psychological assessment & Diagnosis
We provide state of the art assessments in a comfortable, family friendly environment with feedback and recommendations the same day.
We provide assessments for:
- ADHD
- Autism & Asperger's Disorder
- Dyslexia / Reading & Writing Disorder
- Math Disorder
- Processing Speed Disorder
- Nonverbal Learning Disability
- Communication Disorder
- Talented & Gifted Learners
- Mental Retardation
- Emotional Disorders: Depression & Anxiety
- Behavioral Disorders
If your child has had previous testing and you are unsure if additional testing needs to be completed, please click here.
For more information, click on the test names below. Autism / Asperger's Disorder Assessment
Fee Information Reading (Dyslexia), Writing & Math - Educational Assessments
Fee Information
Talented & Gifted - Educational Assessments
Fee Information ADHD ASSESSMENT
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Diagnostic Interview: (All ages) This is a comprehensive interview between the psychologist and an individual/caregiver that identifies all biological and academic history of relevance to the assessment question. During this interview, specific diagnostic criteria are reviewed.
- Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder Test: (Ages 3-23) This is a questionnaire that assesses diagnostic symptoms of ADHD required to have a medical diagnoses of ADHD.
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Clinical Assessment of Attention Deficit: (Ages 8-79 for Self, Parent/Spouse & Teacher) This is a questionnaire that assesses the traditional symptoms of ADHD. It also assists in identifying the specific contexts in which the client's behaviors are most problematic and their compensatory strategies. The parent and teacher complete this inventory, if possible.
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Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function: (Ages 2-90 for Self, Parent/Spouse & Teacher) This is a questionnaire that assesses executive functioning. Executive functioning is the primary difficulty in ADHD. It is defined as ''a collection of processes that are responsible for guiding, directing, and managing cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions, particularly during active, novel problem solving'. The parent and teacher complete this inventory, if possible.
- Tests of Variable Attention: (Ages 4+) This is a computer based Continuous Performance Test (CPT) completed by the child/adult being assessed. A CPT test is considered the best measure of ADHD assessment in the field at this time.
- Feedback & Recommendations the same day.
- Written report that you can share with academic providers and medical professionals.
Fee Information
Consultation
Do you want to better understand your child's previous assessments? Many parents know that their child has had an assessment in the past, either at school or with another mental health provider. However, the important information that is provided by those assessments, such as how to be an effective parent and how your child learns, is rarely explained in a way that parents truly understand and can use. Dr. Arnold routinely provides consultation to families in this situation. This means that you bring the previous assessments, and she teaches you what they mean, what they say about your child's development, explains how your child learns most effectively, and provides any needed resources or recommendations.
Are you unsure which assessment package to choose? Dr. Arnold charges by the hour for consultation as well as assessments. Think of an assessment as 'testing + consultation'. This means that you are not 'charged more' for the consultation just because it happens on a different day, it is information the psychologist would obtain in either type of meeting. During a consultation background information is obtained and appropriate assessments are recommended if it would help clarify the diagnosis and treatment.
Social Security & Disability Assessments
SSI and DDS need assessments to qualify your family member for disability funds. Typically, they require cognitive and adaptive assessments, as well as an interview. Persons with severe challenges typically take less time to assess compared to typically developing children. Hence, I charge by the hour for these assessments. Please call and share with me which assessments are required, and I will quote you the price for the assessment. You may also fax me the form from SSI/DDS and I will know which tests are needed.
Ages of Assessment Clients
Dr. Arnold is a child & adolesecnt development expert. Dr. Friedrichs is an expert in adult and gertiatic issues. This means that we literally provide assessments for individuals of all chronological and developmental ages.
Cost of Assessments
Cost of Full Assessment
| |
Fee |
| Learning Disability |
|
0-6 years |
$960 |
6-adulthood |
$1440 |
| Talented & Gifted |
|
0-6 years |
$960 |
6-adulthood |
$1280 |
| Autism & Asperger's Disorders |
|
All Ages |
$1280 |
| ADHD |
|
3-4 years |
$800 |
5-18 years |
$1280 |
19-adulthood |
$1280 |
- If you are unsure which type of assessment to choose click here.
- If you are unsure whether all tests need to be administered because your child has had previous testing click here.
- The fee listed above is an estimation. The estimation is based on the number of hours it usually takes to complete the assessment at my hourly rate. Your final fee is based on the actual number of hours needed to complete the assessment.
- It may be that some or all of the tests are given. The age of the examinee determines which tests are administered.
- Insurance companies differ regarding payment of learning disability assessments. ADHD and Autism Spectrum assessments are typically covered.
- We encourage you to call your insurance provider and ask, "What is my psychological testing (CPT code 96101) benefit? Do I need preauthorization? What are the exclusions to my policy? What is my deductible?".
- After you make an appointment, please read the section below.
information about a scheduled assessment
First, congratulations! This is likely going to be a very hepful and important day for your family. Most families leave with new excitement, understanding and hope.
Here is some information to help you get ready.
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What should I tell my child?
- Kids often know that they are struggling in some area. Often, it is best to tell a child, "You know how hard you try at school? ...how frustrated you get? I have found someone who is going to help us figure it out and make things better."
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Who should come?
