I am the mother of two children who have ADHD and dyslexia. They are older now, but I remember how difficult it was to understand what they were struggling with so I could get them help. Those experiences continue to shape my work at the Shelton Evaluation Center today.
We work with clients from across the United States and the Dallas-Fort Worth area, ranging from 4-year-olds to young adults. Regardless of age or where families live, parents come to us for much the same reason: They want to understand their children so they know how to help when they are struggling.
Parents often arrive with many unanswered questions. Some wonder whether their child truly has a difficulty or is simply “lazy,” “unmotivated” or needs to “try harder.” In my experience, students want to do well in school, but underlying learning, attentional or social challenges can affect their ability to succeed.
I like something author and learning disabilities consultant Rick Lavoie has said. One often hears, “If only he’d try harder, he would do better.” But in fact, the opposite is true: “If he only did better, he would try harder.” It’s important to understand the challenges a child is facing, and parents are often so relieved when they have a full understanding of the difficulties that are impeding their child’s progress.
Families also ask how private evaluations differ from testing through a public school. Public school evaluations determine whether students qualify for accommodations or special education services. Private testing can take a broader look at the many factors that might be contributing to a child’s struggles.
At the Shelton Evaluation Center, we can assess intellectual ability, fine motor skills that affect handwriting, oral language, dyslexia, reading, spelling and written expression, visual-spatial and math difficulties, attention and social and emotional concerns. This comprehensive approach helps us identify not only what a child is struggling with, but why.
My vision for the Shelton Evaluation Center is that every family leaves feeling understood and with an appropriate plan for moving forward. By providing a clearer picture of how a child learns, we can help families make informed decisions about how best to support that child.
Dr. Laure Ames has served as director of the Shelton Evaluation Center since 2009 and is an adjunct professor at Dallas Baptist University. She holds a Master of Science in Counseling Psychology and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Southern Methodist University and is a frequent speaker on assessment, advocacy and supporting individuals with learning differences.
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