Question 1

Who should get a neuropsychological assessment?

Accepted Answer

A pediatric neuropsychological assessment may be helpful for children, adolescents, or young adults who have (or are suspected of having):
Learning disabilities (reading, writing, and/or math)
ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder)
Developmental delays
Language disorders
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
Emotional or behavioral challenges
Medical, genetic, or neurological conditions (such as concussions, brain injuries, epilepsy, or other disorders) that affect cognitive function

I use a neuropsychological framework for all assessments, and tailor the evaluation to the specific referral questions and presenting concerns.

Question 2

What are common referral questions for a neuropsychological evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Parents often seek an evaluation to understand why their child is struggling in school, having difficulty focusing, or experiencing academic or emotional challenges. Some common questions include:
Why is my child having trouble learning?
Does my child have dyslexia, dyscalculia, or another learning disorder?
What are my child’s learning strengths and challenges?
Is my child gifted?
Why does my child struggle with attention, memory, organization, planning, time management, or other aspects of executive functioning?
Has my child’s illness, medical condition, or concussion affected their thinking or learning?
Why isn’t my child responding to tutoring, remediation, or other interventions?
What strategies and supports can help at school and home?

Question 3

How can the results of a neuropsychological evaluation help my child?

Accepted Answer

The results of a thorough neuropsychological evaluation provide meaningful insights and actionable steps, including:
A profile of cognitive, academic, and social-emotional strengths and weaknesses
Identification of the root causes of academic, behavioral, or emotional challenges
Clarification of diagnoses to guide treatment decisions, including the need for therapy or medication
Documentation to support eligibility for school accommodations and special education services (IEPs and 504 Plans)
Practical recommendations for academic, social-emotional, and behavioral interventions
A baseline to monitor changes in functioning or the impact of treatment over time

Question 4

How is a private neuropsychological assessment different than a school evaluation?

Accepted Answer

While school-based psychoeducational evaluations are useful in determining eligibility for special education services and accommodations (i.e., IEPs and 504 Plans), they are often limited in scope and designed primarily to meet educational requirements. In contrast, my neuropsychological evaluations are typically more comprehensive than what schools offer by:
Providing a deeper level of assessment: In addition to the expertise of school psychologists, pediatric neuropsychologists receive advanced doctoral and postdoctoral training specifically focused on brain development, brain-behavior relationships, and complex diagnostic clarification.
Evaluating neurocognitive, academic, emotional, and behavioral functioning: School evaluations primarily focus on determining whether a child qualifies for special education services, whereas a neuropsychological assessment examines how underlying cognitive processes (such as attention, memory, and executive functioning) affect learning and other aspects of functioning in daily life.
Diagnosing clinical conditions: Unlike most school-based evaluations, a private neuropsychological assessment can formally diagnose conditions such as ADHD, dyslexia and other learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, and other neurodevelopmental, emotional, and behavioral disorders.
Providing recommendations for beyond the classroom: My assessments provide individualized recommendations for school, home, and other areas of life to support long-term success. 
 
I value the expertise of school psychologists, teachers, and other school personnel and welcome opportunities to collaborate with them to support the best outcomes for students.

Question 5

What does the assessment fee include?

Accepted Answer

Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluation
To ensure a thorough understanding of each student, every comprehensive evaluation includes:
Record review of previous academic and clinical documents
Initial interview with parents to discuss history and concerns
Direct assessment and interview with the student
Parent and teacher questionnaires 
Parent feedback session to discuss the results and next steps
Child feedback session (when appropriate)
Comprehensive report including a detailed review of findings, clinical impressions, and practical recommendations

While teacher questionnaires usually provide sufficient insight, I offer school observations at no additional charge when necessary to clarify a student’s functioning across different environments. Attendance at school meetings (such as IEP or 504 meetings) is not included in the assessment fee but can be arranged separately.

Fees for comprehensive evaluations are based on the complexity and scope of the assessment, with three set-fee tiers. A detailed fee schedule and Good Faith Estimate are available upon request. Please contact me with any questions.

Additional Services
IQ Testing: Available for a fixed fee; includes a written report and, if needed, a brief follow-up phone call to answer questions. Calls longer than 15 minutes are billed at an hourly rate.
Abbreviated Evaluations: Targeted assessments for progress monitoring or specific follow-up needs, billed at an hourly rate.
Consultations: Professional guidance and other services are charged at an hourly rate.

Question 6

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

The Evaluation Center for Learning is a private-pay practice. This model allows me to design evaluation based on clinical needs rather than on insurance alone and ensures:
One-on-one care: Families work exclusively with me throughout the entire process- I do not use trainees or other support staff.
Comprehensive evaluations: Assessments are tailored to each individual's unique needs rather than limited by insurance company guidelines.
Flexible and timely scheduling: No long wait times, with prompt responses to correspondence.
Detailed, high-quality reports: Reports are thorough, actionable, and designed to facilitate timely access to appropriate services.

Many insurers offer partial coverage, but families are encouraged to verify their specific coverage with their insurance provider. To assist with this process, I provide a superbill at the end of the evaluation, which includes information needed to process insurance claims.
 
While I strive to keep my services affordable, I recognize that the cost of a comprehensive assessment can be significant for many families. To make services more accessible, I offer payment plans. If you’re interested in discussing payment options, please let me know when scheduling.

Question 7

What is your cancellation policy?

Accepted Answer

Because I limit the number of individuals I see each month to provide individualized care, last-minute cancellations leave appointment slots unfilled. Cancellations made with less than 3 days' notice will incur a charge of 50% of the assessment fee. Exceptions may be made for extenuating circumstances, such as illness or emergencies.

Question 8

How is a pediatric neuropsychologist different than other specialists?

Accepted Answer

A pediatric neuropsychologist is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialized training in brain-behavior relationships and how brain development affects learning, behavior, and emotions. Pediatric neuropsychologists have advanced training in identifying complex patterns of strengths and weaknesses and integrating cognitive, emotional, medical, and developmental information into a cohesive understanding that goes beyond standard psychological testing.
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School Psychologists:  Focus primarily on determining eligibility for special education services and school-based accommodations rather than providing a formal diagnosis. Their assessments are typically designed to meet educational requirements and may not include a formal diagnosis or in-depth analysis of neurocognitive functioning.
 
Child Clinical and Counseling Psychologists: Provide therapy and occasionally conduct assessments, but their training is generally broader and less specialized in neurocognitive aspects of learning and development. In contrast, a pediatric neuropsychologist’s training is specifically focused on brain development and the complex interplay among cognitive, academic, and social-emotional development, which allows for a more integrated understanding of a child's profile.
 
Pediatric Psychiatrists: Physicians who diagnose and treat emotional and behavioral disorders, primarily through medication management. Their evaluations do not typically include comprehensive cognitive and academic testing.
 
Pediatric neurologists: Physicians who diagnose and treat neurological conditions (e.g., seizures, migraines, and concussions) in children but do not conduct in-depth evaluations of cognitive, academic, social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Their evaluations usually do not include the range of standardized cognitive and academic tests used by pediatric neuropsychologists.
 
Developmental Pediatricians: Physicians who assess and treat children with developmental concerns, but their evaluations typically do not include the range of standardized cognitive and academic tests used by pediatric neuropsychologists.

Evaluation Center for Learning

A Pediatric Neuropsychology Practice

Frequently Asked Questions