What is Psychological Testing?
Psychological Testing begins with a referral question: What is it that you, your doctor, psychiatrist, school, and/or therapist are looking to answer? This may include and is not limited to diagnosis (ADHD, mood disorder, anxiety, learning disability, neurological deficits, etc.), assessment of strengths and weaknesses, treatment recommendations, disability assessment, etc. From there, your clinician identifies various tests that will help answer these questions. The amount of tests used and the length of administration determines the cost of the evaluation. Testing usually occurs over 2 to 3 sessions, ranging from 1 to 3 hours each session. Allow 2-3 weeks following the last day of testing for test interpretation and report writing. A follow-up session is scheduled to review the results of testing.
What is the Process?
First, you will schedule an intake to discuss your specific concerns and create an evaluation plan. The examiner will ask you direct questions to help narrow the referral questions and understand your goals. After confirming that you would like to move forward with testing, you will schedule a date and time for direct assessment with the examiner.
How Much Does Testing Cost?
Testing generally costs approximately $4,000. This total is based on the amount of tests performed and the time it takes to administer, score, analyze, integrate and conceptualize the testing results. It also includes a very thorough evaluation report. We also have payment plans options that you can discuss with your examiner.
Why is it so expensive?
Our comprehensive psycho-educational evaluations completed at Waypoint are incredibly thorough. Public education testing only evaluates educational disabilities, in other words, they typically only test whether or not the student meets eligibility criteria for one of the educational disability areas. Our testing assesses everything and will provide information above and beyond that. We drill down to determine the root cause of the symptoms, which in turn will help inform the IEP team not only make eligibility decisions, but help the unique needs of your child. For example, if the IEP team is suspecting a possible ADHD, they will only assess for ADHD (Other Health Impairment) and possibly learning disabilities (SLD). We would assess those things plus everything else, in depth. We also include tailored recommendations that use your child’s areas of cognitive strength to help compensate for areas of concern..
What is the List of Tests Performed?
This will depend on the referral question and can be specified during the intake. In general, we have access to several tests including:
- WISC-V
- WJ-IV Tests of Cognitive Abilities
- WJ-IV Tests of Achievements
- CPT-3
- NEPSY
- DKEFS
- ADOS
- MIGDAS
- Feifer Assessment of Reading
- Feifer Assessment of Math
- Feifer Assessment of Writing
- MMPI
What Cognitive Areas Are You Able to Assess?
Some areas include but are not limited to the following:
- FSIQ
- Visual Spatial Processing
- Fluid Reasoning
- Crystallized Intelligence (Verbal Ability)
- Auditory Processing
- Phonological Processing
- Orthographical Processing
- Short Term Memory
- Long Term Storage and Retrieval
- Processing Speed
- Quantitative Reasoning
- Inductive/Deductive Reasoning
- Visual Motor Integration
- Executive Functions
- Reading, Writing and Math Achievement
- Cognitive processes related to reading, writing and mathematics
Will Testing Result in Diagnoses?
Your examiner will integrate multiple sources of data that will help derive official diagnoses. Examples of possible diagnoses can include:
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Social Anxiety Disorder
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Bipolar Disorder
- Adjustment Disorders
- Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder
- Intellectual Disabilities
- Personality Disorders
- Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia)
How Long Does the Testing Process Take?
It depends on the specific needs of each client. Typically it takes 1-3 sessions. Each session takes 1.5-2 hours of in-person testing, although it can be more or less than this. A more specific timeframe will be established during the intake.
How Long Does it Take to Get the Results?
It can take up to 8-10 weeks after the last date of testing to complete the evaluation report.
Will Public Schools Accept the Diagnoses for Long-Term Resources?
School based decisions to accept/not accept any medical/psychological diagnoses ultimately is up to the school’s IEP team or 504 committee. The evaluation will provide official diagnoses that you can provide the IEP team to review. Ms. Stackhouse is a school neuropsychologist that works in local county schools in addition to private practice, so she is familiar with the tests and documentation schools will be looking for to accept a diagnosis.
How Will This Evaluation Help?
Learning about your unique profile of strengths and needs is priceless and an in-depth evaluation will provide diagnostic clarity. It will also help match the correct interventions to your individual needs. These findings are often relied upon by other clinicians, doctors, and schools, and can provide a basis for treatment and accommodations.
Is There a Waiting Period Before the Test Can Be Repeated to See If There is Improvement?
This depends on the specific test administered. Typically, the waiting period is one year for standardized measures of cognition and achievement. However, there are other tools that can be used frequently to measure progress. Additionally, curriculum-based assessments are wonderful tools to help monitor and measure progress.
What Long-Term Resources are Available?
The assessment will include a detailed report of the individual’s cognitive, emotional, and learning strengths and weaknesses in addition to recommendations for interventions, strategies and supports. These recommendations are designed for your unique profile, using your individual strengths to help improve your areas of need. The assessment may also provide information or recommendations for other psychological, psychiatric, or developmental interventions if they are appropriate.
What Other Services Do You Provide?
We offer IEP coaching and can help you collaborate with school systems. We can help you navigate the IEP process, and can explain your child’s IEP. Further, we offer academic progress monitoring, and screenings for ADHD, Dyslexia, and Dysgraphia.
To schedule an evaluation or to learn more about the process, please contact Waypoint Wellness Center today by filling out the New Patient Inquiry form.