Overview

Is your child or adolescent struggling in school and falling behind in classes? Does your child have trouble paying attention, is easily distracted, or is restless and overly active? Does he or she exhibit problems with reading accuracy or comprehension, math or writing skills? Every young person processes information differently. However, if your child is experiencing academic difficulties that are significantly interfering with his or her progress in school, he or she may be struggling with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), a learning disability or problems processing information.

Emotional turmoil can also take its toll on academic and social development. Adolescence is a difficult time for many young people. However, children and adolescents who are frequently depressed or anxious may find it hard to keep up in school or feel liked by their peers. Their grades may drop unexpectedly. They may isolate and talk of dropping out of school. They might exhibit unusual or bizarre behaviors. Young people in turmoil often feel like they can’t talk to anyone about their problems.

Dr. Brian Mayeda assists young people by conducting educational and psychological assessments to determine the nature and cause of their problems. Educational assessments include testing of IQ, academic achievement, and the presence of ADHD or other processing disorders. Testing for specific learning disorders is also conducted if it is suggested by the results of the initial assessment. Psychological assessments determine whether emotional complications are impeding a young person’s social and academic development. Psychological assessments include evaluations of an individual’s social and emotional functioning, including assessing for problems with depression, anxiety, and functioning with peers and family members.

Dr. Mayeda is a licensed clinical psychologist who trained for three years at the renown Reiss-Davis Child Study Center in Los Angeles, where he evaluated young people from both public and private schools who were experiencing a wide range of difficulties in the areas of academic and emotional/psychological functioning. Dr. Mayeda is also trained to evaluate adolescents who may qualify for extra time on the SAT examination..