How do people afford an evaluation?

amother

Mint

Wed, Dec 30 2015, 2:17 pm

You can get a very reduced fee comprehensive evaluation at Yeshiva University's graduate school of psychology. It is called the ferkauf school. We are in the process now. It is a time commitment, as you need 6 or 7 visits. But I am paying hundreds instead of thousands. Worth giving them a call.

amother

Denim

Wed, Dec 30 2015, 2:22 pm

Thanks. I'm going to look into some of the avenues suggested. I have some time to figure it out. And if I have to charge it, I'll charge it. Thankfully we're not dealing with anything behavioral, it's learning issues, so I have some leeway with the school, they're concerned about having him set up with everything for next year, not worried about disruption or anything in the immediate present.

amother

Floralwhite

Wed, Dec 30 2015, 7:24 pm

cnc wrote:

This .
How can you compare a 20 minute DOE evaluation (done by a non specialist ) to a multi hour evaluation done at a hospital or by a specialist?

The only thing the DOE evaluates for is whether your child can benefit from OT, PT, ST or a Special Ed teacher.
They can't even evaluate if your child has a simple APD.

Does anyone work for the DOE? A non specialist? Huh??? The only one licensed to test is a psychologist and that is the only one you will get!! Granted it is not that comprehensive but you will get an IQ test and a achievment test. You can try and request a neuropsych eval. There are some neuropsychologists depending on your district. It will definately show cognitive levels. Diagnosis can be made by developmental pediatrician (insurance). Audiologist can test for APD (insurance). These super expensive evals do not always help in the long run because if the school, therapists, educational support network etc. Are not superb then nothing will be done anyway.

cnc

Wed, Dec 30 2015, 9:27 pm

amother wrote:

Audiologists, developmental pediatricians and neuropsychologists do not work for the DOE, and therefore the DOE evaluation does not help for the issues that I need evaluations for. An IQ test and an achievement test only help if the child is basically average.
A regular psychologist, OT and ST did not help me with any diagnosis for my child.
In fact at my annual meeting, the DOE recommended further testing at the above mentioned specialities..it is obviously not covered by the city.
There is one developmental pediatrician in my area that takes my insurance. The last time I tried getting an appointment they were scheduling appointments around 7 months in advance.

These super expensive evaluations are usually for people that have tried everything else already.

amother

Pumpkin

Wed, Dec 30 2015, 11:57 pm

I work in special ed in NYC and I can tell you, nothing compares to a private neuropsych. I can count on one hand the DOE reports that have said anything meaningful. DOE evals recommend services but they don't diagnose anything or make specific recommendations as to how help the child, I.e., techniques to use in the classroom, specific learning programs, etc. In 18 years in the field, I have come across one DOE neuropsych and it wasn't great. In my district/region, they are almost impossible to get.
The recommendations for clinics above are good ideas. I also recommend looking into the Center for Learning and Attention at Lennox Hill hospital. They work on sliding scale. I read a recent neuropsych from them and found it very comprehensive.
The benefit of paying the 3K, (which is what I would do) to a top neuropsychologist is the ongoing relationship. You may need to follow up with this person over the years. You will want the continuity of the same person who knows your child. The clinic evals are written by students and supervised by the psychologists. That student may not be around the next time if you want a follow up.