Information and Steps for Evaluations - Pediatric Psychology Associates

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The decision to have your child evaluated is an important one, and choosing a psychologist to complete this evaluation is just as important. At Pediatric Psychology Associates we pride ourselves in keeping up-to-date with the latest available psychological tests and research. Our evaluations are comprehensive and individualized and as a result, testing is completed carefully and with attention to detail, so it takes time. We strongly believe that conducting our evaluations over several days and through a variety of data-collection methods (direct test administration, observations, consults, etc.) allows us to best understand a child’s behavioral, emotional, academic and cognitive functioning.

There are a number of reasons parents and schools may request an evaluation for a child. Our comprehensive evaluations will be helpful in answering questions regarding your child’s overall developmental profile and learning styles (including strengths and weaknesses), as well as emotional and behavioral functioning. Common referral reasons are to provide diagnostic clarification regarding:

Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Autism Spectrum Disorders
Disruptive Behavior Problems (Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Conduct Disorder, etc.)
Early Childhood and Developmental Concerns
Learning Disabilities (i.e., dyslexia, math, nonverbal, processing, etc.)
Mood Disorders (Depression, Anxiety, Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, Bipolar Disorder)
Socials Skills/Functioning
Study Skills, Organization and Executive Functioning
Traumatic Brain Injuries and other Neurological Disorders
Reactions to Divorce, Traumatic Events, etc.

Upon completion of test administration, extensive time is spent interpreting the results and explaining them in a manner that is understandable to the reader, thereby providing practical and useful suggestions. Our evaluations are accepted in the public and private schools and can assist your child in receiving the necessary accommodations and services he/she may need to be successful. The written report serves as a guideline for treatment to help your child succeed in every aspect of his/her life, thus also helping him/her gain confidence and a sense of self-efficacy.

We are able to conduct evaluations in office, through video conferencing or using a combination of these modalities based on your child’s needs.

I. Gifted/Intelligence Evaluations

Information about Gifted/Intelligence Evaluations

Age range: 2½ to adulthood
Fee: $500

II. Developmental Evaluations

Web-based Evaluation for the Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders (WEEI-ASD)

Age range: Children ages 0 – 3 years (Services completed through observation/conference)

Evaluator: Pediatric Psychologist
Fee: $1,850

Multi-Disci plinary Developmental Clinic (MDDC) Evaluations

Age range: Children ages 0 – 3 years (Services completed in office)
Evaluators: Team composed of a Pediatric Psychologist, Pediatric Occupational Therapist, and Pediatric Speech/Language Pathologist
Fee: $2,000 (additional $500 if supplementary testing is required to rule out/diagnose an Autism Spectrum Disorder using the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule- ADOS-2).

III. Psychodevelopmental / Psychological Evaluations

Age range: Children ages 3 – 4 years
Fee: $3,500**

IV. Psychoeducational / Psychological Evaluations

Age range: 5 years to adulthood
Fee: $4,200-$5,000**

V. Neuropsychological Evaluations

Age range: 5 years to adulthood
Fee: Generally $4,200-$5,000** but may vary in cost depending on the case’s complexity and extensiveness of medical history and related record review.

Evaluations that are conducted on-site at the child’s school or at a location other than one of our offices within a 5-mile radius of the office incur an additional flat charge of $300. For testing outside the 5-mile range, please discuss directly with the office.

**Fee for Psychoeducational/Psychological and Neuropsychological evaluations involving senior psychologists/practice owners, Dr. Judith Migoya and Dr. Samantha Carella, as well as senior psychologist, Dr. Jessica Garcia is $5,000. Cases involving extensive medical record review may incur an additional charge. These fees do not apply to forensic evaluations. Please contact us to discuss fees if the evaluation you need is related to a forensic case.

At times, parents don't know whether or not their child needs an evaluation. In these instances, an initial Caregiver/Parent(s) Interview and Consultation can be scheduled at our standard intake rate to discuss information regarding presenting concerns and relevant history necessary to determine whether an evaluation is needed. If following the consultation testing is commenced, the consultation fee would be applied to the total evaluation fee, since the Caregiver/Parent(s) Interview and Consultation appointment is part of the evaluation process.

Below is a breakdown and steps of what our evaluation procedure entails (this does not include procedures for our Multi-Disciplinary Developmental Evaluations, Web-based Evaluation for the Early Identification of Autism Spectrum Disorders (WEEI-ASD) or our Gifted/Intelligence Evaluations, which have a different procedural structure described separately in our Services page).

Description	Approximate Time
Step 1. Caregiver/Parent(s) Interview and Consultation This first meeting is a very important step in the evaluation process. The evaluator will meet with the child’s parent/caregiver(s) to obtain information about the child’s school, medical, and developmental history, and learn about any social, emotional, or behavioral concerns. This will provide a better understanding of the nature of the concerns and assist the evaluator in deciding which tests should be administered.	1 hour
Step 2. Testing Sessions – 1 to 4 meetings During the testing sessions, many areas will be measured depending on the referral reason, information gathered in the parent interview and age of the child – Below are the different areas that may be measured and the time frame needed.	4 to 8 hours
Time Frame Needed:
Intellectual Functioning	1 – 2 hours
Academic Achievement	1 – 2 hours
Visual Motor Integration and Graphomotor Function	.5 hour
Information Processing Tests – These tests measure Memory Language, Attention, Auditory/Visual Processing, Executive Functions, etc.	1 – 3 hours
Psychological and Emotional Testing-screener	1 hour
Questionnaires and Behavior Rating Scales	1 hour
Tests of Adaptive behavior	.5 hour
Assessment of Autism Spectrum Disorders (if appropriate)	1 – 2 hours
School Observation and Consultation (if appropriate) *	1 hour
Extensive/more in-depth emotional testing *	1 – 2 hours
Neuropsychological testing *	2 – 4 hours
(Additional Testing Services for an additional charge of $225.00 per 45 minutes)*
Step 3. Scoring, Interpretation and Written Report The questionnaires and tests are scored, analyzed and interpreted. Medical, psychological and school records are also reviewed. Findings from the testing, observations, and information gathered are all considered when the overall interpretations and conclusions are made. A written detailed report is completed.	10 hours
Step 4. Feedback session with Parent/Caregiver(s) An appointment will be made to review the results of the evaluation. During this meeting, a detailed written report is presented and reviewed with the family. The child’s strengths and weaknesses are discussed, and individualized intervention/treatment recommendations are provided to serve as a guide to help the child succeed academically, socially, emotionally, and behaviorally.	1 hour

Following the Feedback session, some families request that the evaluating Psychologist attend a school meeting to help explain the evaluation results to the child’s school and professionals that are working with the child. The evaluating Psychologist may also be requested to assist the team in developing educational plans and accessing services that the child needs. These are considered additional services billed accordingly.