Meet Ms. Merrill

Lindsey Merrill is a nationally certified School Psychologist.  She has worked in the school districts for 14 years on tasks involving neuropsychological evaluations, behavior assessments, and parent/teacher consultations.  The neuropsychological assessments involve the IDEA defined assessments for a Specific Learning Disability, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, and Other Health Impairments. 

Specific Learning Disabilities is also known as Specific Learning Disorders in the DSM-5-TR, which by definition involve an impact on academic achievement that may accompany a psychological deficit.  The special education model for a Specific Learning Disability requires both an academic deficit and a neurological deficit.  Ms. Merrill is skilled at assessing both the academic and the neuropsychological impairment.  And, with the help of clinical psychologists, like Dr. Jordan and Dr. Solfelt, her results could help both the medical model and possibly the school model for a Specific Learning Disorder – or what is also known as Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, and Dysgraphia.  Ultimately, special education services are based on a school team approach, but her assessment may help determine the child’s needs in the school setting.

Ms. Merrill is also trained in assessing executive functioning deficits that may be related to Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder.  Attention-Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder encompasses both Inattention and Hyperactive-Impulsive Type.  Her assessments also look at both, in addition to possible accompanying behavior disorders that may co-occur with ADHD.  She will also look at potential processing deficits.  Ms. Merrill will listen to parent concerns and conduct testing to assess processing areas that may assist in future intervention as well as addressing both the medical model and possible implications in the school setting.

Ms. Merrill is able to conduct assessments to assess Autism Spectrum Disorder.  This involves parent assessment, direct assessment of their child, and psychological testing.  Her results with the clinical psychology team can assist in both a medical diagnosis and possible school recommendations based on the schools IEP/504 team and student academic concerns.

Finally, Ms. Merrill can assess an Intellectual Disability, which involves both a cognitive and an adaptive assessment.  Ms. Merrill is experienced in working with children, adolescents, and adults with an Intellectual Disability.  She is also experienced in helping adult students with IEPs transition to colleges and community services, such as vocational rehabilitation.

Ms. Merrill’s education includes a Bachelor’s in Psychology, a Master’s in Education in Human Exceptionality, and a Specialist Degree in School Psychology.  With her bachelors’ degree, she graduated magna cum laude, was the president of her honor’s society, took first place in undergraduate research for the Idaho Psychological Association.  She also has experience with coding ABA behavior and working with behavior economics.  Her specialty involved identifying and correcting behaviors, as well as putting forth behavior plans to assist those with behavioral needs.  She has also worked with programs involving anger management, cognitive behavioral therapy, and dialectical behavioral therapy for depression and anxiety.  She has continued this in the schools with great success.