Sara Van Hoose, Ph.D.
People seek assessment for many reasons: questions include attention, mood or anxiety, learning disorders, autism, giftedness, memory or cognitive functioning; the need for school or testing accommodations; or simply a wish to understand a pattern of strengths and difficulties more clearly.
At its best, assessment requires careful observation and clinical judgment: looking for patterns across measures and considering them in the context of a person’s history and circumstances. I approach each evaluation as an individual inquiry rather than a standard battery applied to a diagnostic question. The report grows out of that inquiry, with the person behind the scores held in mind as findings are brought together and recommendations take shape.
My work spans learning and attention, autism and giftedness, diagnostic and trauma-related questions, and cognitive functioning, as well as school placement, educational transitions, and testing accommodations.
My interest in assessment began in education, first as a teacher and later through work in school admissions and gifted and talented placement. Throughout my clinical training, I pursued specialized experience in neuropsychology, learning disorders, and executive functioning.
A good assessment makes complexity understandable.
A good evaluation can be very helpful.