Important Evaluation Information

Dr. Heitin uses the Woodcock-Johnson IV (WJ IV) as the basis of the psychoeducational assessment with supplemental available as needed.  The WJ IV provides measures of cognitive functioning, information processing skills and academic achievement.  Full assessment serves many purposes.  It can offer an independent assessment for the special education process.  By determining processing and instructional strengths and weaknesses, the evaluation can rule out or identify the presence of learning disabilities and other factors that may impede learning. For students in 9th  grade and higher, Dr. Heitin also uses the Nelson-Denny Reading Test to further document the student’s reading skills.

It is important to note that Dr. Heitin can make the diagnosis of a learning disability.  Any suspected attention or emotional problems will be fully described to assist appropriate specialists in ruling out or diagnosing such conditions.  As an educational specialist, Dr. Heitin is uniquely skilled in using the testing information to design appropriate educational recommendations.

The assessment also provides documentation of the need for school accommodations, and it meets the standards set by the College Board for documentation of a disability.  Testing can provide standardized measures of progress over time.  Whether or not they have disabilities, students can benefit from the assessment process by understanding their specific profiles of strengths and weaknesses.  Overall, assessment identifies how a student learns and how much he has learned.

Testing is conducted in two sessions on two separate days, each approximately 2 to 2.5 hours in length, Monday to Thursday beginning around 10:00 a.m. or 1:00 p.m.  At least one session should be scheduled in the morning, so the student is fresh for the cognitive tests.

So that she will have a full understanding of a student’s educational experience and background to date, Dr. Heitin requests that you provide copies of your child’s educational and testing records.  You should include school reports (year-end report cards only, please), results of educational, psychological and other relevant testing, whether conducted in school or private practice, relevant physician’s reports or opinions, and documentation related to any special education services or supports that may be in place (such as a Section 504 or Individualized Education Plan).  You should also include other materials you feel may be relevant to your student’s educational functioning and experience.  It is especially helpful when parents offer their perspectives and concerns.  You will receive an intake form to complete and return at the first session of testing.

Upon completion of the testing, Dr. Heitin provides you with a written report that documents salient background information, describes the test results, identifies patterns of performance and outlines recommendations specific to your child.  Reports are generally completed in about two weeks.  Once the report is complete we will call and schedule a meeting with both parents and student, if appropriate, to review the report.

If you would like to engage Dr. Heitin for testing, please call to schedule.  Your testing dates and times will be held tentatively for one week and confirmed once we receive a a non-refundable deposit by check written to Dr. Ruth Heitin and mailed to 725 N. Alfred St., Alexandria, VA  22314.  Deposits must be received a minimum of one week prior to the first date of testing.