Everyone’s brain is unique, with some areas working better than others. It’s important to identify these strengths and weaknesses in children, so we can provide them with the right support for success in school and life.
In addition to our ADHD evaluation and Autism evaluation, MHCA also offers psychoeducational evaluations for individuals aged two to five.
What’s ahead:
Psychoeducational Evaluation at MHCA
A psychoeducational evaluation is different from standard school tests. It’s a one-on-one evaluation using various tools to understand your child’s academic skills and thinking abilities. It helps us learn not just what your child has learned but how they learn and approach problem-solving.
Our trained psychologists perform psychoeducational assessments. These assessments not only reveal a child’s learning style but can also diagnose conditions like learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental disorders, and detect other social, emotional, behavioral, or psychological issues.
The key outcome of a psychoeducational assessment is the detailed guidance it offers for both home and school.
How to know if your child needs a Psychoeducational Evaluation?
While every child’s needs and abilities vary, here are some signs that may indicate your child could require a psychoeducational assessment:
- If your child consistently puts in effort while studying, but their grades do not reflect their hard work.
- If your child, despite being intelligent, struggles with delivering homework or assignments on time due to procrastination and poor planning skills.
- If your child’s teacher comments on the report card about needing to improve their attention or focus in class.
- If your child displays behavioral or emotional issues related to school or home.
- If your child consistently expresses reluctance or a dislike for attending school.
- If your child performs well in most subjects but struggles in one or two, such as Math or English.
- If you believe your child would benefit from school accommodations.
What is the cost of a Psychoeducational Evaluation?
- Psychoeducational Evaluation (Private pay and Insurance options available. Pricing will vary depending on the insurance provider and specific type of evaluation but will often range between $750 and $3,500. Please call (602) 704-2345 for current pricing.)
* MHCA participates in a wide variety of health plans to serve our patients. If you have any questions related to health insurance acceptance or covered services, click here for more information.
What to expect at the Psychoeducational Evaluation?
First, you will meet with a Licensed Psychologist for a clinical interview. This portion of the evaluation should take around 60 minutes. You will then transition into the testing and assessment portion of the evaluation. This portion can vary between 2 – 4 hours depending upon the level of engagement and the number of breaks taken in between the assessments. After you complete the testing and assessment portion of the evaluation then you are free to go. The doctor will compile your results and write the report.
A thorough examination is conducted, encompassing medical, physical, and neurodevelopmental aspects.
The documentation of symptoms through the utilization of rating scales and other informational resources serves to verify whether you or your child align with established standardized criteria.
During an interview, inquiries are made about your child’s behavior across different settings, including but not limited to home and school environments.
A thorough psychoeducational assessment usually consists of five components:
- Initial Consultation
- Psychometric Testing
- Assessment of Social-Emotional and Behavioural Functioning
- Report and Recommendations
- Feedback Session with Psychologist
Psychoeducational Evaluation Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How long does a Psychoeducational evaluation take?
On average a Psychoeducational evaluation could take between 3 – 6 hours.
How to prepare for a Psychoeducational evaluation
Avoid stimulants, like caffeine, and be prepared to inform your provider of any prescription or over-the-counter medications you may be taking. Do your best to get a full nights sleep the night before your evaluation. It may be helpful to bring a light snack to your evaluation. Water will be provided. Turn off or leave at home anything that may serve as a distraction such as cell phone or watch.
When should I know the results of the Psychoeducational evaluation?
The results of your evaluation will be provided at your review appointment (typically 2 – 4 days following your initial evaluation). The review appointment should last around 30 minutes. Your doctor will thoroughly review your results with you and answer any questions you might have.
