Assessment Process

What to Expect

Center Assessments

Center Assessments are for students who have highly complex behavioral and/or learning profiles, and for whom there may be diagnostic challenges that cannot be addressed through local resources. The assessment is conducted primarily at the Diagnostic Center and employs a transdisciplinary team to assist the school in answering educationally-related diagnostic questions. The assessment team may include an educational specialist, psychologist, and speech and language specialist, and/or pediatrician. Other specialists, such as assistive technology, audiology, or psychiatry consultants are also available as appropriate. The assessment typically requires two to three days to complete and includes an observation of the student at the school site. Approximately 5 weeks following the Center assessment, the Diagnostic Center team will meet with the family and district to review assessment findings and recommendations. A comprehensive assessment report will be provided at the meeting.

A parent/guardian is required to accompany the student for the entire assessment. Both parents and/or guardians are encouraged to attend, but we require at least one parent or guardian to attend the entire assessment. Parents have many opportunities to observe test sessions and talk with individual team members. Since parents will be actively involved with the assessment process, we request that parents not bring other minor children. Lodging and meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) are provided for families who live 50 miles or more away. Lodging is provided at Hotel Piccadilly on Shaw Avenue, Fresno, California. Families who live closer than 50 miles commute daily and are provided lunch.

A Visit To the Diagnostic Center

Katie's Story

---

Field-Based Assessments

An assessment conducted solely at the student's school is called a Field-Based Assessment. This assessment service generally pertains to those students whose diagnostic questions are limited to fewer disciplines and/or can best be answered by conducting the entire assessment in the student’s learning environment. Team composition will be based on the diagnostic questions submitted in the referral. These assessments are typically completed in one to three days depending upon the diagnostic questions. Local school personnel and the family are involved in the assessment planning and process. Approximately 3-5 weeks following the field assessment, the Diagnostic Center team will meet with the family and district to review their assessment findings and recommendations. A comprehensive assessment report will be provided at the meeting.