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About Career Assessments

A career assessment is the process of evaluating a person’s skills, interests, and values in order to help them make informed decisions about their career path. It can be an especially valuable tool for high school and college students, particularly for those who are on the autism spectrum, as it provides them with information and guidance to make appropriate educational and training choices.

For students, career assessment can provide valuable insight into their strengths and weaknesses, helping them to identify potential career options that align with their skills and interests. The information can be used to help parents and students make good decisions about their education, as they can better understand which courses and programs will best prepare them for their desired career path. It can also help them to develop a more realistic and informed understanding of what it takes to succeed in their chosen career, as well as the skills and qualifications they need to acquire. This can be especially beneficial for students who are unsure about what career path to pursue, as it can provide them with a clearer understanding of the options available to them.

 

Career Assessments & Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

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For individuals on the autism spectrum, career assessment can be especially beneficial as the information provided can help them to develop a more confident and informed understanding of what they have to offer the job market, and to find careers that are a good fit for their unique skills and abilities. In addition to helping identify potential career paths, career assessment can help to reduce the stress and anxiety associated with finding employment. Many autistic students may feel overwhelmed and unsure about what the job market has to offer, and may struggle to find a career that aligns with their skills and interests. Career assessment can help to provide a clearer understanding of what is available, and to give neurodivergent students the confidence and knowledge they need to pursue their desired career path.

Dr. Thurlow believes that career assessment offers valuable benefits for high school and college students, particularly those who are neurodivergent. By evaluating skills, interests, and values, it can provide parents and students with the information, guidance, and confidence they need to make informed decisions about their future.

What Is The Process?

A career assessment requires a combination of clinical interview, review of records (when necessary), and a standardized career assessment measure. Although career assessments are offered as a stand-alone service, it is more frequently provided as an adjunct to a more comprehensive psychoeducational or autism evaluation.

What Can You Expect?

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One of the key features of the Career Assessment Inventory, Enhanced (CAI-E) is its ability to compare an individual’s interests to the interests of people already in various careers. This comparison is based on surveys of individuals who are already working in specific careers, and it provides valuable insight into the personality traits, abilities, and skills that are typically associated with each career. By comparing a student’s interests to those of people in various careers, the CAI-E can help identify careers that are well-suited to their abilities and interests.

This information can be incredibly beneficial for individuals who are exploring their career options and trying to determine the best fit for them. It can help individuals understand the type of work they would enjoy and excel at, as well as the type of environment and culture they would thrive in. In doing so, it offers students the ability to make more informed decisions about their future careers and increase their chances of achieving career success.

Testimonials

Dr. Cheryl Arutt, PsyD, Clinical & Forensic Psychologist

"I have known Dr. Thurlow for 25 years and give her my highest recommendation! She is that special kind of expert who really listens, combining her deep knowledge and experience as a neuropsychologist with her compassion as a human/parent/friend to illuminate ways to really support and deeply understand young people whose brains work differently. Her evaluations improve lives, and I always know those I refer to Dr. Thurlow will be in excellent hands."

Dr. Mandy Moradi, Clinical Consultant Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center

"I have collaborated with Dr. Thurlow in various capacities over the years. She is an exceptionally bright psychologist who is committed to the wellbeing of our neurodivergent community. There is wide variability when it comes to evaluation quality, and finding a professional who offers best practice evaluations using gold-standard measures can be challenging. Dr. Thurlow offers the kind of sensitive, thorough, and evidence-based assessments that I trust. I recommend Dr. Thurlow without hesitation."

Dr. Jesse Olague, Child Psychologist, Del Mar

"Dr. Thurlow is without a doubt the best diagnostician in San Diego. Not only does she have the experience and high-level skills to understand even the most complex cases, she is also incredibly compassionate and kind. Families and professionals alike love working with her. I trust her clinical judgment without reservation."

David Teitelman, parent of a neurodivergent child.

"Dr. Thurlow is a spectacular psychologist/diagnostician. I can attest to her expertise in the areas of autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, and Neuro divergence. Dr. Thurlow was able to determine significant flaws in a previous evaluation of my neurodivergent child. With her help, we were finally able to obtain an accurate diagnosis after many years of struggle.

Dr. Thurlow's consultation, compassion, and support in obtaining an accurate diagnosis has truly been life-changing for our family."

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Email: Contact@BrainSpectrumNeuro.com

888 Prospect Street, Suite 200, La Jolla, CA 92037