Assessment and Evaluation
How Our Evaluation Process Stands Out
We view psychological evaluations as an opportunity to identify and answer specific questions and concerns, as well as a means for therapeutic understanding and connection.
Our psychologists are experienced assessment specialists that offer extraordinary services, specifically tailored for you, your child and/or family.
Our assessment is focused on gaining information and clarity on your specific presentation in order to shed light on how you view yourself (or your child), your experiences in life, and the way in which you navigate the world. Assessment can also deepen self-understanding, growth and well-being.
- Our values guide the evaluation process from start to finish.
- We begin by identifying together your goals and hopes for the evaluation.
- We develop a proposed protocol, timeline, and estimate for the evaluation.
- We value collaboration, curiosity, and the context in which your child and family live.
- We remain connected with you, your child and/or family throughout the evaluation.
- We discuss the process and procedures throughout the evaluation.
- We identify strengths, gifts, and successes specific to you or your child, while also exploring areas for growth and support.
- We plan for how to integrate and utilize the results of the evaluation to continue on the path to success through child and family specific recommendations, referrals, and next-steps.
- You receive a comprehensive and meaningful report, scrupulously written specifically for you, your family, and/or school.
- We offer a full report written in story-form specifically for your child and/or teen.
- We discuss and make meaning of the results together, in a comprehensive feedback session.
Types of Evaluation Services
- Comprehensive psychological and/or neuropsychological evaluation and assessment (all ages)
- Specialization in comprehensive evaluation and assessment for giftedness, including HG, EG, PG (all ages)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Highly Sensitive Persons (HSP)
- Asynchronous development
- Anxiety and depression
- ADD/ADHD
- Sensory processing
- Intense or problematic behaviors
- Changes in mood, performance, or personality
- Emotional regulation challenges
- Emotional development, asynchronous development, social development, or a combination of these
- Provide second opinions and/or review previous psychological and/or neuropsychological evaluations and testing
- Evaluate the effectiveness of different interventions and/or create an intervention plan
- Identify strengths, gifts, successes specific to you or your child, while also exploring areas for growth and support
- Create and/or evaluate the effectiveness of previous or different interventions
An evaluation process may consist of one assessment test or several, depending upon your situation and the type of concerns, challenges or questions you have. If more than one test is utilized, it might be called a comprehensive assessment, battery assessment, or comprehensive evaluation.
What to Expect: The Evaluation Process
At TheraThrive, we understand that our clients may be highly sensitive, intense and/or experience some anticipation or anxiety around the testing process. We will do our best to welcome you, offer a comfortable environment for testing, and offer breaks as needed.
The process of evaluation will depend upon the specific goals and assessment tests utilized. The steps in an evaluation process typically include:
- Meeting with parents (or adult client). This initial meeting is usually 50 minutes, although it may be longer or shorter in some situations. This initial meeting usually includes a diagnostic interview.
- Meeting with child: If needed, we will meet with your child for a 50 minute qualitative diagnostic session prior to testing.
- The testing/assessment process typically takes between 30 minutes to 4 hours, depending upon the type of evaluation. Some assessments may take a bit longer, and some can take as long as 8 hours or more. If 100 minutes or more will be needed, the testing process will be broken up into several sessions.
- Questionnaires. We may ask you to complete a questionnaire (or we may provide a questionnaire for your child’s teacher to complete).
- Feedback sessions. After the testing and written report(s) are completed, we will provide you with feedback. This meeting may be with you, parents only, or with both child and parents, depending upon the developmental age of the child. During the feedback session, we review results and findings, discuss recommendations, and address any remaining questions.
