Reading Assessment in Morgan Hill, CA

Comprehensive Literacy Evaluation to Unlock Your Child's Reading Potential

Watching your child struggle with reading can be heartbreaking and overwhelming.

As a parent in Morgan Hill, you may notice your child avoiding books, becoming frustrated with homework, or falling behind their peers in literacy skills. These challenges don't reflect your child's intelligence or potential; they often indicate specific learning differences that, once identified, can be effectively addressed.

At Mind By Design, our comprehensive reading assessments go far beyond simple screening tests. Led by Jana Parker, a Licensed Educational Psychologist and Board Certified School Neuropsychologist, we conduct thorough evaluations that pinpoint exactly how your child processes language and identify their unique learning profile. Our Morgan Hill location provides convenient access to expert assessment services that have helped hundreds of families transform reading struggles into success stories.

What sets our reading assessments apart is our deep understanding of both the science of reading and the local educational landscape. Having worked extensively within public school systems, we know how to translate assessment results into actionable strategies that work at home and coordinate seamlessly with your child's school in Morgan Hill or surrounding districts.

Our Services

A comprehensive reading assessment at Mind By Design is a detailed evaluation process designed to understand your child's complete literacy profile.

Unlike basic reading tests that simply measure grade-level performance, our assessments examine the foundational skills that support reading success, including phonemic awareness, decoding abilities, reading fluency, vocabulary knowledge, and comprehension strategies. We also evaluate how processing strengths and challenges impact your child's reading development.

Our assessment process begins with understanding your child's history and current concerns, followed by carefully selected standardized tests and clinical observations. We examine everything from how your child segments words into individual sounds to their ability to comprehend complex text. This multi-faceted approach ensures we identify not just what challenges exist, but why they're occurring and what specific interventions will be most effective.

The evaluation typically takes place over one to two sessions, allowing us to gather comprehensive data while keeping the experience manageable for your child. We create a comfortable, supportive environment where children feel at ease, demonstrating their abilities. Our child-friendly approach ensures accurate results while maintaining your child's confidence and motivation throughout the process.

Following the assessment, you'll receive a detailed report that explains your child's learning profile in clear, understandable terms. More importantly, you'll receive specific, actionable recommendations for supporting your child's reading development at home and school. We also provide guidance on communicating these findings with your child's teachers and advocating for appropriate educational support when needed.

Schedule Your Child's Reading Assessment Today

Schedule Reading Assessment

Key Benefits

Our comprehensive reading assessment goes beyond identifying that a reading problem exists; it pinpoints exactly where the breakdown is occurring in your child's literacy processing system. Using evidence-based assessment tools and clinical expertise, we examine phonological processing, working memory, language comprehension, and processing speed to create a complete picture of your child's learning profile.
This detailed analysis is particularly valuable for Morgan Hill families whose children may have been struggling without clear answers about why reading feels so difficult. By identifying specific areas of challenge, such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, or language processing differences, we provide the foundation for targeted interventions that can transform your child's reading experience.
The precision of our assessment means no time is wasted on ineffective strategies, and your child receives exactly the type of support they need to succeed.
Every child's reading challenges are unique, which is why our assessments result in completely individualized recommendation plans. Jana Parker's expertise as both a Licensed Educational Psychologist and Board Certified School Neuropsychologist ensures that recommendations address not just academic needs, but also emotional and developmental factors that impact reading success.
For Morgan Hill families, this means receiving strategies that work within local school systems while also providing tools for home support. Recommendations might include specific reading interventions, accommodations for classroom success, or referrals to specialized services like our own literacy support programs.
These aren't generic suggestions; they're research-based strategies selected specifically for your child's learning profile, grade level, and individual circumstances.
One of the most valuable outcomes of our reading assessment is the confidence and clarity it provides to parents who have been worried about their child's literacy development.
Understanding exactly what's happening with your child's reading processing eliminates the guesswork and anxiety that often surrounds learning struggles. Morgan Hill parents frequently tell us that receiving clear explanations about their child's learning differences transforms their ability to provide effective support at home.
You'll learn which reading activities will be most beneficial, how to communicate effectively with teachers, and when additional support might be needed. This knowledge empowers you to become your child's strongest advocate while reducing the stress and frustration that often accompany reading challenges.

