FAQs
Understanding Evaluations
What is psychological/psychoeducational testing?
Psychological, psychoeducational, or psychodiagnostic testing is a comprehensive assessment process used to evaluate a person's cognitive, academic, and psychological functioning. It is often used to identify learning disabilities, cognitive strengths and weaknesses as well as mental health factors (such as social, emotional, and behavioral functioning) that may be affecting an individual’s academic or work performance and overall development.
What is neurodiversity testing?
Neurodiversity testing is a comprehensive evaluation that helps uncover how a person’s brain processes, learns, and experiences the world. Rather than viewing differences like ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, or other learning and emotional challenges as deficits, these assessments highlight both strengths and struggles to offer clarity on why certain tasks or situations feel more difficult than others. The goal is to find understanding and practical strategies to help move forward in a healthy and successful way.
What are the benefits of testing?
Testing can help identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses, attention and other executive functioning issues, learning disabilities, and other educational, occupational, or personal challenges. It provides a detailed understanding of how a person learns and processes information, thinks and feels, and interacts with the world. These assessments can also aid in diagnosing psychological conditions such as depression, anxiety, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, and other mental health concerns.
Testing provides clarity on the underlying issues affecting a person’s emotional and psychological well-being and can help foster better communication and collaboration among families, educators, mental health professionals, physicians, and other providers. Individuals who undergo testing can gain insight into their own strengths, challenges, and learning styles, which can lead to improved self-esteem and more effective strategies for personal development and coping.
Early identification of educational and psychological issues allows for timely intervention, which can significantly improve outcomes. Testing results can help guide the development of individualized educational plans (IEPs) or 504 plans for students, ensuring they receive the appropriate personalized accommodations and support in school. For adults, testing can inform workplace accommodations or therapeutic interventions tailored to their specific cognitive or psychological needs. Results can also help guide academic and career decisions by identifying areas of strength and interest, appropriate placements, and potential challenges that may need to be addressed.
What are the key components of testing?
Testing can involve exploration of a number of different areas of brain functioning and typically includes examination of multiple areas to gain a full understanding of a person’s uniqueness.
These areas can include:
Cognitive Assessment
Evaluates general intellectual abilities, such as IQ, reasoning skills, memory, processing speed, and problem-solving abilities.
These assessments help to provide a roadmap of how the brain works. They look beyond grades or behaviors to identify strengths and challenges in a targeted way. This can be especially helpful when diagnosing learning differences like ADHD, ASD, dyslexia, and more, evaluating for gifted programs, and identifying overall support needs.
Adaptive Functioning
Examines adaptive behavior and how an individual functions in everyday settings, which can influence learning and development.
These assessments measure how an individual handles everyday life skills like self-care, social interactions, communication, making decisions, and more compared to other individuals within their age group.
Neuropsychological Functioning
Measures how well your brain is thinking, reasoning, remembering, and performing executive functioning tasks.
This type of evaluation goes beyond academic performance to explore a wide range of cognitive functions. It takes an in-depth view at how the brain impacts thinking, learning, and behavior.
Academic Achievement Assessment
Measures specific academic skills such as reading, writing, mathematics, and oral language.
These evaluations help determine learning strengths, diagnose learning differences (such as dyslexia), find areas where extra support can be helpful, and assist with educational planning.
Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Assessment
Evaluates social, emotional, and behavioral functioning, which may impact learning, family and social relationships, academic performance, and employment.
This type of assessment looks at how emotions, behavior, and social interactions affect daily functioning at home, school, or work. It explores areas like mood, self-esteem, coping skills, anxiety, behavior regulation, and relationships. By considering multiple areas of functioning, these assessments help to determine if the challenges come from social communication difficulties, emotional concerns, or behavioral patterns.
What is the cognitive testing process?
Step 1: Initial Consultation:
Schedule a complimentary 15-minute consultation to discuss what you are looking for and determine if Gold Psych Services is the right fit for you or your child.
Step 2: Attend an initial intake session:
In the initial intake session, we will discuss the need for testing, the present concerns, the client’s history and full background information, the goals of testing, and recommended scope of evaluation based on the information gathered. For adults, this session can be combined with the testing session.
