383 W Fountain Street, suite 125,Providence Rhode Island, 02903​
Fax: 401-679-6604​
Ocean State Assessment
Call: 401-484-7014
Neuropsychological Evaluations
What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation looks at thinking, learning, memory, attention, and emotions, and helps you understand how physical development, illnesses, accidents, or injuries may have impacted these areas of functioning. Each evaluation is build around the referral questions, with the goal of providing clear answers, diagnostic clarification and practical recommendations.
Psychological Evaluations
Psychological evaluations are comprehensive assessments designed to understand thinking, memory, attention, emotional functioning, behavioral patterns, personality features, and mental health concerns. These evaluations can answer questions about anxiety, depression, mood regulation, trauma-related symptoms, emotional reactivity, behavioral challenges, or difficulties coping with stress or life transitions.​
Independent Educational Evaluations
While psychological and neuropsychological evaluations help us understand how we learn, think, and feel - An educational evaluation is an in-depth assessment of what you've learned. These evaluations focus on areas such as reading, writing, mathematics, and other learned skills. Results aim to identify strengths and learning differences, and can diagnose specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia.
Autism Evaluations
Autism evaluations are comprehensive assessments designed to examine social communication, cognitive style, sensory processing, emotional regulation, and adaptive functioning to determine whether an individual meets criteria for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Because autism presents across a very broad spectrum, these evaluations are carefully tailored to each individual, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.​
It's important to note that families and professionals often request autism evaluations even if a previous evaluation did not indicate autism. The field of psychology and diagnosing is constantly growing and evolving, with new and more sophisticated ways to identify autism being developed.
Forensic Evaluations
Forensic evaluations are specialized psychological or neuropsychological assessments conducted to address legal questions, rather than treatment or educational planning needs. These evaluations are designed to provide objective, evidence-based opinions that may inform court decisions or other legal proceedings regarding matters such as medical malpractice, custody or parenting disputes, guardianship questions, competency or capacity concerns, civil litigation, criminal matters, or other court-related issues. The focus of a forensic evaluation is not advocacy, but rather a careful, impartial assessment of relevant psychological, cognitive, and behavioral factors as they relate to the specific legal question at hand.
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Ocean State Assessment provides forensic evaluations on a case-by-case basis, depending on the referral question, scope, and alignment with current training and expertise.
Gifted Evaluations
Gifted evaluations are specialized assessments designed to identify advanced cognitive abilities, learning strengths, and unique thinking styles. Families often pursue these evaluations to support applications to gifted or accelerated programs, private or specialized schools, enrichment opportunities, or to guide advanced and individualized learning at home. Gifted evaluations can also be helpful when a child’s abilities appear uneven or when their learning needs are not being fully recognized in educational settings.
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These evaluations are particularly valuable for twice-exceptional (2e) learners, whose gifted abilities may coexist with learning differences, attention challenges, or other areas of vulnerability.
Social Security Disability Evaluations
​Social Security Disability evaluations are specialized assessments designed to evaluate how psychological, neuropsychological, psychiatric, or cognitive conditions impact an individual’s ability to function in daily life. Individuals or families may seek these evaluations to support applications or appeals for Social Security Disability benefits (SSI and/or SSDI) when there are questions about cognitive functioning, mental health, adaptive skills, or overall functional capacity.
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The results of these evaluations are summarized in a comprehensive written report that an individual or family can submit to the Social Security Administration or share with attorneys, advocates, or other professionals involved in the disability determination process.
The purpose of this evaluation is to provide objective, evidence-based information regarding strengths, limitations, and functional impairments; it does not guarantee benefit approval.
What Happens During an Evaluation?
While every evaluation is tailored to the individual and the referral questions, the overall process typically follows these steps:
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1. Initial Contact/Consultation: 15 minutes (no charge)
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The process begins with you reaching out either by phone, or through this website using the contact page. During an initial consultation, we will discuss the concerns that an evaluation can look into and determine what type of evaluation fits best for you. Financial options are offered here.
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If you choose to continue with the evaluation process, you will receive an email prompting you to make an account with us on Simple Practice - on a secure online platform. You'll also receive your intake paperwork, including background information and some initial questionnaires. After this, your evaluation appointments will be scheduled.
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2. Intake Paperwork
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The intake packet sent through SimplePractice includes a series of standard healthcare consent forms, policies and procedures, and a form for you to provide background and developmental history, family and medical information, and other questionnaires relevant to the evaluation. These materials provide important context and help ensure the evaluation is thoughtfully tailored to the individual. Please set aside time to go through this packet, as it is important, and the evaluation can not be scheduled without signing the forms that give me permission to move forward.
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3. Intake Interview
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The intake appointment is a key part of the evaluation process. This meeting may take place in person or virtually and allows for a more in-depth discussion of concerns, history, and goals for the evaluation. This conversation helps clarify the referral questions and ensures that the assessment plan is individualized and responsive to your specific needs.
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4. Evaluation Appointment
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The evaluation appointment is conducted in person and typically lasts 3–5 hours, depending on the nature of the assessment. There are no virtual testing options. The evaluation includes standardized testing and structured activities selected specifically to address the referral questions and areas of concern.
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5. Feedback Appointment
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A feedback appointment is usually scheduled within a few weeks following the evaluation. During this meeting, findings are reviewed in clear, understandable language, referral questions are addressed, and recommendations are discussed. This appointment is also a good opportunity to discuss any questions you might have and receive specific referrals you might wish to pursue. For some, two feedback appointments may be recommended to allow adequate time for discussion; this option will be reviewed with you in advance.
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6. Written Report
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A comprehensive written report is provided following the feedback appointment. The report includes test results, diagnostic impressions when appropriate, and detailed, actionable recommendations designed to support next steps at home, in school, at work, or in the community.