Services

THE COST OF NOT KNOWING

As parents, we can often tell that “something is different” early on, when our bright and naturally curious children who love learning and feel good about themselves start showing “uneven development,” confusing skill patterns and baffling challenges.

As professionals who work with unique learners, we know that research shows that the early identification, diagnosis and documentation of possible Developmental Learning Disorders is crucial in assuring the success of our unique learners in school, at work and in life. 

Early, high quality, research-based interventions can not only remediate and ameliorate the challenges faced by our children, adolescents and young adults, but they can also contribute to young peoples’ mental health, their positive view of themselves, their social lives, socioeconomic status, their physical and mental health and that of their families.

For almost 30 years, our clinic, has provided assessments, diagnoses and disability/ability documentation and recommendations for talented and gifted individuals who learn differently and advocating for their needs. With our help, thousands of successful high school college and post-secondary graduates, thriving entrepreneurs, skilled professionals and successful artists are bettering our world.

High quality assessment, diagnosis, documentation and treatment of Learning Disorders (dyslexia, ADHD, NLD, etc.) have always been expensive.  Unfortunately, in the past few years, as our country has been experiencing perhaps its most devastating social and economic downfalls, it has been increasingly difficult to obtain answers to the puzzling quest of unique learners, accurate and comprehensive assessments of our children’s unique learning needs, and help for those whose challenges are disabling.  This, despite the fact that Federal and State Statutes, show that such challenges have a major impact upon major life functions ( such as learning, working, reading, communicating, focusing, self-care, etc.).

WHY DOES MY CHILD NEED AN ASSESSMENT?

• A professional, comprehensive, ecological assessment and diagnosis of abilities and  disabilities results in accurate documentation and treatment and allows for adequate legal and educational advocacy only if provided by a professional, who has expertise, training and experience and familiarity with current research, treatment, and the needs of individuals with challenging disabilities.
• By law, the documentation of disabilities and their impact upon major life functions, must be detailed and comprehensive, especially in the case of “hidden” disabilities such as developmental and acquired language, learning, cognitive and mental health disorders.  In many cases, school IEP Assessments and other “brief” assessments do not suffice for necessary accommodations and treatment for post-secondary testing, college, vocational rehabilitation or for protection against discrimination in the work place. Thus, such assessments are costly, as is often treatment and help.
• The costs of poor or no assessment, documentation or treatment are life-long, and considerably higher:  The number of individuals with Developmental Language/Learning Disorders who live below poverty level, are incarcerated and populate mental health and AODA circles continues to be frightening.
• Research conducted by several renowned health-care providers show that illiteracy (in this case, defined as reading below the 6th grade level only) results in a 25% reduction in life expectancy!  It is the second in its impact only to smoking .

THE GOOD NEWS - WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW                                                                                                                    
A high quality assessment, diagnosis & documentation of Developmental Learning Disabilities (Disorders); ADHD and other “hidden disorders”, even if not covered by your health care provider, qualifies as a medical deduction from your taxes, and can be covered by your own or your parents’ “flexible spending” plan.

Assessments provided by this clinic and documenting Learning/Language Disorders, ADHD and mental health disorders, have been accepted by public schools, educational testing services (administering tests such as ACT, SAT, GRE, L-SAT, M-CAT, PRAXIS, etc.), colleges, graduate schools, employers and State and Federal agencies of Vocational Rehabilitation locally, nationally and in various countries around the world!

If a high quality assessment documents a disability, parents of a child with a disability (ages 0 - 25) are not only eligible for tax breaks for the expense of the assessment, but are also eligible for medical deductions AND A TAX CREDIT given by the Internal Revenue Service to parents of disabled children for all disability-related expenses.  This may include the costs of special (private) schooling; tutoring; technology and Assistive Technology; further assessments and treatments recommended, etc.  The credit can be obtained retroactively for 3 years prior to the diagnosis.

The US Supreme Court recently ruled that parents of a child with a disability who know that their public school district does not have research-based, high quality services for their child’s disability, can enroll their child in a specialized, private, day or boarding school that offers such services, if those were recommended by a qualified professional.  They can do so if they had not sought public school services for their child.

In addition to possibly qualifying for and receiving financial help and professional guidance to pursue vocational, post-secondary education and training goals, there are scholarships, grants and other financial opportunities available for individuals who have Developmental Learning Disorders.  We can help you access these!

WHAT CAN WE GIVE YOU?
We accept compensation including legal bartering, sliding fee scales and Medical Assistance (Medicaid). We can help you access your legal rights for free through Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE’s) at the expense of your school district. 
We are also providing you with the following links to assist you in further researching avenues for financial help in accessing our important services.
Please let us know if we can be of further help to you in your quest.  We hope to meet you in the future, and we send our best wishes to you and your family.

Nira Scherz-Busch, M.S.    Clinic Director,  Child and Family Psychological Services  

Taxes 2008 & Financial Help for Parents of LD/ADHD Children:  http://www.greatschools.net
Information about the “US Supreme Court Public Role in Special Education Tuition”: http://www.jsonline.com/news/education/48817377