Is a neuropsych eval really worth it?

[Anonymous]

There have been posts here before about the cost or waiting time of evals for autism. We recently have been getting my son's therapy started at least for some anxiety, but it has been recommended that for some of his other issues, like signs of PDA, it's worth an eval to understand the whole picture. Sure, I want to know what is going on with him, but will a diagnosis or assessment really make a big difference? He does not need an IEP, and has typically thrived in school. It's other daily life things. Should we just try therapy for a while and see if that helps a bit first? Is there ever a reason to not get an eval? After realizing not just the cost but also how much time the assessments themselves take, I just want to be really sure before we go through with it.

I'd love to hear your experiences and choices to get one or not, the difference it made, etc. especially for kids who did not need a diagnosis for any specific accomodations.

[Anonymous]

How old is he?

[Anonymous]

It sounds like the issues are minimal and mostly at home so no, I don’t think a neuropsych or additional testing makes sense. Probably parent training is a good place to start.

[Anonymous]

We got one two years ago and my DC was diagnosed with ADHD. We paid quite a bit of money because we were told it would help him get accommodations throughout schooling. It did but two years later we would like to get him evaluated for ASD and the original evaluator refused to do it because she said it’s not her expertise and any new evaluator wants to charge $4K-$5K, it’s absurd! I would only pursue it if you know exactly why you want it and how you’ll use it. Clearly some neuropsychs in the area are bilking desperate and vulnerable families because they can. There’s no reason to spend 8-10K within a span of two years for these evaluations.

[Anonymous]

It sounds like genetic testing may be what you want at this point.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How old is he?

7

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like the issues are minimal and mostly at home so no, I don’t think a neuropsych or additional testing makes sense. Probably parent training is a good place to start.

I know of SPACE for anxiety, is there other parent training that maybe you have done or that you recommend?

[Anonymous]

DS received one at 10 to get into MCPS's Gifted, Talented and Learning Disabled program.
And then again at 17 to get updated diagnoses and accommodations for college.

His public school had already given him and IEP with maximum support for his "tentative" ADHD diagnosis done at 6 years old, with a developmental ped, which was much shorter and cheaper than a full neuropsych. The full neuros revealed a LOT more than ADHD, but some of the disabilities the school and I were already treating separately, because they were obvious (dysgraphia, anxiety, social-communication issues, dyscalculia, motor problems). At 17, he was additionally diagnosed with autism (which we had worked on for years, but hadn't paid the add-on fee to get evaluated for during the first neuro), which got him a private room and bath in college.

I suppose the moral is that you only do evaluations when an institution needs to see proof before doling out services and accommodations. Because with careful observation and research, you can kind of guess what your kid has going on anyway, and start addressing them yourself by hiring individual therapists and practicing at home every day.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like genetic testing may be what you want at this point.

huh?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like the issues are minimal and mostly at home so no, I don’t think a neuropsych or additional testing makes sense. Probably parent training is a good place to start.

I know of SPACE for anxiety, is there other parent training that maybe you have done or that you recommend?

What are the challenges?

[Anonymous]

At 7 I would do one if you can afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS received one at 10 to get into MCPS's Gifted, Talented and Learning Disabled program.
And then again at 17 to get updated diagnoses and accommodations for college.

His public school had already given him and IEP with maximum support for his "tentative" ADHD diagnosis done at 6 years old, with a developmental ped, which was much shorter and cheaper than a full neuropsych. The full neuros revealed a LOT more than ADHD, but some of the disabilities the school and I were already treating separately, because they were obvious (dysgraphia, anxiety, social-communication issues, dyscalculia, motor problems). At 17, he was additionally diagnosed with autism (which we had worked on for years, but hadn't paid the add-on fee to get evaluated for during the first neuro), which got him a private room and bath in college.

I suppose the moral is that you only do evaluations when an institution needs to see proof before doling out services and accommodations. Because with careful observation and research, you can kind of guess what your kid has going on anyway, and start addressing them yourself by hiring individual therapists and practicing at home every day.

+1 great advice

[Anonymous]

I concur with the post just above after having been through two rounds and receiving different results. Do it because you need the document for some purpose. I think a day or two spent with some tester is far less meaningful than weekly visits with someone over time WRT your situation.

[Anonymous]

For us it was the path recommended to us to get an autism diagnosis at age 4 for a very verbal and socially motivated girl. We did not expect her to get the diagnosis, and it's been really helpful for us to understand her and put in the time and money into private supports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It sounds like genetic testing may be what you want at this point.

Wtf? No