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Who We Serve: Children

Who We Serve: Children

Supporting Children and the Families Who Care for Them

Social emotional development is an area of clinical focus across Coherence. Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP and Dr. Korrie Allen, PsyD, ABSNP both consider social emotional functioning as an important part of understanding a child or adolescent’s overall profile, though their roles may look different depending on the needs of the individual.

Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP’s neuropsychological evaluations consider social emotional functioning alongside cognitive, developmental, and learning factors. When relevant, evaluation findings may help clarify patterns in social communication, emotional regulation, relationships, and daily functioning, with recommendations tailored to the child’s individual needs.

Dr. Korrie Allen, PsyD, ABSNP provides neuropsychological evaluations for children and adolescents with a range of developmental and learning concerns, including autism and ADHD. A significant portion of her clinical work currently focuses on autism and ADHD evaluations. Her evaluations consider cognitive, developmental, behavioral, and social emotional functioning to help clarify a child’s strengths, challenges, and areas where additional support may be helpful.

For children whose social emotional challenges are connected with broader developmental, learning, or neuropsychological questions, having access to comprehensive evaluation within the same practice can help create a more connected understanding of the child. When appropriate and with family authorization, clinicians can collaborate so that recommendations and treatment goals reflect the full clinical picture.

The goal is to help children and families understand what is contributing to social emotional, developmental, or learning challenges and identify supports that allow the child to build confidence, connection, and greater success in everyday life.

How we work

Services for Children at Coherence

  • Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for ADHD, autism, learning disorders, developmental delays, TBI, and executive functioning difficulties (Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP and Korrie Allen, PsyD, ABSNP)
  • Neuropsychological evaluation in American Sign Language for Deaf and Hard of Hearing children (Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP)
  • Autism and ADHD evaluations, which represent a significant focus of Dr. Allen’s current clinical work (Korrie Allen, PsyD, ABSNP)
  • Child therapy for anxiety, behavioral concerns, autism-related social and emotional difficulties, grief, and adjustment (Korrie Allen, PsyD, ABSNP)
  • ADHD behavioral management and executive functioning support (Korrie Allen, PsyD, ABSNP)
  • Parent coaching and family guidance throughout evaluation and treatment (Korrie Allen, PsyD, ABSNP)
  • IEP consultation and school support to connect clinical findings with classroom practice (Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP and Korrie Allen, PsyD, ABSNP)
Young Children

Working with Young Children at Coherence

Working with young children requires an understanding of how children at this stage communicate, learn, regulate emotions, and make sense of their experiences. Young children do not always have the words to explain what feels difficult, so clinical work often involves looking beyond what a child says and paying attention to play, behavior, relationships, and patterns across settings. Korrie Allen, PsyD, ABSNP’s work with younger children includes both neuropsychological evaluations and therapy. Her evaluation work frequently focuses on autism and ADHD, along with other developmental, behavioral, and learning concerns. When providing therapy, she uses developmentally appropriate approaches that may incorporate activities, play, drawing, storytelling, and other forms of expression that allow children to communicate in ways that feel natural to them. Treatment is adapted to how children actually process emotions, relationships, and challenges. Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP’s neuropsychological evaluation process with young children is also carefully designed around the child’s developmental level. Evaluation sessions are structured to support engagement, gather meaningful information, and understand the child’s cognitive, developmental, learning, and emotional profile. Feedback is provided to parents in clear, practical language that connects evaluation findings to everyday life. Parent involvement is an important part of work with young children at Coherence. Because young children develop within the context of their relationships and daily environments, caregivers play an important role in helping new skills and strategies carry over outside of appointments. Parent input is also an important part of the evaluation process, helping clinicians understand how a child functions across settings and providing context for understanding developmental and behavioral concerns. Both therapy and evaluation are most useful when families understand not only what a child is experiencing, but also what can be done to support growth. Coherence works with parents and caregivers to translate clinical information into practical steps that fit the child’s real life.

To begin the process, please email us. We will guide you step by step, ensuring timely, personalized care and clear communication throughout the process.

Please note that contacting this practice does not establish a patient provider relationship.

preparing

What to Bring to a First Appointment for a Child

Families preparing for a child’s first appointment at Coherence can help the process begin smoothly by gathering any relevant information ahead of time. Helpful records may include previous neuropsychological or psychological evaluations, school records such as report cards and teacher feedback, IEPs or 504 Plans, medical records related to the concerns being discussed, and prior therapy documentation that provides helpful background.

These materials give clinicians a better understanding of the child’s developmental history, strengths, challenges, and the questions that brought the family to Coherence. When records from schools, medical providers, or other professionals are needed, we can appropriate authorization forms and help families begin that process.

For a neuropsychological evaluation appointment, children typically do best when they arrive rested and having eaten. Families should bring any items that support the child’s usual functioning, such as glasses, hearing aids, or cochlear implants. For younger children, bringing a snack, comfort item, or familiar object can help make the transition into the appointment easier.

Medications should continue as prescribed unless the evaluating clinician or referring clinician has specifically discussed another plan during the intake process. If a family has questions about how to prepare, what to bring, or what to expect, reaching out before the appointment can help ensure the evaluation begins in a way that feels comfortable and organized for both the child and family.

Reach Out About Services for Your Child

To learn more about the services Coherence offers for children, or to begin the intake process, contact us.