Grades K-8

The years from kindergarten through eighth grade are a time of enormous academic and developmental significance. Some children encounter learning difficulties in their early elementary years and others at points where increasing demands in curriculum pose new challenges. The experienced clinical team at The Yellin Center will pinpoint areas of academic weakness while identifying academic and other strengths that can enable young students to improve their school performance and increase self-esteem and enthusiasm for the learning experience. Parents can expect to come away from the assessment process with a detailed understanding of how their child's mind works, effective strategies for home and school, and guidance in implementing our recommendations and managing their child's education.

A comprehensive assessment for students in grades K-8  includes:

• Review of background materials, including: parent, teacher, and student questionnaires; results of previous assessments; standardized test scores; school reports, and work samples
  
• Neurodevelopmental assessment by a senior a board certified pediatrician or licensed psychologist
• Educational assessment by a learning specialist
• Physical examination, including review of child's medical history and neurological status by a board certified pediatrician
• Hearing and vision screening
• Screening for significant emotional difficulties and how they may affect learning
• Demystification on the day of the assessment to provide immediate feedback and preliminary findings to students and their families
• A detailed written report, including summaries of the medical and neurological examinations, the neurodevelopmental assessment and the educational assessment; a description of the student's learning profile and how that profile is linked to academic performance; and a learning plan that includes specific recommendations for supporting the child's learning style at home and at school
• Consultation after receipt of the report to discuss questions and how best to implement specific strategies recommended in the report
• By request, a telephone consultation with a teacher or tutor to discuss the student's Learning Profile and the recommendations in our Learning Plan
• By request, a consultation with an advocacy and transition specialist
• Discretionary support time

Grades 9-12

Some high school students can feel discouraged and unmotivated after years of struggling in school. Other high school students complete their early years of school with relative ease, but experience more difficulty as academic and organizational demands increase. The Yellin Center assessment for high school students seeks to uncover areas of challenge, as well as highlight the strengths students can use when attempting to complete difficult tasks.  Due to the dynamic nature of the interactive assessment at The Yellin Center, students are highly involved in the process and often report that they feel their individual concerns are being heard for the first time.  In addition, The Yellin Center will continue to provide support after the assessment with the recognition that the demystification and management of a student's learning profile is an ongoing process. 

A comprehensive assessment for students in grades 9-12 includes:

• Review of background materials, including: parent, teacher, and student questionnaires; results of previous assessments; standardized test scores; school reports, and work samples
• Neurodevelopmental assessment by a senior a board certified pediatrician or licensed psychologist
• Educational assessment by a learning specialist
• Physical examination, including review of child's medical history and neurological status by a board certified pediatrician
• Hearing and vision screening
• Screening for significant emotional difficulties and how they may affect learning
• Demystification on the day of the assessment to provide immediate feedback and preliminary findings to students and their families
• A detailed written report, including summaries of the medical and neurological examinations, the neurodevelopmental assessment and the educational assessment; a description of the student's learning profile and how that profile is linked to academic performance; and a learning plan that includes specific recommendations for supporting the child's learning style at home and at school
• Consultation with assessing clinician after receipt of the report to discuss questions and how best to implement specific strategies recommended in the report. Since high school students are an important part of strategy implementation, clinicians at The Yellin Center for Student Success encourage the student to participate in this consultation.
• By request, a telephone conference with a teacher or tutor to discuss the student's Learning Profile and the recommendations in our Learning Plan
• By request, a consultation with an advocacy and transition specialist
• Discretionary support time

Pre-K

The Yellin Center's assessment for pre-K students is designed to provide greater insight into the child's emerging learning profile. While such learning profiles are particularly dynamic at this early stage, understanding a pre-K student's strengths and challenges is helpful in planning for elementary school placement. We use assessment tools that are specifically designed for young children, and our knowledgeable staff interacts with kids in an engaging and developmentally-appropriate manner. 