Our reading assessments are grounded in decades of research about how children learn to read most effectively. We utilize assessment tools that align with the Science of Reading, examining the five essential components: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension.
This comprehensive approach ensures that we don't miss subtle but important factors that might be impacting your child's reading development. For families in Morgan Hill, this means receiving assessment results that align with current educational best practices and can be easily understood by teachers and educational teams.
Our evidence-based approach also means that any recommendations we provide are supported by research and have proven effectiveness for children with similar learning profiles.
Jana Parker's extensive background working within public education systems means our reading assessments are designed to integrate smoothly with your child's educational experience.
We understand how Morgan Hill schools operate, what types of documentation they require for support services, and how to present assessment findings in ways that facilitate positive educational planning.
When appropriate, our assessments can support IEP or 504 plan development, provide documentation for specialized reading interventions, or simply offer teachers valuable insights into your child's learning needs. This coordination ensures that the assessment benefits extend far beyond our office and into your child's daily educational experience.
The ultimate goal of our reading assessment is to change your child's relationship with reading from one of frustration to one of success and enjoyment. By identifying specific challenges and providing targeted interventions, we've helped countless Morgan Hill children develop into confident, capable readers.
Many families report that their children begin showing improvement within weeks of implementing our recommendations. The assessment provides not just immediate strategies for support, but also a roadmap for long-term reading success.
Whether your child needs intensive intervention for dyslexia or simply requires targeted support in specific areas, our comprehensive evaluation provides the foundation for transforming their literacy journey.

Our Service Categories

Our flagship service provides a complete evaluation of your child's literacy skills, examining everything from basic phonological processing to complex reading comprehension abilities. This thorough assessment identifies specific areas of strength and challenge, providing the detailed information needed to develop targeted intervention strategies. Perfect for children showing any signs of reading difficulty or parents seeking to understand their child's learning profile.
Specialized assessment designed to identify dyslexia and related language-based learning differences. Our comprehensive dyslexia evaluation examines phonological processing, rapid naming, working memory, and other key indicators to provide an accurate diagnosis and detailed intervention recommendations. Essential for children showing persistent difficulty with reading, spelling, or written expression despite adequate instruction.
Detailed examination of specific literacy components, including phonemic awareness, decoding skills, reading fluency, and comprehension strategies. This focused assessment helps identify exactly which literacy skills need additional support and provides specific recommendations for targeted intervention. Ideal for children needing support in particular areas of reading development.
Professional guidance for families navigating school-based reading support services, including IEP development, 504 plan implementation, and educational advocacy. Our expertise in both assessment and educational systems ensures that your child receives appropriate school-based reading interventions and accommodations.
Customized development of reading intervention strategies based on assessment results and individual learning needs. We create detailed plans that can be implemented at home, in school, or through specialized tutoring services, ensuring that intervention efforts are coordinated and effective for your child's specific challenges.

Our Process

STEP ONE

Initial Consultation and History Gathering

We begin with a comprehensive discussion about your child's developmental history, current reading challenges, and educational experiences. This conversation helps us understand your specific concerns and select the most appropriate assessment tools for your child's needs. We review any previous evaluations, school reports, and examples of your child's work to gain a complete picture of their literacy journey. This initial step typically takes 30-45 minutes and can often be conducted via phone or video call to accommodate busy family schedules.

STEP TWO

Comprehensive Assessment Administration

Your child will participate in a carefully selected battery of standardized tests designed to evaluate all aspects of reading and language processing. We create a comfortable, supportive environment where children feel at ease while demonstrating their abilities across multiple literacy domains. The assessment process is designed to be engaging and manageable, with breaks as needed to ensure accurate results. This phase typically requires one to two in-person sessions, depending on your child's age and attention span.

STEP THREE

Analysis and Report Development

Following the assessment, we conduct a thorough analysis of all test results, clinical observations, and background information to develop a comprehensive understanding of your child's reading profile. Our detailed written report explains findings in clear, parent-friendly language while maintaining the technical precision needed for educational planning. The report includes specific diagnoses when appropriate and detailed recommendations for intervention strategies, educational accommodations, and home support.

