The Path Forward: Wheeler’s Evaluation and Assessment Services
Very often, knowing what a child needs to thrive in school or the community is obvious, but sometimes this “knowing” is harder to discern. One thing is certain: Understanding a child’s development and learning style is crucial to providing a strong foundation for tools, interventions, and support.
According to Sara Schoonover, Psy,D, director, an evaluation process—or series of evaluations—might offer the best path forward, often helping to inform and assist with educational placement decisions and identifying programs that meet complex needs.
A clinician with Wheeler for a decade, Sara says there are features that distinguish the organization’s approach, including the involvement of multiple evaluators in the process. “Our team conducts evaluations and confer with one another,” she said. “This adds depth to the assessment and helps to identify areas of overlap or potentially, additional gaps or areas to explore.”
Wheeler offers two key evaluation programs that help identify the unique needs of youth and young adults.
Autism Diagnostic Evaluation Program
Wheeler’s Autism Diagnostic Evaluation Program serves youth ages 3 to 21 at the organization’s 91 Northwest Drive, Plainville, and 43 Woodland Street, Hartford locations. Services are available to families enrolled in Husky A, C and D insurance. Direct referrals are accepted from families only; however, Wheeler is available to provide information and guidance to other referral sources.
The program measures a child's cognitive, adaptive, social, and behavioral functioning to determine if autism spectrum disorder is an appropriate diagnosis and to make recommendations about what would be helpful for the child.
According to Sara, the first steps in this process include intake and observation, followed by clinical assessments by evaluators who come together to discuss findings. Families are then engaged, and treatment options are discussed, including programs such as Wheeler’s Parent Connections program or its Northwest Village School, a therapeutic day school in Plainville serving students ages 5 through 22 with social, emotional, or academic challenges.
Diagnostic Assessment and Referral Team (DART)
Wheeler’s Diagnostic Assessment and Referral Team (DART) provides effective and practical answers to referral questions involving complex diagnostic, programming and placement decisions. The team provides specific recommendations regarding strategies and approaches to help children and youth succeed in least restrictive treatment or educational environments.
The cornerstone of the program is the DART evaluation, a customized, integrated, multidisciplinary evaluation for children who are experiencing complex psychiatric, behavioral, cognitive, social, emotional, and/or educational difficulties. Evaluations may include psychological, educational, psychiatric, speech and language, occupational therapy, or other assessment components to best understand the needs of the child. The final report provides an integrated assessment, addresses identified concerns, and provides recommendations to help the child achieve a greater sense of success in his/her overall functioning.
Youth are typically referred by school districts and parents and may be observed in the home or classroom setting.
Sara appreciates every aspect of her work, but she is partial to direct testing and evaluation. “In this realm, we have the opportunity for a ‘deep dive.’ It’s where we connect with the family in a different way,” she said.
“Perhaps the most rewarding part is when families describe the impact of the program on their loved one,” said Sara. “I am always heartened to know that we were seen as ‘kind’ and ‘caring,’ that our evaluations were effective, and that we made a meaningful difference in the lives of the families we serve.”
To request more information about Wheeler’s Evaluation and Assessment Services, contact:
Sara Schoonover, PsyD
Director
860.793.3750
SJSchoonover@Wheelerhealth.org
