The Rationale

Psychoeducational evaluations are recommended when there is a need for a comprehensive assessment of the possible causes of a child's difficulties in school. In performing psychoeducational evaluations, Dr. Hirsch always works with colleagues in the fields of speech and language pathology and educational therapy in an interdisciplinary team approach. These results are integrated to help parents and professionals working with a student gain a more complete understanding of that student as well as a clearer picture of how to meet his or her needs.

The Process

Parent Intake Interview: The first step is always for the parents to come in and talk with Dr. Hirsch (without their child present) in order to discuss the history of their child's difficulties, what has been tried in the past, what has worked, what hasn't, etc. This clarifies whether, in fact, a complete psychoeducational evaluation is necessary. If so, the parent intake process helps to orient Dr. Hirsch and his colleagues as to the focus of the evaluation and the specific questions to be answered. It is always helpful for parents to bring copies of any previous evaluations, report cards, and standardized testing, etc.

Psychological Assessment: Includes intelligence testing (analyzed for processing strengths and weaknesses as well as for overall cognitive potential), social-emotional assessment, and assessment for attentional difficulties (screening or full assessment, if indicated). This is typically completed in one session of 2 to 3 hours.

Speech & Language Assessment: As most learning disabilities involve underlying language processing difficulties, this is an essential part of the evaluation. It includes testing for both receptive and expressive language skills, such as articulation, phonology, semantics, syntax, and integrated language. This may take 1 or 2 sessions to complete.

Educational Assessment: Includes both formal and informal measures of underlying skills and achievement in reading (decoding and comprehension), spelling, writing, and math. This may take 1 or 2 sessions to complete.

Staff Meeting: The professionals involved in doing the testing meet to review and integrate their findings. They achieve a comprehensive understanding of the patterns and discrepancies found in their results.

Parent Feedback Conference: Dr. Hirsch meets with the parents to explain the results and answer parents' questions, making sure that the findings are understandable and meaningful to the parents. Implications of the results and recommendations are also discussed at this time

Written Report: A comprehensive written report is completed several weeks after the parent conference. This provides a reference for the parents and can be shared with other professionals to guide their work with the child.

The Costs

The cost for the full psychoeducational evaluation is $3100. This is paid as follows: $300 at the parent intake interview, $800 at the psychological assessment, $800 at the speech and language assessment, $800 at the educational assessment, $400 at the parent feedback conference. These assessments are considered educational, not medical, and so are not covered by medical insurance.

For further information or to schedule an appointment, please call Dr. Hirsch at (626) 395-7833.