STEP FOUR

Results Conference and Planning Session

We schedule a comprehensive meeting to review assessment findings, discuss recommendations, and develop an action plan for supporting your child's reading development. This collaborative session ensures you fully understand your child's learning profile and feel confident implementing our recommendations. We provide guidance on communicating with teachers, accessing educational services, and monitoring your child's progress as interventions are implemented.

STEP FIVE

Ongoing Support and Follow-up

Our relationship doesn't end with the assessment report. We provide ongoing consultation as needed to help you navigate educational decisions, adjust intervention strategies, and advocate for your child's needs. Many families appreciate having access to our expertise as their child progresses through different grade levels and educational challenges.

Our Approach

At Mind By Design, our approach to reading assessment is rooted in the understanding that every child is a unique learner with individual strengths, challenges, and potential.

We believe that a comprehensive evaluation must go beyond simply identifying what a child cannot do, instead focusing on building a complete picture of how they learn best and what specific support will help them thrive. Our assessment philosophy combines rigorous scientific methodology with compassionate, child-centered care that honors each student's dignity and potential.

Our methodology integrates current research in the Science of Reading with clinical expertise in educational psychology and neuropsychology. This means we examine not just reading performance, but the underlying cognitive and linguistic processes that support literacy development. We look at phonological processing, working memory, attention, language comprehension, and processing speed to understand the complete learning profile. This comprehensive approach ensures we don't miss important factors that might be impacting your child's reading success.

For Morgan Hill families, our approach is particularly valuable because we understand the local educational landscape and can tailor our assessment and recommendations to work effectively within area schools. Having worked extensively in public education, we know how to present findings in ways that facilitate positive educational planning and ensure your child receives appropriate support services. We also recognize the diverse learning needs of Silicon Valley families and adapt our assessment approach to honor different cultural and linguistic backgrounds.

Our ultimate goal is empowerment, empowering children to understand their own learning differences, empowering parents to support their child's growth effectively, and empowering educational teams to provide targeted, effective instruction. We believe that when families have accurate information about their child's learning profile, they can make informed decisions that transform reading struggles into success stories.

Frequently Asked Questions

Mind By Design was founded by Jana Parker, a Licensed Educational Psychologist and Board Certified School Neuropsychologist, to provide compassionate, expert assessment services to Morgan Hill and Santa Clara County families. With over a decade of experience in public education and specialized training in reading difficulties, our team brings unique insight to helping children overcome literacy challenges and thrive academically.

Learn More

A complete reading assessment typically requires one to two testing sessions of 2-3 hours each, depending on your child's age, attention span, and specific needs. We schedule sessions to accommodate your child's optimal performance times and include breaks as needed. The entire process from initial consultation to final report usually takes 2-3 weeks, ensuring thorough analysis and comprehensive recommendations.
We conduct reading assessments for children from kindergarten age through high school, adapting our evaluation approach to match developmental needs and grade-level expectations. Early assessment (ages 5-7) focuses on foundational skills like phonemic awareness, while assessments for older students examine more complex reading and writing abilities. There's no age too early or too late to gain valuable insights into your child's reading profile.
Yes, our comprehensive reading assessments provide the documentation often needed for IEP development, 504 plan creation, or general educational accommodations. Jana Parker's background in public education ensures that our reports include the specific information schools need to provide appropriate support services. We also offer consultation to help you navigate the educational advocacy process.
Our comprehensive assessment is much more detailed than typical school screenings, examining underlying cognitive and linguistic processes that impact reading development. While schools often focus on grade-level performance, we identify why challenges exist and what specific interventions will be most effective. Our assessment also provides detailed recommendations for home support and long-term educational planning.
If our assessment identifies dyslexia or other learning differences, we provide clear explanations, specific intervention recommendations, and ongoing support for educational planning. We can connect you with appropriate intervention services, including our own literacy support programs, and help you understand how to advocate effectively for your child's needs within the school system.

START YOUR CHILD'S READING SUCCESS STORY

Expert assessment and clear answers for concerned Morgan Hill parents.