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What to Expect in a Comprehensive Evaluation

An evaluation can be very valuable.  My evaluations identify cognitive and academic strengths and challenges, assist with diagnosis of neurodevelopmental and learning differences such as ADHD, Autism, or Dyslexia and they highlight difficulties with depression, anxiety, irritability, or other mental health struggles.

Many schools and universities require evaluations in order to offer accommodations in their academic settings. The results of an evaluation may be shared with tutors, schools/colleges, human resource teams, therapists and primary care physicians. A comprehensive evaluation can clarify psychological and neurodivergent experiences and provide a path toward appropriate mental health care and support.

An evaluation involves using standardized assessment tools developed through many years of research in clinical and neuropsychology. These instruments are used worldwide to assess visual and verbal processing, memory, attention, executive functioning, social-emotional functioning, personality style, and academic skills. The vast majority of psychologists who offer these services follow a similar format to what is described below.

Evaluation Procedures

  • Paperwork and Portal Account: You will be sent an email with an invitation to set up a portal account and a link to forms to complete prior to the initial meeting.
  • Intake Appointment: I will meet with you to gather information on current concerns. We will discuss the desired goals and questions to be answered through the assessment process. The first meeting will take approximately 60-90 minutes.
  • Testing Sessions: The individual being evaluated will typically attend 1-3 testing sessions. Each session will take approximately 2-3 hours. During the session they will work with me and my psychometrist in a one-to-one interactive process, allowing us to understand their learning style and problem-solving strategies.
  • Review of Records and Completion of Questionnaires: I ask that you provide any relevant records, such as school reports and previous evaluations. You will complete questionnaires related to the issues we are exploring in the evaluation.
  • Collateral Information: I may want to talk to other people who know the individual being evaluated and can speak to their strengths and challenges. This may include teachers, therapists, or partners.
  • Scoring, interpretation and report writing: After scoring and interpreting all administered assessments, I will generate a detailed and individualized report.
  • Feedback Session: After all the information has been gathered and testing has been completed, I will meet with you to review the results of the assessment and discuss recommendations. A written report will be provided in digital form after the feedback session is complete. This session will take 1-2 hours. The entire evaluation process, from the first meeting to the last, takes approximately 4-6 weeks.