ELEMENTS EDUCATIONAL EVALUATIONS

Every child—every human, really—is a genius in their own way. Each brain and body develops differently, and that’s by design. Unfortunately, our education system hasn’t fully caught up to this reality, which means many children have unrecognized or underutilized strengths.

In some cases, children are even penalized for their natural gifts:

• The artist who’s told not to doodle.

• The musician who’s told to stop drumming on their desk.

• The athlete who’s told to sit still.

• The comedian who’s told to quiet down.

• The empath who’s told to stop being "too sensitive."

The list goes on. But when we identify and understand a child’s strengths, everything changes. Awareness brings confidence and clarity—for both the child and their caregivers.

Families seek an Elements Educational Evaluation for many reasons, including:

• Gaining deeper insight into their child’s unique strengths and learning style.

• Understanding how to best support their child in their current school.

• Exploring alternative education options that may be a better fit.

This assessment isn’t just about labels or test scores—it’s about empowering children to thrive in a way that honors who they truly are.

Any child between the ages of 6 and 17 can receive a strengths-based Elements Educational Evaluation, regardless of their learning profile or background.

• Your child may be neurotypical or neurodivergent, with or without a formal diagnosis (including identified disabilities, giftedness, or twice-exceptional traits).

• They may have a 504 Plan, IEP, IFSP, or no official documentation at all—every child’s learning journey is unique.

• Whether your child has had previous testing (formal or informal) or this is their first evaluation, we will tailor the process to meet their needs.

This evaluation is designed to provide meaningful insights into your child’s strengths and learning style, helping you support their growth with confidence.

All Elements Education Evaluations are conducted by Heather DiNino, an experienced educator with a deep passion for supporting children.

Heather spent years working in public school systems as a special educator, where she evaluated and assessed children with and without special needs. While these evaluations were originally intended to determine eligibility for special education services, Heather’s true passion emerged through the process of getting to know each child.

Rather than focusing solely on eligibility, Heather used these assessments as a way to discover each child’s learning style, unique strengths, gifts, and curiosities. It was through this approach that Heather helped countless children thrive and succeed—building confidence, finding their voices, and embracing their individual learning journeys.

With this background, Heather brings a holistic, strengths-based perspective to every assessment, guiding families in understanding and nurturing their child’s full potential.

Heather has a particular gift for helping even the most introverted children come alive. They feel safe and comfortable to be their true self, which allows the evaluation to be truly authentic and impactful.

An educational evaluation is a comprehensive process designed to understand your child’s unique strengths, intelligences, and learning profile. Here’s what it includes:

1. Consultation
We begin with a conversation between you (the family) and me, Heather DiNino, M.Ed. This discussion helps us clarify goals, ensure compatibility, and determine the best approach for your child’s evaluation.

2. Review

Heather will review any previous evaluations, reports, or paperwork that is pertinent to this evaluation and to the child’s education. (This may include the child’s IEP, 504, Neuropsychological Evaluation Reports, and/or Education Evaluation Reports)

3. Assessment Sessions
Your child will work one-on-one with me in a relaxed, supportive setting. Depending on their age and personality, assessments may take anywhere from 45 minutes (in one session) to 2–3 hours (spread across up to five sessions). My goal is to create a comfortable environment that allows your child to do their best.

observations, interviews,

3. Written Report
Within 7–10 days, you’ll receive a detailed report outlining the assessments conducted, key insights, and how the findings can support your child’s growth and learning.

4. Follow-Up Meeting
To ensure you have the guidance you need, you’ll have the opportunity to schedule a 30–45 minute meeting (in person or via Zoom) within 30 days of receiving the report. This meeting allows us to go over the results, answer any questions, and discuss actionable next steps.

The specific areas assessed will depend on the child’s age and individual profile, but typically include:

• Academic Abilities and Achievement
  Areas like Reading, Written Expression, Math, and General Knowledge are explored to understand the child’s academic strengths and challenges.

• Cognitive Abilities
  This includes assessing the child’s problem-solving skills, critical thinking, memory, executive functioning, and attention to get a clearer picture of their cognitive profile.

• Social-Emotional Functioning
  Evaluates interpersonal and intrapersonal skills, coping strategies, behavior, and flexibility to assess emotional regulation and social interactions.

• Multiple Intelligences
  Focuses on the different ways the child may express intelligence (e.g., musical, logical-mathematical, linguistic, bodily-kinesthetic, etc.), giving a fuller picture of their strengths.

Traditional evaluations often come into play when there’s a concern—when a child is struggling, falling behind, or not fitting in. These evaluations are typically designed to determine eligibility for special education services and may focus on identifying problems or deficits in a child’s development.

An Elements Educational Evaluation is different.

• Strengths-based, not ableist: Rather than searching for a disability (or pretending one doesn’t exist), the goal is to uncover a child’s unique strengths, gifts, and potential. We focus on what makes them shine, not what they might lack.

• Holistic approach: This evaluation considers the whole child, looking at not just their cognitive abilities but also their emotional, social, and physical development. We take into account the entire system in which they exist—family dynamics, school environment, and other influences—to give a comprehensive understanding of how they thrive.

• Comforting and patient: The process is designed to be gentle and thoughtful, ensuring that the child feels comfortable and supported throughout. The evaluation isn’t rushed—we create a calm space where children can feel at ease, and the process is communicated clearly so parents know exactly what to expect every step of the way.

This evaluation is a celebration of a child’s strengths and a partnership with families to help their child thrive in ways that honor their individuality and potential.

Once the assessment sessions are finished, you’ll receive a detailed written report outlining:

• The assessments conducted.

• The conclusions drawn from those assessments.

• How the findings can be used to support your child’s growth and development.

After reviewing the report, you’ll have the opportunity to schedule a meeting with Heather to discuss the results in more detail, answer any questions you may have, and explore actionable next steps for your child’s learning journey.

A strengths assessment, which includes the assessment sessions, a detailed report, and a follow-up meeting, is an investment of $897.

• Consultation call: Free of charge.

• Deposit: A deposit of $250 is required to secure your appointment.

• Payment options: You can choose to pay the full amount with the deposit or pay the remainder before the report is sent.

We accept payment via cash, check, Venmo, or credit card.