1.
What is a “Psychological Evaluation”?
Psychological Evaluations are a group of tests
administered by our evaluation team to assist
parents and teachers in developing an understanding
of a child’s strengths and weaknesses. The profile
is used to determine what assistance your child
needs and what the priorities for treatment should
be. Solutions evaluations are unique in that
children, adolescents, and adults are assessed with
the most recent research-based tools available in
the field.
2. Who will provide the testing for my child?
Solutions uses a “team” approach to assessment. Each
evaluator has a graduate degree in psychology, as
well as post-graduate training to remain up-to-date
on assessment skills. In addition, each child we
assess is discussed in a “group supervision” process
that includes all clinical staff so that the
expertise of each staff member is utilized to ensure
the most complete understanding of your child.
3. How are your evaluations different from
school-based evaluations?
The state and federal mandates for school-based
assessments are for school personnel to determine
whether your child meets criteria for
legally-mandated services at the expense of the
school system. Our assessments may include similar
testing, but the focus of our assessment is to
assess your child’s functioning in all necessary
areas to determine what intervention can make your
child a successful learner and an
emotionally-healthy individual. Our recommendations
may include private, community-based, and
school-based interventions. Solutions maintains
extensive knowledge of local, regional and state
resources for children and adults.
4. What types of testing do you offer?
Solutions offers individual psychological
evaluations when children or adults are suspected of
having: a learning disorder, ADHD, dyslexia,
high-functioning autism or Asperger’s Disorder,
depression or Bipolar Disorder, as well as anxiety
disorders. In addition, parents and individuals may
choose an assessment to assist with educational
planning, to determine appropriateness of gifted
curriculum, for private school placement,
residential treatment, etc.
5. What kind of “tests” or assessment tools do
you administer at Solutions?
☼ Comprehensive
diagnostic interview
☼ Parent/teacher
questionnaires
☼ Self-report questionnaires
☼ Standardized psychological tests
-
IQ,
Achievement Testing
☼ Learning
assessment tools, including:
- Phonological Awareness assessment
- Neurodevelopmental assessment tools
- Reading, Writing, Math assessment
☼ Classroom
behavioral observations
☼ Review
of work samples
☼ Computerized
attention testing
☼ Personality/emotional/social
assessment
6. How long does the testing take?
The length of the assessment varies dependent upon
which tests we feel we must administer to understand
your child’s needs, as well as based on the pace of
your child during testing, how many breaks are
necessary, etc. However, we typically allow 6 hours
of one-on-one testing with your child to complete
the entire battery of tests. Please note that this
may vary significantly based on a number of factors
including how rapidly your child processes
information, his/her level of anxiety with regard to
test taking, his/her degree of knowledge, etc.
Testing is typically only administered in the
morning, to ensure the reliability and validity of
the testing results by administering the tests at a
time when your child is not fatigued.
7. What do I tell my child about coming to
Solutions?
Most children enjoy the assessment process, as it is
an opportunity to spend one-on-one time engaged in a
variety of tasks, with an adult’s full attention.
Some portions of the assessment may prove more
difficult than others as we gain an understanding of
the child’s strengths and needs. We recommend that
you explain to your child that you want to help make
school more fun or less frustrating for him or her,
and that the “testing” will help you understand how
he/she learns. The day of the initial consultation
is scheduled in advance to allow your child an
opportunity to become comfortable with our office
and staff. Anxious children may need further
explanation. Feel free to ask one of our clinical
staff how best to handle this if you have any
concerns.
8. What should I bring to my first appointment?
Your first appointment is critical to the
development of an evaluation plan. Please bring any
previous evaluations your child may have had,
samples of his/her class work and homework, academic
and behavioral reports, as well as information
regarding your child’s medical, developmental,
academic, and family history.
9. Is this process confidential?
Yes. You have complete control of the information
gained during the evaluation. It is released to
others only with your permission. Solutions is an
independent private psychological practice.
10. What happens after the testing?
The results of your child’s testing will be reviewed
following the assessment with you by one of our
clinicians. At this time, you will be made aware of
strengths and concerns regarding your child, any
appropriate diagnosis, our recommendations, and
referral information (for counseling, tutoring,
further testing, and in some cases, medication). You
will receive a written report with all assessment
information and recommendations approximately three
weeks later. Some parents choose to have one of our
clinical staff review the testing data with a
professional at their child’s school. Solutions
provides advocacy services to assist parents in
seeking appropriate services for their children.
11. How much does the evaluation cost?
The cost of the assessment varies dependent upon
several factors, including the time necessary to
complete the assessment, and your insurance
benefits. Solutions participates with Blue
Cross/Blue Shield, the State Health Plan,
HealthChoice, Primary Physician Care, and Direct Net
(this means that we file the insurance directly to
these plans, and that you are responsible for the
amount your policy indicates as an “in-network
benefit”). Individuals with other
plans (including BCBS plans whose mental health
benefits are managed by another company) are
provided with a completed insurance claim form to
submit to their insurance company to access their
benefits. We are pleased to assist you in seeking
reimbursement from your insurance company. We also
accept Visa, Mastercard and debit cards. For more
information on billing or insurance, please call our
office and ask to speak with the Office Manager. |
