Question 1

What is a Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluation?

Accepted Answer

A comprehensive evaluation provides a thorough examination of someone’s thinking, behavior, and social-emotional functioning utilizing standardized, neuropsychological tests and procedures. This information is integrated together to determine a potential diagnosis and to formulate recommendations.

Areas commonly assessed during an evaluation often include intelligence (“IQ”), academic skills, problem solving, executive functions (ie., planning/organization), learning and memory, attention, language skills, and visual-perception. Further examination may also be warranted regarding your child’s social and emotional development such as anxiety, depression, and social skills. Some children also benefit from in depth educational testing.

Information is gathered directly working with your child. Testing days will feel a lot like school. Dr. O’Hara will be with your child throughout the entire testing process. They will be asked to complete problem-solving activities, answer many questions, and complete pencil-and-paper tasks.

Following an evaluation you should have a better understanding of your child's unique set of strengths and vulnerabilities. Together we can begin to develop a "road map" for your child's future to support their educational, social, and emotional development. Helping your child understand their individual strengths and weakness is a therapeutic way is also an important component to every assessment.

Question 2

Does My Child Need an Evaluation?

Accepted Answer

An evaluation is typically requested when individuals are struggling to fulfill their potential due to medical, learning, processing, or social-emotional factors. Parents often have concerns that their child is struggling to meet age-appropriate demands at school or in the community. You might consider getting an evaluation if you need a thorough profile of your child's thinking skills and social-emotional development to pinpoint why a specific difficulty is happening and what to do next. Physicians may also request a neuropsychological evaluation to make or confirm a diagnosis. 
 
Parents can schedule a complimentary 10-15 minute consultation to determine if an evaluation is appropriate for your child.

Question 3

Will the Evaluation Be Personalized to My Child?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!

Standardized testing procedures are utilized to assess your child’s skill development in comparison to same-aged peers. However, all test batteries are tailored to your child’s individual needs. For example, if you have concerns regarding your child’s reading, a thorough assessment of your child’s reading skills and phonemic awareness will be conducted. If there is a question of an autism spectrum disorder, evaluations will further explore your child's social language and behavioral development. Dr. O’Hara will also want to gain a better understanding of why your child is struggling by doing an assessment in areas that can further explain for their difficulties, such as memory, visual processing, language development, and attention.

Question 4

Can an Evaluation Be Conducted Virtually?

Accepted Answer

All evaluations are conducted in-person. Parent intake and feedback appointments can be conducted in-person or virtually.

While there are some psychological assessments that can be easily administered virtually, this is more challenging with neuropsychological assessment measures. These  evaluations rely heavily on standardized administration procedures that require in-person contact. For example, these assessments require the manipulation of physical materials, standardized interactions between an assessor and child, and detailed clinical observations.

Your child’s health and safety is a priority. If you are hesitant to pursue testing due to covid-related concerns, please contact Dr. O’Hara to discuss the procedures in place to keep your child safe.

Question 5

What Should I Expect?

Accepted Answer

A comprehensive evaluation of your child will be conducted across many domains of their cognitive development (e.g., learning, memory, language, visuospatial skills, attention, executive functions), as well as their social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Standardized testing procedures are utilized to assess your child’s skill development in comparison to same-aged peers.

All assessments are individualized to the child’s needs and presenting concerns, but typically include the following:

Parent Intake. 1-1.5 hour initial intake with parents (ideally without the child present). This will provide parents the opportunity to openly discuss their concerns and goals for the evaluation. Parents should anticipate being asked to answer a variety of guided questions about your child’s past and present functioning.  Parents will also be asked to complete several forms and questionnaires prior to the first day of testing. 
Review of Records. Dr. O’Hara will complete a thorough review of your child’s record, including prior evaluations or IEP/ETRs. Parents should bring in any relevant information to their initial appointment. 
Testing. 6-8 hours of direct testing with your child. Direct testing is typically completed across 2-3 morning. Your child will be given brief breaks as needed. If you child is tested across one day, they will have a 1 hour lunch break. All administration, scoring, and interpretations of tests are completed directly by Dr. O’Hara.
Collateral Information. It is important to understand your child’s functioning across different environments to gain a more robust picture of your child.  Dr. O’Hara will reach out to your child’s teachers and therapists and any other important individuals who can provide valuable information of your child. Their teacher will also be asked to complete questionnaires.If necessary, a school observation can be conducted (at an additional cost)
Feedback Meeting. 1-1.5 hour feedback session with parents. This will typically occur 3 weeks from the last day all testing is completed. At this time, parents will receive a comprehensive written report and Dr. O’Hara will discuss diagnostic information and recommendations for  next steps. If appropriate, an additional feedback meeting with your child or teen can be scheduled. Dr. O'Hara believes evaluations should not only offer more information for parents and educators, but should also be a therapeutic experience for your child. A child feedback session to help them understand their unique set of strengths and vulnerabilities is recommended.
Consultation with Schools. Dr. O’Hara will participate in one virtual meeting with the school to review the results of the evaluation. Additional meetings are an added cost.

Question 6

What Do Parents Do During Testing?

Accepted Answer

Parents will meet individually with Dr. O'Hara prior to testing to share concerns, collect background information, and develop an individualized plan for testing. On testing day, Dr. O'Hara will meet directly with your child for testing. To avoid taking extra time off from work, parents have access to a work station and WiFi to work remotely on testing day. There are also several local coffee shops and restaurants if you prefer to step out of the office.

Question 7

Will My Child Work Directly With Dr. O'Hara or a Trainee?

Accepted Answer

Dr. O'Hara conducts all of her own direct testing. She does not use any trainess or psychometricians for test administration. Behavioral observations are an important component to an evaluation, and Dr. O'Hara believes that it is critical to work directly with you child to gain a full understanding of their current functioning.

Question 8

Child Feedback

Accepted Answer

Many times the results of an evaluation remain a mystery to children. They spend hours completing testing and are not given any feedback from the doctor. Dr. O'Hara believes that it is important to offer children direct feedback about their testing results.  Following a parent-only feedback session, children will meet with Dr. O'Hara for a child-friendly feedback session. Children will be educated on their many areas of strengths and vulnerabilities, to help them become empowered advocates for themselves.

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