Assessment

Assessment begins after the IEP referral is received by the Behavioral Health Coordinator. It includes observation, meetings with the child, family, and school staff as well as records review and testing. Within forty-five days assessments are completed and summaries, along with proposed IEP goals, are brought to the IEP for discussion and decisions about services.

ERMHS assessments are designed to address specifically those symptoms which present barriers to education. When an IEP team makes a referral for services the assessment is designed to answer the question ‘what is the nature of the presenting barrier and how might mental health and social emotional services address it?’

To that end providers will arrange a convenient time to interview the student, teacher and family. The therapists will also observe the student multiple times in the situation where the problems are occurring. Often a school psychologist will have already administered testing but if more is needed then providers may offer testing related to autism, peer interactions, intelligence, social skills, depression and anxiety, ADHD, or other appropriate measures. (Please keep in mind that these are clinical tests and do not address students’ special education qualifying conditions).

After assessments are completed the therapist is in a position to offer proposals to the IEP team. Please see our services section for more information on specific types of treatment.