At Woodlynde School, the journey of empowering students who learn differently isn’t just about transformation – it’s about possibility. Many people know that Woodlynde redefines what’s possible for its students. Woodlynde also sets a shining example of inclusive education far beyond its walls. The school serves the wider community through a range of innovative external programs built with nearly 50 years of experience and understanding. 

Realizing that your child is struggling in a mainstream classroom can be jarring. The journey from that moment to testing and diagnosis is often not linear. For many parents, understanding their child’s learning needs is fraught with uncertainty and frustration, leaving them feeling overwhelmed and unsure of what steps to take next. As a renowned school for learning differences, Woodlynde has seen thousands of families with similar stories.   

In 2024, the school took a major step in supporting both Woodlynde students and the broader community by launching Woodlynde’s Diagnostic and Assessment Center. Led by Dr. Jay Tarnoff, PhD, NCSP, ABPP, a full-time on-site school psychologist, the center provides comprehensive neuropsychological and academic evaluations. 

 “We understand how overwhelming the testing process can be for families,” Dr. Tarnoff shares. “Because we work with students with learning differences every day, we’re uniquely positioned to make this process more approachable and supportive. Our goal is to not only provide accurate, professional assessments but also to guide families toward solutions that truly meet their child’s needs.” 

In addition to Dr. Tarnoff’s clinical expertise and neuropsychological evaluations, Woodlynde offers customizable academic assessments, occupational therapy assessments, and speech-language evaluations both to current students and the broader community. A tailored battery of subtests can address concerns in reading, writing, mathematics, executive functioning, and other key skills—providing a clear understanding of the supports each student needs to succeed.  

MB Spencer, Woodlynde’s Chief Education Officer, offers insight into the need for academic testing, in addition to neuropsychological testing, “Dr. Tarnoff’s neuropsych evaluations provide the big picture, while the academic tests give a detailed view of day-to-day needs, helping us tailor interventions and strategies for each student—differentiating the needs of those with the same diagnosis.” 

At its core, Woodlynde offers families a renewed sense of hope both through its school and Diagnostic & Assessment Center, showing them that with the right tools and guidance, their child’s future is full of possibility. 

For more information about Woodlynde and its Diagnostic & Assessment Center, visit woodlynde.org or email Dr. Tarnoff at assessment@woodlynde.org

Why go to Woodlynde when there are other testing centers in the Philadelphia area?  

Expertise in Learning Differences: Woodlynde’s mission is to support and educate students who learn differently, offering unmatched expertise in evaluating and addressing student needs.  

Holistic Approach: Combining neuropsychological, academic, occupational, and speech-language evaluations, Woodlynde provides a comprehensive experience for each student.  

Actionable Insights: Assessments don’t just identify challenges—they provide practical strategies tailored to the student’s day-to-day needs, empowering teaching teams and families with clear next steps.   

Guidance Beyond Testing: The Diagnostic and Assessment Center helps families at Woodlynde and beyond navigate their options, including recommending school settings to look at that may be the best fit for the child.