- Autism, Gifted and Learning Disability: I need 1 parent and the examinee for the whole day. Throughout the day I interview parent/s and give diagnosis/treatment feedback. Many families prefer to have both parents in these meetings.
- ADHD: For kids 3-18, I need the child from about 10-12 and 1 parent for the remainder of the day. I interview parent/s and give diagnosis/treatment feedback after lunch (around 1). Many families prefer to have both parents in these meetings.
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Young children and children with behavioral challenges need to have a chaperone in the lobby while parents are talking with me in private. Please use your discretion. For much of the time a receptionist will be present to keep a watchful eye, but she is not a babysitter and is not responsible for your child.
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What should I bring?
- ...your child's glasses, if prescribed.
- Current IEP & past assessments: If a child has an IEP, they have likely had an assessment. Please ask the school/psychologist for a copy of the standard scores of all previous assessments. I am especially interested in WPPSI, WISC, WAIS, WJ, WIAT & WRAML scores. (You should see these initials on the assessments they give you.)
- ...quiet toys for your child to play for about 3 hours.
- ...snacks and a lunch fo your child. You may use our microwave and refrigerator.
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Should I give my child their medications?
- Autism, Gifted and Learning Disability: Yes, I would like to test your child's best ability.
- ADHD: It is up to you. Some parents prefer for me to test their child without meds, so I can document the child's level of impairment. Others prefer for me to test their child on meds, to get their best ability and to see if the meds are working.
- How will the day progress?
- Arrive at 9 a.m.
- When you arrive I will meet with parents briefly to share paperwork/questionnaires to work on while I work with your child.
- I will complete approximately 1.5-2 hours of assessment with your child.
- ADHD: Kids being tested for ADHD can leave for the day, while I complete the remainder of the assessment with parents.
- Your child will then eat lunch while I interview parent/s.
- Autism, Gifted and Learning Disability: After lunch I will complete another 1-2 hour assessment with your child.
- Last, I share diagnosis/treatment feedback with parents.
- Can you answer questions about my child's other mental health difficulties?
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Often parents have multiple concerns (e.g., Dyslexia, Attention & Behavior). Adding additional assessments/feedback is not a problem. However, additional concerns require additional time. My goal is to answer the primary question presented today and then to allocate time for additional concerns later the same day or on another day.
- Will insurance cover the assessment?
- If you are going to use insurance for payment, it is important that you check your benefits. Often, mental health benefits are different from major medical benefits. While we may check your insurance, this is not a guarantee of payment.
- We are preferred providers for BCBS, ODS, MHN &TriCare. For all other plans we are "out of network ". This may make a difference in insurance coverage.
- Your insurance provider's phone number is on your insurance card. Call and ask:
- Do I have mental health benefits?
- How many treatment sessions are allowed per year? How many have I already used? Are these 1 or 1.5 hour sessions?
- Does my plan allow psychological assessment? (CPT code 96101)
- What is my copay/coinsurance? Is this different for psychological testing?
- What is my deductible?
- What are the exclusions to my policy? (e.g., Learning Disabilities)
- Most insurance policies deny all Learning Disability & Mental Retardation diagnoses and assessments. They typically cover ADHD, Autism and emotional issues if you have mental health coverage on your policy. If the examinee has a Learning Disability as well as Autism, ADHD or emotional issue, they may cover all or part of the evaluation.
- After our meeting I submit the type of work (e.g., interview & testing) and diagnoses to the insurance company. They will remit payment for what your plan allows. You are responsible to pay the difference.
- Note: Assessments are billed based on the amount of time needed to complete the assessments, give feedback and write a comprehensive report. The fees are estimated based on the amount of time that is expected to assess your child. For most children, this is adequate time. However, it is possible that additional time (e.g., due to slow processing speed), additional testing (e.g., due to multiple disabilities) or additional feedback (e.g., due to more time needed to discuss scores and treatment options) may be needed to clarify your child's challenges. Additional time spent will be billed at the hourly rate ($160/hr).
Assessments AVailable
- Adoption
- Diagnostic Interview & MMPI (Personality)
- Cognitive
- Mullen Scales of Early Learning
- Wechsler Preschool & Primary Scale of Intelligence
- Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
- Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale
- Kaufman - Brief Intelligence Scale
- Academic
- Woodcock Johnson - Tests of Achievement
- Wide Range Achievement Test
- Dyslexia Specific:
- Gray Oral Reading Test
- Comprehensive Test of Phonological Awareness
- Gifted Rating Scale
- Behavioral/ ADHD
- Attention Deficit - Hyperactivity Disorder Test
- Behavior Assessment System for Children
- Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Functioning
- Clinical Assessment of Attention Deficit
- Eyberg Child Behavior Inventory
- Motivation Assessment Scale
- Parent Stress Inventory
- Sutter-Eyberg Student Behavior Inventory-Reviesd
- Tests of Variable Attention (CPT)
- Emotional
- Beck Anxiety Inventory
- Beck Depression Inventory
- Beck Hopelessness Scale
- Children's Depression Inventory
- MCMI
- MMPI
- SCL-90-R
- Autism Specific
- Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule
- Gilliam Autism Rating Scale
- Gilliam Asperger's Rating Scale
- Children's Autism Rating Scale
- Adaptive
- Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scale
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