Psychological Testing Services in Calabasas, CA

We provide comprehensive psychological assessments for children, adolescents and adults utilizing neuropsychological tests

What is Kindergarten Readiness?

Are you concerned if your little one is ready for kindergarten? An evaluation can help answer any questions you may have.

Kindergarten readiness refers to the level of development a child needs to successively transition into kindergarten. It includes academic and social emotional skills that one needs to adapt in a structured environment so that formal education can truly begin. Readiness wildly varies among children, but usually include:

• Social and Emotional Skills

• Is your child able to work well with others, share, take turns, manage emotions, feelings, and cope with frustration? Is your child able to perform some tasks independently such as dressing, eating, using the bathroom? Can your child pay attention, follow directions, and stay focused on a task for 15 minutes?

• Language and Communication Skills

• Does your child understand basic words and their meanings, and can they express their needs to trusted adults. Can they engage in simple conversations, ask questions and ask for help? Can they. Understand and retell simple stories, and identify characters?

• Physical Development

• Can your child hold a pencil, use scissors, and manipulate small objects? Can they run, jump, climb and do other physical activities that help develop coordination?

• Self-Care Skills

• Can your child, was their hands properly, use the restroom and wipe themselves properly, open their lunch boxes, and feed themselves? Can they understand basic safety rules?

How Long Does Testing Take?

While testing may only take a few hours with the participate, we will be communicating with you, your child, teachers, therapists, psychiatrists, and other service providers for your child or you (with your permission).  We will take time to prepare and analyze a customized evaluation for your child and their needs. Based on test results, interview insights and findings, you will receive a comprehensive report summarizing and explaining our findings, and providing individualized recommendations for strategic school accommodations and home-support strategies that will strengthen your child’s development. 

On average the full evaluation for kindergarten readiness will 2-3 hours of in person testing and final feedback where the results will be discussed with you 2-3 weeks after the assessment is completed.

What Is Included In Each Evaluation?

Initial Intake: After our initial consultation, a comprehensive intake will be conducted with the individual (and parent, if needed) to fully understand individual’s needs. These initial series of questionnaires will help create the testing battery that will later be used for the series of one-on-one tests. Contact with doctors, teachers, schools, therapists and psychiatrists (with your permission) are also utilized to help understand the “full picture” of the patient.

Full Review: A full review of psychological, educational and past testing records is conducted.

Observations: An observation of the child at school may be conducted from time to time.

One-on-One Tests: The individual will meet one-on-one with a psychologist in person. During the "testing" appointments, we use the testing battery created in intake to administer a variety of questions, puzzles, word games, pictures and drawings, and stories, as well as some school-like tasks, such as reading and math, to investigate how the student thinks and feels in different settings. Many of our sessions may range from one to four hours, with several short breaks, depending on the individual's energy level. Tests will examine one’s:

• General cognitive and mental strengths and weaknesses. This is not a full IQ but rather can a child understand basic concepts.

• Does your child understand basic academic skills such as knowledge of shapes, colors and more?

• Can your child focus and sustain attention for 5-15 minutes at a time?

• Can your child hold a pencil, draw shapes, and use scissors?

• Behavioral and emotional screeners to understand your child’s basic needs?

Evaluation and Interpretation: After the testing and evaluation is complete, the Dr. Salanga will score, interpret, and integrate the information into a comprehensive written report. The report will include background information, test scores, psychologist interpretations, tailored recommendations to better help the individual, and referrals to any needed specialists.

Report and Feedback Discussion: After testing, evaluation, and reports are complete, the Dr. Salanga will meet one-on-one with the individual and/or parent to discuss the report and answer any questions. This feedback may also be given to other professions such as the teacher if desired, and many times Dr. Salanga will meet briefly with the child to go over their strengths and weaknesses as well. A copy of the full report will be given after the feedback appointment is complete.