps in an Evaluation?

1. In order to place test results in context, background information is gathered from the Application Form, along with copies of school records including: report cards, transcripts, standardized test scores, and SAT score reports. Sometimes attention rating scales are completed by parents and teachers.

2. Parents and the Director determine if the child will be observed in school prior to testing.

3. The child or adult client is seen at a location of mutual convienence for the testing sessions. The number of sessions required and the length of the sessions depends on the student’s age, attention span, and rate of work. We spend as much time as we need. Typically we see young children for more frequent shorter sessions. Most primary grade students are seen for three, two hour sessions, while middle school students, High school students, college students, and adults generally require more time.

4. At the conclusion of the testing, we write a very detailed report integrating the information. The purpose is to provide a clear profile of the student’s learning strengths and weaknesses. We provide specific recommendations for the best methods to use for teaching the student. The report indicates what accommodations and remediation the student needs.

5. The parents, the test subject, or both meet with us to discuss the evaluation results and recommendations.

6. When permission is granted, information is shared with the school or referring professional. The Director is available to attend follow-up meetings at schools.

2. CONSULTATIONS:

School observations enable us to gather information about the child’s functioning in the classroom prior to an Evaluation or a consultation with parents. An observation provides information about the child’s functional skills in a group setting. For example, the child’s ability to attend, follow directions, complete work, and interact with others can be observed in school. An observation is particularly helpful when the child is young or there are questions about attention or social skills.

Reviews of school records and previous evaluations, followed by a meeting with the parents, enable us to give parents a clear understanding of their child’s needs and a direction for their child’s school or tutoring program.

Evaluation and comparison of school programs allows us to make recommendations about school and program placement issues. We are available to visit schools, review curriculums, and determine if there is a fit between the student and school.

Referrals to other professionals are available when additional information is needed. Referrals to tutors are available along with consultations to implement effective programs.

3. ADVOCACY:

Attending meetings at schools with parents enable us to explain test results and their implications for the child’s program to teachers. We work with parents and schools to develop effective 504 Plans.

Attending Child Study Team meetings provides a forum to assist parents to advocate for the appropriate program and work with schools towards developing effective IEP’s and ISP’s.

4. COUNSELING:

Please see our affiiliate www.strengthforchange.com

5. TUTORING