Comprehensive Independence and Interpersonal Skills Assessment

If you are experiencing a medical or mental health emergency please contact your local emergency responder (911)

Unlocking Potential: A Revolutionary Tool for Evaluating Independence, Interpersonal Dynamics, and Coping Strategies for Enhanced Self-Reliance and Relationship Building

Unlock a deeper understanding of individual capabilities and interpersonal dynamics with the Comprehensive Independence and Interpersonal Skills Assessment (CIISA). Designed for a wide array of settings, from educational institutions to therapeutic environments, CIISA offers a pioneering approach to evaluating three critical areas of personal development:

Independence Skills: Measure an individual's ability to perform daily tasks and manage personal affairs, paving the way for targeted support and development plans that enhance self-reliance.
Interpersonal Style: Gain insights into one's interpersonal dynamics, including communication preferences and social interaction patterns. This knowledge empowers staff and caregivers to tailor their approach, ensuring more effective and harmonious relationships.
Coping Skills: Understand how individuals navigate stress and adversity, identifying strengths and areas for growth. This aspect of the assessment aids in the creation of personalized coping strategies, enhancing resilience and well-being.

Young man walking through city streets at sunset

Comprehensive Independence and Interpersonal Skills Assessment (CIISA)

Article

Discover CIISA: Transform your approach to community and residential support with a tool designed for depth and understanding. CIISA offers a pathway to tailor support precisely, fostering personal growth, enhancing interpersonal harmony, and building resilient communities. Ready to revolutionize care and empower individuals?

Tailored Interventions: By pinpointing specific needs in independence, interpersonal interactions, and coping mechanisms, CIISA enables the design of bespoke support plans that truly resonate with the individual's unique profile.
Enhanced Understanding: For professionals, CIISA offers a detailed portrait of the people they support, fostering a deeper connection and more impactful interventions. For individuals, it provides valuable self-awareness, empowering them to articulate their needs and preferences.

Who Can Benefit?

Educational Institutions: Enhance student support services with precise assessments of student needs, facilitating successful transitions and academic achievement.
Healthcare and Therapy Providers: Deepen patient understanding and tailor therapeutic approaches with comprehensive insights into coping styles and interpersonal dynamics.
Residential Support Programs: Strengthen living environments and foster community harmony with targeted assessments of residents' interpersonal styles and independence skills, ensuring every individual receives the support they need to thrive.

Embark on a journey of discovery and empowerment with CIISA, your partner in fostering independence, enhancing interpersonal relationships, and building resilient coping strategies. Let's unlock the full potential of those you serve, together.

Contact

A Letter to Parents and Support Workers: How CIISA Can Unlock Real Potential

Dear Parents and Support Workers,

If you’ve spent years supporting someone with ASD, ADHD, or a similar condition, you know firsthand how complex the journey can be. From navigating day-to-day tasks to building meaningful relationships, the challenges can often feel overwhelming—not just for the individual, but for everyone around them.

As a clinical psychologist, I’ve seen how crucial it is to truly understand someone’s unique strengths, struggles, and social dynamics. Unfortunately, many assessments out there only scratch the surface, leaving caregivers with more questions than answers. This is where the Comprehensive Independence and Interpersonal Skills Assessment (CIISA) can make a real difference.

Understanding the Whole Person

The CIISA isn’t just another test—it’s an opportunity for you to finally gain deeper insights into the individual you’re supporting. Whether it’s a young adult struggling with independence or someone trying to develop more meaningful social connections, the CIISA evaluates these areas in ways that can directly impact daily life.

It’s not about labels; it’s about understanding what’s happening underneath—how that person navigates stress, how they respond to social cues, and where they might need support in becoming more self-reliant. With that understanding, you’re empowered to provide more targeted, effective care for neurodivergent individuals.

Why CIISA Stands Out

One of the most challenging aspects of supporting individuals with neurodivergence is figuring out where the real obstacles lie. Is it a matter of executive functioning—managing time, planning, and organizing? Is it about social skills—knowing how to start a conversation, read body language, or express feelings? Or perhaps it’s about coping with the emotional weight of navigating life’s complexities.