A comprehensive pre-K assessment includes:

• Review of background materials, including: parent and teacher questionnaires; results of previous assessments; standardized test scores (e.g., ERB);  school reports, and work samples
• Neurodevelopmental assessment by a senior a board certified pediatrician or licensed psychologist with specialized training and experience in our clinical model
• Academic readiness assessment by a learning specialist
• Physical examination, including review of child's medical history and neurological status by a board certified pediatrician
• Hearing and vision screening
• Screening for significant emotional difficulties and how they may affect learning
• Post-assessment meeting with parents to provide immediate feedback and preliminary findings
• A detailed written report, including summaries of the medical and neurological examinations, the neurodevelopmental assessment and the educational assessment; a description of the student's learning profile and how that profile is linked to academic performance; and a learning plan that includes specific recommendations for supporting the child's learning style at home and at school
• Consultation with assessing clinician after receipt of the report to discuss questions and how best to implement specific strategies recommended in the report.
• By request, a telephone conference with a teacher or tutor to discuss the student's Learning Profile and the recommendations in our Learning Plan
• Discretionary support time

College, Graduate Students and Young Adults

With the understanding that learning is a lifelong process, The Yellin Center's college and post-secondary assessments are a unique service designed to uncover strengths and weaknesses. Identifying a student's learning profile can provide valuable information about the strategies that will prove most effective in achieving success in higher education and beyond. We offer guidance in managing the college selection and application processes, and in obtaining necessary accommodations where appropriate.
A comprehensive assessment for a college/graduate student or young adult includes:

• Review of background materials, including: questionnaires completed by the student; additional information provided by parents and/or professors, if applicable; results of previous assessments; school reports; and work samples
• Neurodevelopmental assessment by a board certified medical doctor or licensed psychologist
• Educational assessment by a learning specialist
• If determined necessary, additional psycho-educational testing by staff of The Yellin Center in order to meet the specific requirements of certain colleges and universities
• Physical examination, including review of student's medical history and neurological status by a board certified medical doctor
• Hearing and vision screening
• Screening for significant emotional difficulties and their affect on academic performance
• Feedback on the day of the assessment to provide preliminary findings and recommendations
• A detailed written report, including summaries of the medical and neurological examinations, the neurodevelopmental assessment, a description of the student's learning profile and how it links to academic performance, and a learning plan that includes specific recommendations.  The strategies are largely addressed to the student to assist in their study habits and organization.  In addition, the clinicians will make suggestions for possible accommodations that could benefit the student during class time or exams. 
• Consultation with assessing clinician after receipt of the report to discuss any questions the young adult might have regarding the report findings. During this consultation, the clinicians will assist the student in prioritizing strategies and developing a timeline for implementation.
• By request, a telephone conference with an outside service provider or educator (e.g., organizational coach, therapist, professor, office of student services, etc.) to discuss the Learning Profile and the recommendations in our Learning Plan
• By request, a consultation with an advocacy and transition specialist
• Discretionary support time

Medical Students

The volume and complexity of material to be mastered in medical school can be overwhelming for any student, those who have overcome learning challenges in the past as well as those who have never previously struggled. Dr. Yellin serves as a consultant to the New York University School of Medicine Office of Academic Affairs supporting faculty and individual medical students in developing strategies for teaching and learning the medical school curriculum. He also works with individual medical students from other institutions who are struggling with the enormous challenges of a medical school education and required certifying examinations. The Yellin Center offers a unique assessment model designed to pinpoint areas of academic breakdown and utilize specific strategies and academic strengths to improve performance and test-taking skills.

A comprehensive assessment for a medical student includes:

• Initial Consultation with Dr. Yellin including comprehensive history and discussion of referral concerns
• Review of background materials, where appropriate, which can include: questionnaires completed by the student; additional information provided by the student and/or school; and results of previous assessments and current board testing
• Comprehensive assessment of cognitive functions and skills relevant to medical education by a board certified medical doctor
• Educational assessment 
• Feedback to provide preliminary findings and recommendations
• A detailed written report, including a summary of the assessment, a description of the student's learning profile and how it links to academic performance, and specific recommendations
• Ongoing consultation with Dr. Yellin to discuss the implementation of strategies, issues relating to board and licensing examinations and accommodations for such examinations where appropriate, and any questions the student might have regarding the report findings.