Comprehensive Report
What is a Comprehensive Report? Depending upon the type of assessment, a Comprehensive Report generally includes (but is not limited to):
- Type of assessment(s)
- Assessment results and findings
- A summary that clarifies and connects the various test scores and results
- Recommendations regarding social and emotional needs
- Recommendations regarding developmental needs
- Recommendations regarding educational or work modifications
In some circumstances, in lieu of the feedback session, a report can be mailed to you. Duplicate copies of the report can be sent to you and/or any schools or professions for whom you provide written consent. Reports cannot be released to a school or anyone else without your written consent. Please schedule your appointment(s) in time for any reports to be received by your school(s), if there is concern about a deadline.
Types of Evaluation and Assessment
Qualitative Assessment
Qualitative assessment consists of an interview with the parent(s) and/or child, and possible play observation. Qualitative assessment can provide insight into strengths, needs, challenges, and beneficial interventions. Qualitative assessment may also provide the additional information to help you determine if a further assessment would be beneficial.
Emotional, Social, and Behavioral Assessment
Age Range: 6 – 18 years
Emotional, social, and behavioral functioning is assessed using as comprehensive interviews; self-report and parent, teacher (or work) questionnaires; play/discussion/observation.
Quantitative Assessment
We offer many types of quantitative assessment, including IQ testing*. We will determine the appropriate assessment tests to utilize when we learn more about you—your particular questions and challenges, and your particular situation. The assessments listed below comprise only a fraction of what we offer, and are only a small sampling. We include the sections below to provide some detail into a few of the assessment tests we offer.
(* Including tests accepted by the Davidson Institute and others)
Differential Ability Scales-Second Edition (DAS-II)
The DAS-II evaluates cognitive ability, but is different than the WPPSI/WISC. At TheraThrive, we like the The DAS–II because it measures a narrower and more specific area of human cognition than the WPPSI/WISC. Although the DAS–II provides a General Conceptual Ability composite (sort of similar to the GAI in the WISC), it is primarily utilized as a tool for identifying and understanding individual strengths and weaknesses, and provides an in-depth understanding of capabilities, for a more effective intervention.
The DAS-II provides us with insight about how your child processes information, which can help with appropriate planning and interventions and/or recommendations, at home and for the classroom.
The DAS II contains diagnostic subtests that measure a variety of cognitive abilities, including verbal and visual working memory, visual recognition and matching, immediate and delayed recall, processing and naming speed, phonological processing, and understanding of basic number concepts.
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children-Fifth Edition (WISC-V)
The WISC-V is the most recent version of this popular measure of cognitive ability. This assessment measures the ability to analyze and synthesize information, quantitative reasoning and induction, visual working memory, and cognitive processes important to academic achievement in reading, math and writing. The WISC-V can help shed light on specific learning disabilities and other clinical conditions.
Stanford-Binet Intelligence Scales-Fifth Edition (SB-5)
The Stanford-Binet is a widely used assessment of cognitive strengths and weaknesses that assess five cognitive factors, including Fluid Reasoning, Knowledge, Quantitative;, Visual–Spatial, and Working Memory.
The Stanford-Binet is considered an excellent measure of giftedness due to many high-end measures. It is considered to be unbiased in regard to gender, ethnicity, culture, religion, region, and socioeconomic status. This measure is accepted by most schools, including the Davidson Institute.
The Stanford Binet can also be utilized to assess for concerns regarding memory in older adults.
Raven's Advanced Progressive Matrices (APM)
The Raven’s Advanced Progressive Matrices is a measure of high-level observation skills, clear thinking ability, and intellectual capacity. This assessment stands out because it utilizes a non-verbal estimate of abstract reasoning or fluid intelligence. It is designed to differentiate between people at the high end of intellectual ability, capturing those who fall within the top 20% of the population. As a nonverbal assessment, this test minimizes the impact of cultural or language bias.
Process Assessment of the Learner - Second Edition (PAL-II)
The PAL-II is a comprehensive, researched-based assessment system provides an application for prevention, problem solving and diagnosis of dysgraphia, dyslexia, oral and written language disability (OWL LD).
Conners - Third Edition (Conners-3)
The Conners-3 assesses for ADHD and associated features, including Oppositional Defiant and Conduct Disorder behaviors.
