Offering Independent

Psycho-educational Evaluations

20 Years of Experience

• CHLA Behavioral Pediatrics Clinic

• CHLA Developmental Disabilities Clinic

• Fellow: Reiss Davis Child Study Center

• National Science Foundation Research

Fellow: Social development of children

• University of Southern California

Research Assistant Professor

• Consulting Psychologist, Disability Rights

Legal Center

Valerie Benveniste, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist PSY15215

5855 Green Valley Circle, Suite 202

Culver City, CA 90230

310-597-9322

www.ChildAnswers.org

Early Intervention is Key!

With learning disabilities (and other developmental

disorders) early diagnosis is important because it

allows treatments to begin while the brain is still

actively strengthening and pruning neural

networks. While it was previously believed that

functional deficits in certain brain regions – or a

difference in brain structure – cause learning

problems, most researchers now believe that it is

communication problems between neural networks

that over time create symptoms.

Educational interventions facilitate adaptive neural

“rewiring” of brain development, reinforcing more

typical brain structure and ameliorating learning

and attention challenges.

310-597-9322

www.ChildAnswers.org

!The Journal of Neuroscience, June 28, 2006, 26(26), p. 6897-6906

Psycho-educational Assessments

for

Children and Teens

Valerie Benveniste, Ph.D.

Licensed Psychologist PSY15215

email: valbenveniste@gmail.com

310-597-9322

Do you have concerns about

your child?

• What is the best type of school program to

match my child’s learning style?

• Is my child showing signs of Attention

Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder?

• Is my child showing signs of a learning

disability?

• Which special education services will

benefit my child?

Specializing in:

• Developmental and psycho-educational

assessments

• ADHD neuropsychological assessment and

follow-up

• Recommendations for special education

programming and services

• Autism Spectrum Disorders

• Independent Psychoeducational Evaluations

What is a learning disability?

To be considered learning disabled under PL94-

142 eligibility criteria a student must meet three

major requirements specified by law:

1. The student must have a disorder in one

or more of the basic psychological

processes involved in understanding or

using spoken or written language. The

basic psychological processes include:

a) attention

b) visual processing,

c) auditory processing,

d) sensory-motor skills, and

e) cognitive abilities (including association,

conceptualization and expression).

2. The disorder may manifest as an impaired

ability to

a) listen

b) think

c) speak

d) read

e) write

f) spell

g) solve mathematical calculations

3. The student must have a severe

discrepancy between intellectual ability

and achievement in one or more of the

academic areas referred to in the law

which include:

a) oral expression

b) listening comprehension

c) written expression

d) basic reading skills

e) reading comprehension

f) mathematics calculation and/or

reasoning

Homework Study Tips

• Establish a consistent homework schedule

• Provide an uncluttered, quiet, well-lit

space to work

• Be sure needed materials (paper, pens,

pencils, dictionary) are readily available

• Include breaks and snacks in your child’s

homework schedule

• Teach your child to skip overly difficult

portions so he or she does not become

stuck on one task for too long, and

therefore not finish assignments

• When your child asks for help, provide

guidance, not answers, so that he or she

will work to learn and remember material

• Schedule time to review your child’s

homework, and be sure to offer praise

before offering corrections

www.ChildAnswers.org

310-597-9322