The CIISA looks at all of this. It helps break down the barriers that often prevent individuals from achieving the independence and social satisfaction they deserve. And for you, the parent, caseworker, or educator, it gives you the blueprint you’ve been missing—a roadmap that outlines the best way to support them.

The Benefits for Parents

As a parent, watching your child struggle can be heartbreaking, especially when they’re nearing adulthood but still facing challenges with everyday independence. Whether they’re about to leave school or just starting to enter the workforce, the question of “what’s next?” looms large.

The CIISA helps answer that question. By evaluating not just their independence skills, but also how they interact with others and handle stress, we can begin to create an actionable plan for the future—one that aligns with their capabilities while also stretching them towards growth.

The Power for Support Workers

For those of you in therapeutic or educational settings, the CIISA gives you the tools to tailor your approach. No more guesswork about which interventions will work. Instead, you’ll gain specific insights into that person’s social patterns and coping mechanisms, enabling you to develop support strategies that actually resonate.

For example, if you’re working with someone who struggles with interpersonal relationships, the CIISA can highlight where those struggles stem from. Is it anxiety, social misunderstandings, or difficulty with emotional regulation? Once you know, you can craft a plan that addresses the root issue rather than just treating symptoms.

A Journey of Self-Understanding

Beyond the benefits for caregivers, the CIISA offers something invaluable to the individuals themselves: self-awareness. Often, those who face difficulties with independence or social interactions are unaware of the specific challenges holding them back. The CIISA helps them see themselves more clearly, offering a moment of realization where they can begin to actively work on improving their own lives.

This self-awareness is empowering. For someone who has struggled with failure to launch or social isolation, understanding their own behaviors and learning practical strategies to overcome obstacles can be the key to long-term success.

Let’s Work Together for Change

As a psychologist who has spent years working with neurodivergent individuals, I can tell you that real change doesn’t happen overnight. But with the right tools and the right approach, it can happen. The CIISA is not just an assessment—it’s the starting point for meaningful, positive growth.

If you’re ready to explore how the CIISA can help the individual you support reach their full potential, I encourage you to reach out. Let’s work together to foster greater independence, stronger relationships, and a more empowered sense of self.

Warmly,
Cody Thomas Rounds
Clinical Psychologist- Master

The College Self-Confidence Series: Empowering Your Academic and Personal Growth

College is a transformative time—a period of both challenge and opportunity. Navigating this new phase requires more than academic skills; it demands self-confidence, resilience, and a clear sense of self. The College Self-Confidence Series is designed to guide students through this journey, providing essential insights and tools for building the self-assurance needed to thrive in all areas of college life.

Self-confidence is more than just feeling good about yourself. It’s about developing a deep understanding of your strengths, managing stress, embracing new experiences, and creating meaningful connections. Through a holistic approach, this series empowers students to unlock their potential by fostering personal growth, academic success, and social well-being.

Why Confidence Matters in College

Confidence is the foundation for success, influencing how students engage in their studies, form relationships, and prepare for future careers. Without it, even the brightest minds can struggle to realize their full potential. This series focuses on helping students build a solid sense of self-worth that carries them through the ups and downs of college life.

Whether you’re learning how to communicate more effectively, conquering presentation anxiety, or finding your place in a new social environment, confidence plays a central role. With the right tools and mindset, students can overcome obstacles and approach each challenge with a sense of purpose and clarity.

A Holistic Approach to Confidence

The College Self-Confidence Series goes beyond traditional academic advice, offering a holistic view of what it means to succeed in college. By integrating practical skills, psychological insights, and self-care practices, the series nurtures confidence from within. This approach not only helps students excel academically but also enriches their overall college experience.

From building stronger social connections to preparing for life beyond college, confidence is the key to thriving in this pivotal time of life. Through self-awareness, emotional resilience, and personal empowerment, students can navigate their college journey with purpose and pride.

Ready to Embrace Your College Journey?

Confidence isn’t something that happens overnight, but with the right guidance, it can be cultivated and strengthened. The College Self-Confidence Series is here to help students at every step, offering valuable insights that support personal growth and success. Prepare to face college life with renewed confidence and a clearer vision of your potential.