Special Education Testing & Advisory Centre

Psychological test reports have been helpful in schools but there have been a number of problems associated with these assessments. The major issues include:

1- The tests used in assessments are clinical tools often used in special settings such as hospitals and mental health clinics. They use a great deal of technical language which often is not understood by parents or teachers. SETAC has introduced "Plain Talk Reports" which avoids the jargon and makes them user-friendly so that they don't end up in file folders unused.

2-The findings and recommendations spelled out in the reports are only useful if they find direct expression in the child's IEP and from there are translated into concrete plans for implementing the assessment findings. This requires a full understanding on the part of school personnel involved with the student and conscientious efforts to put them into practice in the classroom. This often does not happen.

3-Many school boards have extended waiting lists for psycho-educational assessments; sometimes as many as 2,000 children are on hold. This may result in a year or more delay before the child is tested. These children sometimes lose ground in their weak areas. Without the test report it has been common practice to not go forward with the formal IPRC - Identification, Placement and Review Committe meeting - which leads to long delays before the child can be formally placed and receive the help he/she requires.

To combat these problems SETAC offers three unique features:

"Fair Fee" : In addition to fee allowances made by insurance companies for psychological services, SETAC will facilitate the process by conducting assessments at reduced fees.

"More Than One Opinion" : Through our test result reviews parents will have the benefits of input from more that one professional on the meaning of the test findings.

{All Client Appointments will be made within reasonable lengths of time from the initial meeting. }

PLEASE NOTE

THE ADVISORY CENTRE OFFERS A UNIQUE COUNSELLING SERVICE FOR PARENTS AND CHILDREN WITH SPECIAL NEEDS. WE SPECIALIZE IN DEALING WITH FAMILY ISSUES AND PARENTAL MATTERS REGARDING THE ANXIETIES AND STRESSES ARISING FROM LIVING WITH CHILDREN WHO HAVE EXCEPTIONALITIES. WE ALSO OFFER SPECIALIZED COUNSELLING/THERAPY WHICH ADDRESSES THE UNIQUE PROBLEMS OF CHILDREN WITH DISABILITIES.

Please contact PAS for full information about SETAC at 416-429-8511 or at support@parentsadvocacy.com

SETAC invites you to read and share with others the following very important publications.

Ontario Ministry of Education & Ontario Human Rights Commission Publications

"Plain Talk Reports" : All SETAC reports are written in language which can be understood by parents. In reviewing these reports with parents they will be fully aware of how the information can be used to directly help their child in class.