What is a Strength-Based Assessment?

Understanding your specific strengths opens worlds of possibilities to you. Strength-Based Assessments pinpoint why you may be having difficulty with learning certain materials, mastering new skills, or demonstrating your  knowledge and skills on tests, in school, or at work. The assessment helps you find ways to compensate and bypass your weakness by using your strengths. It also provides clear documentation to assist you in communicating your learning needs to others.

What is unique about a Strength-Based Assessment?

Dr. Richard Arnold and Dr. Ellen Arnold developed this assessment after 30 years of experience working with people who learn differently. Richard is a clinical psychologist and looks at assessment from a psychological perspective. He uses traditional tests and assessments tools to better understand your cognitive abilities. Ellen is an educator who looks at assessment as a learning experience. She uses your experiences as a learner to build a profile of how you learn best. She then generates specific strategies based on your strengths that will help you in reaching your goals. Their unique combination of traditional and innovative insights is ideally suited for providing a well rounded and more complete picture of you as learner.

Who would want a Strength-Based Assessment?

Children, adolescents, college students and adults can benefit from Strength-Based Assessments. Consider participation in this assessment if you have a history of problems with school, with learning, with attention, or if
you would like to know more about yourself as a learner. This assessment also serves to discover whether you are eligible for any accommodations related to a specific disability. It can also be used to update documentation for a previously diagnosed disability.

How long does it take?

The typical procedure for a Strength-Based Assessment is as follows. Times are approximate.

1. You will start with an intake appointment. Dr. Arnold will interview you, take a detailed learning history, find out what your concerns are, and how this assessment could be helpful. You will be asked to share examples of when you have been able to learn effectively and when learning has been most difficult for you. This appointment is one and a half hours.

2. Another session will be spent completing psychological testing which may include an intelligence test, a perceptual test and /or a measure of attention, concentration and memory. This appointment takes two hours and will be scheduled with Dr. Richard Arnold.

3. An additional session will include an assessment of your learning strengths, and appropriate tests in reading, math, writing, proofreading, language and memory. This appointment also takes two hours and will be scheduled with Dr. Ellen Arnold.

4. Approximately one week after your last visit, you will receive a draft of your report in the mail. After reading this report, contact the office to give your reaction. We will be glad to address any questions or concerns about the report, the diagnosis or the recommendations given, we will discuss these concerns with you.

5. Once you understand the report, an exit interview may be scheduled. This will give you an opportunity to review any questions about the evaluation or our recommendations. You will then develop a plan to implement the recommendations. Within a few days of this session, you will receive a revised and final copy of your report.

What is the cost of a Strength-Based Assessment?

Your cost is figured on an hourly rate. It can range from $600 to $1200 depending on the amount of time it takes. Your bill will include the dates and amount of time you meet with us in the office, and the date when your report was drafted. Our invoices are sent out monthly. Health insurance, including Medicaid and HMO's may cover a portion of this assessment. Check with your provider prior to your first visit.


For more information or to set up an appointment, please contact us at: EllenArnold@Arncraft.com
 

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Ellen Arnold, Ed.D
940 Westfall Road Suite 2
Rochester, NY 14618
Phone: 585-256-1730
Email: EllenArnold@Arncraft.com