Step 3: Testing Session(s):
Testing may be completed in one day or a series of days depending on the scope of testing and the endurance of the individual. Often, two testing sessions are needed, each lasting 3-4 hours. All testing can be completed virtually. In-person options are available at my office in Coral Springs, FL. The appropriateness of virtual testing for children will be discussed prior to scheduling.
Step 4: Report and Feedback:
After testing is complete, all information gathered will be scored and analyzed. Unless otherwise discussed, a written report will then be prepared that provides a comprehensive overview of the results and recommendations for interventions and/or accommodations. Again, unless otherwise discussed, you will then be offered a feedback session to review the results and recommendations, and you will be given a copy of the full report.
Do you offer virtual ADHD and/or Virtual ASD Evaluations?
I offer virtual assessments to clients residing in any of the 43 participating PSYPACT states: AL, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DE, DC, FL, GA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NC, ND, OH, OK, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY.
Neurodiversity Consultations
Do you offer neurodiversity consultation services?
Yes! Please call, text, or email to set up a consultation.
What is a neurodiversity consultant?
A neurodiversity consultant is a professional who specializes in understanding and supporting the unique needs of neurodivergent individuals. Neurodiversity refers to the natural variation in human brain function, and neurodivergent refers to those whose brain function differs from what is considered “typical.” Neurodivergence encompasses conditions like autism, ADHD, dyslexia, dyspraxia, anxiety, depression, and others, as well as differences in executive functioning, communication, learning, and psychological functioning.
Neurodiversity consultants work with individuals, families, organizations, and institutions to promote inclusion, create supportive environments, and leverage the strengths of neurodivergent people.
What are the benefits of hiring a neurodiversity consultant?
Hiring a neurodiversity consultant can lead to more inclusive and supportive environments, benefiting all members of the community. Typically, when recommended changes are made, all students/employees/participants are positively impacted. Increased awareness and understanding of neurodiversity reduces stigma and promotes acceptance. And tailored support can lead to better academic, professional, and personal outcomes for neurodiverse individuals.
How can a neurodiversity consultant help me?
A neurodiversity consultant can conduct assessments to understand the specific needs, strengths, and challenges of neurodiverse individuals, schools, businesses, and organizations. This might include reviewing existing practices, observing behaviors, or gathering information from various sources like educators, employers, or healthcare providers. A neurodiversity consultant evaluates the work, school, or community environment to identify barriers that may affect neurodiverse individuals and recommend adjustments to enhance their learning, productivity, and well-being.
In schools: A neurodiversity consultant can offer training for teachers, school administrators, and support staff on inclusive practices and how to accommodate and support neurodiverse students. This might include strategies for differentiated instruction, classroom accommodations, and social-emotional support.
In the workplace: A neurodiversity consultant can provide training to employers and colleagues on neurodiversity awareness and acceptance, helping them understand how to work effectively with neurodiverse individuals. This includes educating about different conditions, communication styles, and the importance of inclusive practices.
Finally, a neurodiversity consultant can assist with services such as individual advocacy, family support, navigating systems and community services, curricula review, and program and policy development and evaluation.
Cognitive Testing Fees & More
What are the fees for cognitive testing?
Fees for testing vary based on the nature and extent of testing. Please call, text, or email to discuss your needs, or book a complimentary consultation.
Do you take insurance?
Dr. Lauren is an out-of-network provider and therefore does not bill insurance companies. Every insurance company is different, and every plan has different and specific requirements for covered services. Call your insurance company to find out what, if any, out-of-network benefits you may have for psychological testing. I am happy to provide a superbill that you can submit to your insurance company for reimbursement.
What is a Good Faith Estimate?
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services. Learn more here.
Do you take the Step-Up Scholarship?
Yes! Dr. Lauren is a Direct Pay Provider for the Step Up for Students (SUFS) Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities (FES-UA), as well as the FTC/FES-EO Scholarship, and the PEP Scholarship. The type of testing covered by Step-Up for Students varies depending on the type of scholarship your child is awarded. You can reserve funds for Dr. Lauren's testing services in your EMA account.
Dr. Lauren also can provide a receipt with the information required for SUFS reimbursement.
To learn more about the Step-Up scholarship program and to apply, go to https://stepupforstudents.org.
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