A comprehensive evaluation helps unlock an individual’s full potential by providing unmatched insights, perspectives, and direction.
We believe every individual is as unique as a fingerprint – with a distinctive blend of temperament, desires, preferences, abilities, learning styles, ideas, talents, visions, and emotions. All humans are born with an innate desire to learn, expand, and experience happiness in their own special ways. Everyone wants to be successful – but success means something different for everyone.
Comprehensive evaluations are used to assess the following:
- Intellectual abilities (IQ)
- Cognitive skills
- Memory
- Processing speed
- Executive functioning
- Attention and ADHD
- Achievement and Learning Disorders
- Emotional and social functioning
- Gifts
- Strengths & interests
- Temperament
- Learning styles
- Sensory processing
- Visual-motor integration
- Fine Motor Skills
- Behavior
Evaluation FAQs
Comprehensive Evaluations (all ages) - "Whole Person" Neuropsychological & Learning
- Identification of learning style, temperament, personality, interests, and strengths
- IQ testing
- Academic achievement testing across all areas
- Neuropsychological assessment of executive function
- Objective neuromeasure of attention
- Memory testing
- Behavior/emotional/social assessment
- Processing evaluation (speed, visual, auditory, visual-motor, visual-perceptual)
- Clinical history
- School observation (if desired)
- Feedback session with parents
- Written report
College-Age Reevaluations (provides updated results for college and test accommodations)
- IQ testing
- Academic skills
- Other as needed
- Clinical history
- Written report
Limited Scope Evaluations
- Specific diagnostic focus: dyslexia, ADHD, autism, etc.
- Availability and cost is case-by-case.
The evaluation process begins with a 90-minute initial consultation. During this visit, Dr. Katen will gather information regarding your current concerns, reasons for seeking an evaluation, and desired outcomes. Together you will develop a clear plan of action. Sometimes this plan includes moving forward with testing at Individual Matters, and other times it means connecting you with another professional. Either way, our hope is that you leave the initial consultation with a clear understanding of the evaluation process, new insights, and confidence about the next step for reaching your goals. Just like testing, the initial consultation is highly individualized. Therefore, who will attend and what you should bring will be different for everyone, and determined when you call to schedule your appointment.
Following the initial consultation, the evaluation process proceeds as follows:
- Clinical Interview – Clinical and developmental history is gathered through a semi-structured interview. You, your child, or the entire family may take part in this process.
- Test Administration – The number and length of sessions required to complete test administration depends on the type of evaluation and, most importantly, the needs of the client. Administration for neuropsychological learning evaluations is typically completed in two or three sessions, each of which may be 3-4 hours long. On the other hand, learning assessments for adults may entail only one session.
- Test Analysis – Scoring, analysis, and report generation is completed within two to five weeks.
- Feedback – The evaluation process is concluded with a feedback session, during which Dr. Katen provides an in-depth explanation of test measures, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
- Report – Clients receive a comprehensive report that clearly outlines test measures, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Recommendations are specific and highly individualized.
- School Consultation (additional fee) – Consultation with Dr. Katen, parents, and the school.
We encourage you to bring snacks and a drink. We also recommend that children bring a favorite toy, photos, or other comfort items (Yes, “Mr. Wiggles,” your child’s snuggle buddy, is absolutely welcome!) We’ve also created a “Welcome Video” you may choose to show your child prior to visiting Individual Matters (we all do better when we know what to expect).
We encourage you to bring copies of any previous testing, relevant medical records, and academic records.
We feel it is important that you use your own judgment when deciding how and what to tell your child about the evaluation. Helpful approaches can be discussed at the initial consultation.
- Initial Consultation (for all evaluations) – $250
- Discuss client background and needs, evaluation process, outcomes, cost, and other treatment options or referrals.
- Ensure goodness of it.
- Outline a clear “road map” for moving forward.
- Determine scope and self-pay cost.
- "Whole Child" Neuropsychological & Learning – $3500
- Scope designed around individual needs and concerns
- Developmental Disability Evaluation – $1000
- Cognitive and adaptive functioning
Full payment is due at the start of service. We accept cash, checks, credit cards, and health service accounts (HSAs).
Typically, health insurance will NOT pay for learning evaluations, as these are considered “educational” rather than “medical” services. However, there are some clinical and mental health diagnoses (e.g., ADHD, anxiety, and depression) that may be covered by insurance. Depending on your policy and the purpose/outcomes of the evaluation, your insurance company may cover some or all of the cost. When it comes to paying for testing, there are advantages to both insurance and “private-pay.”
Individual Matters accepts some insurance plans. For clients with other plans, we can provide you with a detailed invoice ("super bill") that you can submit to your insurance company for possible reimbursement.