CARD Assessment Center

Contact Information:

Bahareh Talei, Psy. D., Director of Assessments

(818) 345-2345 Ext. 271

assessment@centerforautism.com

The CARD Assessment Center provides developmental assessments and consultations for children, adolescents and young adults. Developmental evaluations provide useful diagnostic and prognostic information in a wide variety of suspected and confirmed neurological and psychiatric disorders that can then be used to develop tailored treatment programs if necessary. CARD is training for doctoral-level psychology students and offer post-doctoral fellowhips.

Through the use of standardized tests and procedures, developmental assessments are used to evaluate many areas of functioning.  They can test intelligence (e.g., IQ) and achievement, but also areas of functioning that impact performance in school, relationships with family and friends, and behaviors in the home and community.  

Functional areas the CARD Assessment Center evaluates:

Auditory and visual processing    Cognitive Functioning Attention Learning Abilities/Academic skills Executive Functioning (e.g., planning, problem solving) Language Visual-Spatial Skills Memory Adaptive Functioning Motor Skills Intelligence Speed of Processing Planning and organization

Why get an evaluation?
One of the most common reasons for getting an evaluation is that someone is experiencing difficulty in one or more areas functioning (e.g., school, peers). Typically, assessments are administered to diagnose or rule out developmental disabilities or to establish a baseline in which educational programs can be derived. 

Conditions for which assessments may be necessary:

What should you expect during an assessment?
In order to facilitate a better understanding of our clients’ strengths and weaknesses, the CARD Assessment Center team’s evaluation process consists of the following steps:

• Initial Paperwork/Background Info Collection - Completion of initial paperwork, including medical and educational history
• Testing Session(s) - The number and type of tests administered is dependent on the individual’s needs.  There is no set battery of tests for all.  When establishing a testing schedule, CARD assessors will also take into consideration that individual’s age, attention span and issues related to fatigue.
• Written Report - A formal report is generated and distributed to parents and authorized individuals.
• Feedback Session - Test results are discussed and recommendations are made. 

Payment Policy & Fees
While CARD Assessment Center will provide the necessary documentation for billing of third parties, including insurance companies, it is the responsibility of the client or client’s guardian to ensure timely payment of all services.

Standard Fees

• Assessor: $150 per hour

Bahareh M. Talei, Psy.D.
Director, CARD Assessment Center

Biography:
   Started with CARD: Sept 2005

   Education:

• Doctor of Psychology, Pepperdine University, 2005

• Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology, Pepperdine University, 2001
• Bachelor of Arts in Psychology, California State University, Long Beach, 1998
  

   Credentials:

• Licensed Psychologist

Interests:

• Assessment and diagnosis of children with pervasive developmental disorders
• Outcome effects of early intervention
• Development of assessment tools to be used with children with pervasive developmental disorders
• Conduct training on administration and scoring of various assessment tools in addition to comprehensive report writing

Selected Publications:

Talei, B. (2005). Lending a Hand to the Mentally Ill Homeless: A manual for service providers. Ann Arbor: ProQuest.

CARD Assessors

Michael Scott Allen, Psy.D CARD Senior Assessor Psychologist Location: Austin, TX Tel: (866)833-3898 ext. 106 m.allen@centerforautism.com

Frank Lo Curto, M.S. Managing Supervisor/ School Psychologist Location: New York City, NY