psychological assessment & Diagnosis
We provide state of the art assessments in a comfortable, family friendly environment with feedback and recommendations.
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.
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Cognitive Assessment: This assessment is given to the patient. This assessment discerns intelligence/cognitive skills, specifically in the areas of verbal, nonverbal/performance, memory and processing speed.
- 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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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.
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
The cost of the assessment is determined by several factors:
- age of the person
- level of disability or giftedness
- previous assessments/scores that may not need to be repeated
- multiple concerns (e.g., ADHD & Learning Disability)
- review of previous assessments
- extended feedback
Cost of Assessment - Estimate
| Autism Spectrum |
- Ages 0-5: 6-8 hours
- Ages 6+: 8-12 hours
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| Gifted Learning |
- Ages 0-5: 6-8 hours
- Ages 6+: 8-12 hours
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| Learning Disability |
- Ages 0-5: 6-8 hours
- Ages 6+: 8-12 hours
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| ADHD |
- Ages 0-5: 2-4 hours
- Ages 6+: 8-12 hours
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- Learning Disability - Academic testing is not covered by insurance. In an effort to reduce cost to families, our masteres level assessment technician will complete these assessments.
- 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?".
- We require a deposit before the assessment is completed. The amount of the deposit depends on the insurance coverage and type of assessment.
The assessment process:
- Make your 1st appointment by completing the Make An Appointment form. Bring all previous assessments completed by other providers to that appointment.
- During the first appointment we will determine 1) what tests should be given 2) the lowest cost assessment technician 3) schedule the assessment.
- Note: If we are not in network with your insurance plan, our masters level assessment technician will complete the testing. This will significantly reduce the cost to you.
What you get from the assessment:
- A complete assessment for the concerns that are tested.
- 1 hour feedback session.
- An extended written report documenting everything found. This should be given to schools and medical providers working with the patient.
- Note: The goal of an assessment is to identify and document challenges. Included is a brief feedback session of the information found. You may schedule additional treatment sessions to address the information found in the assessment.
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.
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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.
- 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.
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
- Wechsler Indicidual Achievement Test
- 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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