Sensory Profile 2
The Sensory Profile 2 evaluates sensory processing patterns in the context of home, school, and community-based activities. This assessment reveals how sensory processing concerns may contribute to, or interfere with, participation in activities at home, school, and community.
The Sensory Profile 2 also provides valuable information about sensory strengths and challenges, which in turn give insight into appropriate intervention, treatment planning, and useful remediation strategies.
Assessment and Evaluation Fees
The total cost for evaluation and assessment is based upon the type of evaluation, what is being assessed, and the amount of time associated with completing the evaluation and report.
The types of evaluation and assessment vary greatly, and we welcome complex cases. No matter the type of assessment, we will strive to provide you with the most comprehensive report and recommendations.
During your feedback session, at the end of the evaluation process, you will receive a report in both a paper (wet-copy) report and in electronic .pdf format (during COVID 19 you may choose to only receive your report in .pdf format). You may request additional paper (wet-copy) reports for a small fee.
The amount of time it takes for the entire assessment process varies, and typically runs between 2 hours (such as a brief observation evaluation) to 24 hours (such as a full battery). The total hours may include time for interviews, testing, evaluation, observation, test scoring, report writing and feedback. Most of our assessment batteries tend to average about 15 – 20 hours, however the hours/fees depend upon the types of tests, evaluation goals and individual needs. In estimate, an assessment and/or evaluation generally costs between $1883 – $4842 (for 7-18 hours). If you have questions about assessment costs, or anything else, please contact us. We are always happy to connect!
We will provide you with a detailed estimate prior to initiating assessment and/or evaluation, and ask for 50% of the estimate amount up front in order to begin the testing and/or evaluation process.
Each session may be be scheduled in 1-4 hour time blocks, depending upon your needs. There are several types of sessions:
- The initial interview
- Clinical qualitative assessment
- Observational session
- Testing, assessment and/or evaluation
- Feedback session
- Consultation meetings
Feedback Session
During your feedback session, at the end of the evaluation process, you will receive a report in both a paper (wet-copy) report and in electronic .pdf format. You may request additional paper (wet-copy) reports.
Common Questions and Answers (FAQ)
Please click below to learn more about the assessment and evaluation process.
How do I talk with my child about the assessment process?
In general, when you talk with us about the assessment process, we will strategize with you ways to talk about the assessment process. For example, it might more helpful to avoid using the word “test” or “games,” and instead describe the assessment process as working on various activities that help you make decisions about school and/or get the right type of support. In regards to expectations, your child can be prepared to follow sets of instructions.
How can my child study or prepare for the assessment?
How long will the assessment process take?
For example, the DAS-II usually takes between 30 – 90 minutes, depending upon your child’s developmental age and working style. Younger children generally have a shorter test administration time. These are average times and please keep in mind that some children work faster or slower than others, and that different types of assessment take different amounts of time.
We will meet with you alone (one or both parents) prior to the testing time in an initial diagnostic meeting, in order to gather information about your questions, your child’s developmental milestones, birth and pregnancy history, and other important information, and this interview would be part of the assessment meeting time.
In general, it’s best to plan on spending approximately 1- 2 hours total at the office per visit. We will let you know ahead of time approximately how long the process will take, and if it seems that the process will take longer or shorter than anticipated, we will certainly let you know.
Will my child get a break, or does she have to sit still for 2 hours?
Can I observe my child’s assessment?
The assessor will meet with parents prior to beginning testing. Parents are expected to wait in the waiting room during the evaluation, and reading material, internet access, water and tea are provided for waiting parents.
One important source of the information is how your child responds during when parents are not present. This will also provide insight regarding how your child will perform in school. If you have a special situation, please talk with us ahead of time. We will do our best to accommodate your needs within allowable parameters of the assessment.
The assessor will work to help your child feel relaxed, and will approach the activities positively. In addition, test items are designed to be appealing and engaging to children, which will help them feel more at ease.