Frequently Asked Questions

No.  I can provide you with a superbill that you may submit to your insurance, but we do not directly bill insurance for payment.

Health insurance companies have restrictions on the length of and what can be assessed as part of an evaluation. This limits the types of questions we can answer and the flexibility we can provide during the evaluation process. Many health insurance companies have also become more inconsistent in providing coverage for evaluations (even with prior authorization), which can result in an unexpected bill for families.

Most people do not – that is my job to figure out! The first appointment (intake) will go over the concerns and questions parents have. Based on this information I will make an evaluation plan.   

Definitely not! The same evaluation can address multiple questions/concerns, with no additional cost. For example, the same evaluation can be used to determine if your child may have dyslexia and/or ADHD.  

Not necessarily. ADHD can often be reliably diagnosed by your child’s pediatrician or psychiatrist. An evaluation is more likely to be recommended if ADHD symptomology is unclear, if medication or other treatments are not helpful, and/or if there are additional concerns with your child’s learning, social development, or mental health. It may also be recommended if a child is still very young.

In many cases it is just fine to first start with treatment, particularly if there is a clear area of focus. For example, if your child has mild anxiety but is otherwise doing well then starting with therapy may be the best first step. Evaluation is typically pursued when things are unclear, get more complex, or therapy is not as helpful as expected.

A private diagnosis does not guarantee an IEP; the decision of whether a child qualifies for an IEP is ultimately up to your child’s school. Federal law does state that schools must consider outside testing when determining if a child should qualify for an IEP, and we can help you navigate the process of deciding whether to pursue consideration for an IEP.