Neuropsychological Evaluations
What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation assesses thinking, learning, memory, attention, and emotions, and can identify how physical development, illnesses, accidents, or injuries may have impacted these areas of functioning. Each evaluation is built around the specific referral question, with the goal of providing clear answers, diagnostic clarification and practical recommendations.
Psychological Evaluations
Psychological evaluations are designed to assess thinking, memory, attention, emotional functioning, behavioral patterns, personality features, and mental health concerns. These evaluations can answer questions about overall mental health, problem solving and reasoning, while also providing targeted, in depth assessments to answer any specific questions.
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 help diagnose specific learning disabilities, such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, or dysgraphia when paired with a comprehensive psychological or neuropsychological evaluation.
While psychological and neuropsychological evaluations are often covered by insurance, educational evaluations are not.
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 can present very differently between people, these evaluations are carefully tailored to each individual, rather than relying on a one-size-fits-all approach.
Many families and professionals often request autism re-evaluations when a previous evaluations 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. As our understanding of Autism grows, late diagnoses have become more common.
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 often 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.
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 cognitive and educational assessments designed to identify advanced cognitive abilities, learning strengths, and unique thinking styles. Families often pursue these evaluations when considering a gifted or accelerated program, private or specialized schools, enrichment opportunities, or to guide advanced individualized learning at home. Gifted evaluations often help plan supports and curricular adjustments when a child’s abilities appear uneven or when their learning needs are not able to be fully supported in regular educational settings.
These evaluations are particularly valuable for twice-exceptional (2e) learners. 2e learners show areas of gifted ability along with possible learning differences, attention challenges, or other support needs.
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.
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:
1. Referral and Initial Contact
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.
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.
2. Intake Paperwork
After the initial contact, individuals are given an opportunity to decide if they'd like to move forward with the evaluation, or hold on scheduling appointments. For those who chose to move forward, we set up a portal for you in a program called Simple Practice, which is HIPAA compliant and secure. You receive a link to your email with a series of informed consent forms, practice policies and procedures, and a demographics form for you to provide your insurance information.
3. Intake Interview
The intake appointment is a key part of the evaluation process. This appointment is typically one hour and may take place in person or virtually. The goal of the intake appointment is to gather more in-depth information about strengths, challenges and concerns, medical and developmental history, and goals for the evaluation. This conversation helps clarify the referral questions and ensures that the assessment is built around your specific needs.
4. Evaluation Appointment
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 at this practice. The evaluation includes standardized testing and structured activities selected specifically to address the referral questions and areas of concern. Everyone is encouraged to bring drinks and snacks, and to take as many breaks as they need.
5. Feedback Appointment
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.
6. Written Report
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.