• Plan on arriving at the office 10 minutes prior to your appointment time to complete any further paperwork.
• Most Full Battery Assessments begin at 8:30 and will end at 12:00/1:00. If your child begins to show signs of fatigue, the testing may go into a second scheduled testing session.
• Breaks are taken during the testing morning and snacks are provided. If your child has any specific food allergies, please pack an appropriate snack and let the office know of the allergy. A refrigerator is available.
• If your child is taking any medications, please ask the psychologist who referred you for testing if it should be taken the day of the tests. In most instances, the medications will be taken, unless the evaluation is for attention regulation difficulties.
• If your child wears glasses, particularly for reading, please be sure to bring the glasses to the testing.
• Please be sure your child has a full night of sleep and is well rested for the day of testing. If your child is overly tired or ill, please call the office ASAP to determine if a rescheduled testing date is advised. It is not advisable to test a child the day following an exciting event (i.e., return from vacation, sleep-over, birthday party) as they tend to fatigue.
• Please refrain from allowing your child to bring electronics or toys into the testing session. Toys will be provided during the break. Also consider the clothing and accessories your child wears to the testing, as jewelry can be distracting to the child.
• Parents are welcome to stay in the waiting room during the evaluation. Many parents find this a good opportunity to catch up on reading or work. We ask that you silence your cell phone (at least so the child can not hear it while testing). If your child is over the age of 9, you may decide to leave during the testing. In that case, we ask that you provide our staff with your cell phone number should we need to contact you.
• A deposit of $600 is required the day of testing. Please contact our front office staff to arrange payment.
• The amount of time for these professional activities is approximately 6 to 8 hours, but may be more or less depending on the nature of the evaluation. Typically, your child is with the examiner for 3 to 4 hours, then there is 1 hour for scoring and approximately 2 to 3 hours for report writing time.
• If your child has been tested in the past (privately or in school) please bring all of the test results or reports to the testing session, or sign a release so that our office may obtain these records.

Frequently Asked Questions:


What tests are done?

A typical battery of tests consists of a measure of cognitive functioning, visual motor functioning, academic abilities testing, computerized testing, assessment of memory, and specific tests depending on the diagnostic question to be answered. Parents will also be asked to complete checklists. In some instances, checklists are also provided for the classroom teacher.


Will I know any results the day of testing?

As most of the tests require extensive scoring and interpretation, you will not find out the results the day of testing. The psychologist will be able to give you observational information (how your child cooperated, willingness to engage in tasks, etc.) Following the testing session, the psychologist will score the tests and meet with the referring psychologist to review the results prior to the follow up date.


My child was with the psychologist for only 3 ½ hours, why am I billed for 6 hours?

The tests administered require significant scoring and interpretation which typically takes at least one hour. The psychologist will then discuss the results with the referring psychologist prior to diagnosis. You will also be provided with a very comprehensive report with a review of background information, school information, testing results and interpretation, diagnosis (if made) and any recommendations specific to your child’s needs. The report typically takes 2 to 3 hours to write.



Will my child’s school be given a copy of the report?

As the report contains confidential information, no copies will be released to anyone other than the parents, unless a release of information consent form has been signed by the legal guardian/parent.



When can I expect a copy of the report?

You can expect to receive a copy of the written report 2 weeks after the testing.



What should I tell my child about the testing?

Typically, children are aware of the area in which they are struggling. The best approach to preparing a child is to offer honest and concise information about the testing. For example, if the child is struggling in school, you may wish to tell them that the testing will give parents and teachers the information needed to make the school experience a better one.

For many of you, the time of year for Parent/Teacher conferences is fast approaching. Given the recent financial cutbacks by the Indiana Department of Education that limit the half-day option for teachers and students, Parent/Teacher conferences are likely going to be optional in most districts. Conferences may also be conducted over the phone or via e-mail. As I understand the time limitations, I encourage frequent face-to-face communication with your child’s teacher. If a Parent/Teacher conference is not possible, it is very important that you find alternative methods to become a presence in the classroom (classroom volunteer).

If you are planning on a meeting time, it is essential that you are prepared ahead of time in order to make the most efficient use of your limited time. The following tips may be helpful. Have your topics of discussion written out and concise.

• Ask your child if there are any issues or concern that they would like you to discuss
• Ask the teacher the following questions that apply:

What skills are expected to be mastered by the end of the year and where does your child stand in the skill acquisition?
Does the classroom/teacher/school have challenging academic standards that are beyond the state academic standards? If so, what are they?
How is your child evaluated to determine the skills that have been acquired?
How can you as a parent stay involved at home with your child’s education?
How can I complement lessons at home?
How can I know on a daily basis what homework has been assigned?
How do you accommodate different styles of learning?
How is your child doing with peer relationships?
How does your child occupy themselves during “down times?”

• Ask to see samples of your child’s work and have the teacher explain her grading system. This is particularly helpful on open-ended assignments such as writing.

• Have the teacher explain the system used in the classroom to monitor behaviors (stick system, red/yellow/green, etc.)
• Are there other teachers that you should meet? Music? Art? Spanish?

Remember that this is very time limited, so you want to use the most of your time. Although it is important to be friendly and social, do not spend too much of this time with “chatting” with the teacher. Your child’s teacher will appreciate this as well.

Never be embarrassed to ask for information to be clarified. You are your only advocate for your child’s education. You are the scaffolding to which they grow.

Many of us have been tracking the flu virus closely. Schools are planning for potential closings due to the spread of this flu. As a provider, I also need to determine how to handle patients that become ill as well as my own potential for illness and the health of my own family. As it is better to be cautious, I am asking any patients that do not feel well to please call as soon as possible and cancel the appointment. The Center for Disease Control recommends that individuals with flu-like illnesses stay home at least 24 hours after they are fever free (100 F) without the use of fever reducing medicines. If you are caring for a sick child, please make that sick child your priority and cancel any appointments. I will also be responsible for my potential flu-like symptoms, and in the event of becoming sick (or my children are sick at home), please allow me the courtesy of rescheduling your appointment. I will make every effort to reschedule your session for the next possible date I return to work. If needed, I will accommodate my rescheduled appointments on weekends. Until this particularly potent flu season has passed, let’s be aware of one another’s needs to be home. If you are living with someone with flu-like symptoms, the CDC estimates an eight to twelve percent chance of you becoming sick with the same virus. Once you have contracted the virus, you may not have symptoms for up to one week after initial exposure. The CDC also reports that the flu virus cal live on hard surfaces for up to eight hours.

Again, please do not hesitate to contact my office to cancel at any time, should you or your child feel ill.

Thank you