process

Q: what is the testing process like?

We are happy to schedule a brief complimentary telephone consultation to discuss what you hope to gain from an evaluation and to share our general procedures (approximately 15 minutes; free) however, it is most efficient if you first register in our client portal so that we have the benefit of your intake input and other information when talking with you. 

In order to establish a comprehensive understanding of your needs, evaluators will meet with you for a virtual intake meeting^* (approximately 45–60 minutes as well as evaluator's time spent to review information in advance and complete/send follow-up documents; $430). Records (i.e., prior reports, school transcripts) should be sent in advance. We discuss relevant history, identify current concerns, review what type of testing may be necessary, and what will be involved in the process. We talk through your hopes and concerns regarding the process and outline logistics. This information gathering allows us to select the appropriate measures and approaches to address the question(s) at hand, which culminates in creation of an individualized evaluation plan. Following this meeting, the evaluator will send you a formal assessment agreement, which outlines the purpose/nature of testing, associated cost, time involved, and related expectations of both the evaluator and the participant.  * intake may be bypassed for returning clients under some conditions. 

A full battery of tests typically requires several hours to complete, and we emphasize the client’s needs and comfort in establishing a schedule for evaluation. Testing will be split up or consolidated in personalized ways but is most often completed on 2 or 3 separate dates, in blocks of time reserved in approximately 3-hour intervals. We do a number of hands-on and interactive activities that show us how a person functions, and some that are more focused and independent (i.e. tests of reading comprehension, measuring attention, completing a survey of thoughts, feelings, and behaviors). 

While work is occurring in the office, parents, teachers, and significant others serve as collateral resources to provide input via various questionnaires. We often speak to other providers (i.e. therapist, tutor, psychiatrist) and aim to appreciate your experience in context. The testing process is a dynamic one, and as information is collected, an evaluator may consult with you to adjust your individualized evaluation plan to perhaps abbreviate or supplement it.

Once the proper information has been obtained through clinical evaluation, interview, and consultation, evaluators score, analyze, and interpret data which is then compiled in a formal written report. We customize the report based on its intended audience and include thorough, targeted recommendations. In most cases, this report will be completed within three to four weeks of final data collection.

We schedule a feedback appointment to share the report with you, review and discuss findings, and assist you in contemplating next steps (approximately 60–90 minutes for adult clients/parents and 15-30 minutes for children/teens; included in testing fees). These meetings primarily occur virtually.

Based on your preferences, we can then help schools, therapists, physicians, and other providers integrate report results.

sample testing timeline

Please be mindful that this is an example.
Process length is subject to change based on needs and availability.