Blog

  • The role of Clinical Outcome Assessments (COAs) in cognition and dementia research and treatment

    An older woman in a gray blouse is seated at a table playing chess.

    Tracking cognitive functioning remains a critical part of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and dementia research. When used properly, COAs offer valuable insights into patients’ conditions, helping researchers track patients’ progress and assess a drug’s efficacy throughout clinical trials.

    However, choosing suboptimal scales can be catastrophic for clinical research. The cognitive scales used in the majority of clinical trials for AD, for example, have been pivotal to the failure of 98% of Phase 2 and 3 clinical trials.

    In this blog, we’ll discuss how COAs can make or break clinical trial outcomes and share how sponsors can select the optimal scales for their AD clinical research programs.

    Read more
  • Enhancing Autism Diagnosis and Care with Digital Tools

    Digital tools are at the forefront of autism screening. The potential to improve screening, reduce disparities in screening and intervention, provide information to develop appropriate interventions, and streamline care has made them a go-to resource for clinicians.

    “Enhancing Autism Diagnosis and Care with Digital Tools,” the third episode of Pearson's podcast, featured an engaging conversation with Pearson assessment consultant Colleen Williams.

    Williams shared her thoughts on the role of digital tools for reducing caregiver burden, how digital tools can support progress monitoring and changing needs across different environments and the benefits of digital scoring for accessing additional metrics that could be valuable in targeting interventions.

    The conversation kicked off with a discussion of the benefits of digital tools. Williams shared her thoughts on their utility and accessibility, cost-effectiveness, time efficiency, and the ability to access real-time results through digital platforms like Q-global and Q-interactive.

    Digital tools also offer the potential for long-term progress tracking that makes it easier for clinicians to offer valuable insights for continuous monitoring.

    The benefits have been made possible as a result of the growing availability of digital assessments for autism that include:

    • ASRS (Autism Spectrum Rating Scales)
    • BASC-3 (Behavior Assessment System for Children - Third Edition)
    • WISC-V / WAIS-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children / Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale - Fifth Edition)
    • Vineland-3 (Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales - Third Edition)
    • Sensory Profile 2
    • Conners 4 (Conners Rating Scales)

    With more assessments available, clinicians can choose digital tools that improve the accuracy, efficiency, and accessibility of autism assessments. Williams believes digital versions of performance-based tests like the WISC/WAIS can “engage children more effectively compared to traditional pencil-and-paper methods.”

    Pearson includes step-by-step instructions with all of their assessments to ensure accurate administration and maintain fidelity in assessments. Clinicians can be assured that the tools have maximum benefit.

    Williams also shared her thoughts on the advantages of digital scoring, noting, “All evaluations require various data points from different settings. Digital assessments allow for multiple modes of delivery, providing clinicians with the opportunity to compare scores across different platforms.”

    “By comparing scores from different tools or delivery methods, clinicians may discover that a patient responds better to a digital platform or vice versa, helping tailor interventions for more effective outcomes,” she adds.

    For more insights, listen to “Enhancing Autism Diagnosis and Care with Digital Tools,” the third episode in the podcast series, “Navigating Autism, Transforming Lives: The essential role of assessments.”

    Read more
  • Preparing Teens for College and Career: Tips for Boosting Executive Function

    by Kara Canale M.Ed., NCSP, Clinical Assessment Consultant at Pearson

    A female graduate in a blue cap and gown hugs another woman outdoors, surrounded by lush greenery, expressing joy.

    College attendance is up. While total postsecondary enrollment was down the past few years, it finally rebounded above pre-COVID levels in the Fall of 2024, according to the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center. Undergraduate enrollment rose 4.7% YoY, while freshman enrollment rose 5.5% YoY, meaning more high school students are contemplating postsecondary education. At the same time, students in this age group are grappling with more mental health issues than ever.

    High school educators have a golden opportunity to help students prepare for the transition, whether they are heading to a community college, attending a four-year school or training for a full-time career.

    Read more
  • Evolving Role of Occupational Therapists in Autism Care

    by Shelley Hughes, OTR and Director of Portfolio Management and Delivery, Pearson Clinical Assessment

    Graphic banner with text "Navigating Autism, Transforming Lives: The essential role of assessments" and additional details about occupational therapists in autism care.

    For autistic adults and children, a comprehensive approach to patient care can enhance individual strengths, provide tools to overcome challenges, and improve long-term outcomes. As the prevalence of autism has increased, so has the recognition of the value of occupational therapists (OTs). In an engaging conversation on the “Navigating Autism, Transforming Lives” podcast, guest Shelley Hughes, an occupational therapist and director of portfolio management for Pearson Assessments, called OTs “integral members of the autism care team.”

    Read more
  • 3 Key Hiring Tactics for High-Risk Industries

    Talent pools are drying up across high-risk industries like public safety and critical infrastructure sectors (e.g., energy and nuclear). According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, the construction industry will need 439,000 new workers to meet demand in 2025. Staffing at many police and fire departments has reached historic lows

    Available evidence suggests these trends will continue. Younger workers prioritize considerations like work/life balance, low stress, and high flexibility in their jobs — things that high-risk industries aren’t historically known to offer.  

    While high-risk employers cannot change the nature of their work, they can get creative with recruiting and retention tactics. Organizations that act now can gain a long-term advantage over their competitors.  

    Read more
  • How to start the new year on the right foot (and right mindset)

    by Natalie Barnard, M.Ed, Educational Diagnostician and Clinical Assessment Consultant at Pearson; and Kara Canale, M.Ed., NCSP, Clinical Assessment Consultant at Pearson

    Do you ever feel like you need a vacation from your vacation?

    It’s a common lament — and a reality educators may experience as they return from winter break. That’s because the holiday season can bring both excitement and exhaustion. Between checking off first-semester action items (like finalizing grades and organizing end-of-year activities) and managing personal obligations (like planning celebrations or travels), it’s easy to feel drained from wrapping up the school year. The holiday season can also magnify and compound personal struggles, which can lead to a heightened risk of depression or anxiety. Due to the “busyness” of the holidays, it can be difficult for educators to prioritize their own mental health. Yet, it can be tough to “pour” into others when one’s own mental health is compromised.

    While the time off during the holidays can be a source of much-needed rest and rejuvenation, the start of a new year can also bring its own set of pressures, from setting new goals to tackling unfinished work. Here are some tips to help start the year right with mental health as a priority. 

    Read more
  • From Subtle Signs to Support: How to Help Girls with ADHD and Dyslexia

    by Kathleen Woodward, Nationally Certified School Psychologist and Senior Assessment Consultant for Pearson

    According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 11% of U.S. children ages 3 to 17 years have ever been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Boys were overwhelmingly more likely to be diagnosed than girls, at 15% to 8%, respectively. Similarly, dyslexia affects approximately 20% of the world population, and some studies find that males are more often diagnosed with the disorder than females. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean that ADHD and dyslexia occur more often in boys. The more likely situation is that girls are underdiagnosed.

    Read more