Recommendation on CAAT

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've had great experiences with evaluations with Dr. Black. Our last one was just before covid and we have another one scheduled for the fall. No admin concerns, the wait is about one year.

Thank you and I'm also new to this "reevaluation process". We want another 2nd opinion and frankly do not want to show too many previous evaluations (although it helps) as I worry they will then be biased instead of doing a comprehensive assessment. DS was DX with ASD level 1 - quite mild as we did not even see the signs except speech and sleep challenges.

I would still provide the previous evaluation because some tests can't be repeated within a certain time. But definitely tell them the ways you think it's wrong. One of the things I like about them is how comprehensive the parent meeting is. (Not the admin intake when you are scheduled, but the 2 hour parent meeting just before the testing days).

That's interesting - so 2 hours, without the child present? How long is the assessment with the child, is it only an hour or 2 in the office, with flash cards, etc.? I really would prefer a wholistic view, at school, at home, but I am finding it hard to find neuropsych to do this...

Before they meet with you at all, you and the teacher fill out several rating scales. Then, yes, a two hour conversation with the parent(s), without the child. Then about 8 hours of testing in the office, divided over two days. I'm not sure what you mean by flashcards -- it included the WISC and achievement tests, as well as testing of language processing, Executive function, social engagement, specific aspects of academic concerns. They choose tests based on the concerns identified in the initial parent session. Then a two hour debrief with parents (child not there) about a week later. This is a conversation, where they are telling you what they saw and asking if you have any additional insight -- this conversation informs the report, which you get several weeks later. They give you a draft for feedback before finalizing it to give to school. They were very open to my suggestions about recommendations. We then had them explain the results in an age appropriate way in an additional session, but that's optional.

Very helpful indeed, certainly more comprehensive then I had imagined. I wonder if the length of time for testing is the same for a 4 year old?

Call them and ask these questions, OP! I believe they prefer for the child to be at least 6 at the time of testing because they can use certain tests at 6 that they can’t use before 6, but you’d have to ask.

Interesting point - though isn't that too late for EI (or as early as possible ideally). What I don't appreciate about CAAT is there's an upcharge for everything if DX with ASD...which I find a bit off-putting

DP. I think there is a lot of unhelpful conflation between the “neuropsych” and diagnosis. You should definitely take your child for a free evaluation through the school/county to qualify for educational services & therapy. Do that as soon as you see challenges. You can also go to autism specialty centers and children’s hospitals (KKI or Childrens) for a diagnosis but the wait is longer. The “neuropsych” that is extensive and generally the kid has to be 6+ is not necessary for diagnosis, but a lot of people think it is helpful for understanding the supports the child needs. I am on the fence about how useful the neuropsych was for our kid w ASD - the school based testing seemed to be fine for him. I definitely would not have thought paying CAAT $6000 for what I got for free from Children’s would have been worth it. That money is better spent on therapies and an educational consultant.

AGREE!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've had great experiences with evaluations with Dr. Black. Our last one was just before covid and we have another one scheduled for the fall. No admin concerns, the wait is about one year.

Thank you and I'm also new to this "reevaluation process". We want another 2nd opinion and frankly do not want to show too many previous evaluations (although it helps) as I worry they will then be biased instead of doing a comprehensive assessment. DS was DX with ASD level 1 - quite mild as we did not even see the signs except speech and sleep challenges.

I would still provide the previous evaluation because some tests can't be repeated within a certain time. But definitely tell them the ways you think it's wrong. One of the things I like about them is how comprehensive the parent meeting is. (Not the admin intake when you are scheduled, but the 2 hour parent meeting just before the testing days).

That's interesting - so 2 hours, without the child present? How long is the assessment with the child, is it only an hour or 2 in the office, with flash cards, etc.? I really would prefer a wholistic view, at school, at home, but I am finding it hard to find neuropsych to do this...

Before they meet with you at all, you and the teacher fill out several rating scales. Then, yes, a two hour conversation with the parent(s), without the child. Then about 8 hours of testing in the office, divided over two days. I'm not sure what you mean by flashcards -- it included the WISC and achievement tests, as well as testing of language processing, Executive function, social engagement, specific aspects of academic concerns. They choose tests based on the concerns identified in the initial parent session. Then a two hour debrief with parents (child not there) about a week later. This is a conversation, where they are telling you what they saw and asking if you have any additional insight -- this conversation informs the report, which you get several weeks later. They give you a draft for feedback before finalizing it to give to school. They were very open to my suggestions about recommendations. We then had them explain the results in an age appropriate way in an additional session, but that's optional.

Very helpful indeed, certainly more comprehensive then I had imagined. I wonder if the length of time for testing is the same for a 4 year old?

Call them and ask these questions, OP! I believe they prefer for the child to be at least 6 at the time of testing because they can use certain tests at 6 that they can’t use before 6, but you’d have to ask.

Interesting point - though isn't that too late for EI (or as early as possible ideally). What I don't appreciate about CAAT is there's an upcharge for everything if DX with ASD...which I find a bit off-putting

I haven't noticed the upcharge, although my non autistic child has never been seen there. Can you give examples? When we did PEERs, I'm pretty sure that everyone was charged the same amount, regardless of diagnosis -- at least I hope so!

[Anonymous]

Agree with PPs. You don't need to pay $$$ for CAAT's eval - you can get that through the school system or CNMC/KKI covered by insurance. Not sure any of it makes any difference for a kid with ASD - just get them what they need in terms of speech therapy, OT, PT if needed. Who cares about the exact diagnosis? I guess unless you need it for ABA to be covered by insurance- if your child needs ABA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PPs. You don't need to pay $$$ for CAAT's eval - you can get that through the school system or CNMC/KKI covered by insurance. Not sure any of it makes any difference for a kid with ASD - just get them what they need in terms of speech therapy, OT, PT if needed. Who cares about the exact diagnosis? I guess unless you need it for ABA to be covered by insurance- if your child needs ABA

I read a lot of evaluations professionally. The evals from children's are much, much less thorough and their recommendations much more cookie cutter than at CAAT. If all you need is a diagnosis and your child fits the stereotypical autism presentation, then children's is fine. But if you have good OON coverage/can afford it, you will learn more about your child's strengths and challenges and get better ideas for how to approach them through a CAAT evaluation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Agree with PPs. You don't need to pay $$$ for CAAT's eval - you can get that through the school system or CNMC/KKI covered by insurance. Not sure any of it makes any difference for a kid with ASD - just get them what they need in terms of speech therapy, OT, PT if needed. Who cares about the exact diagnosis? I guess unless you need it for ABA to be covered by insurance- if your child needs ABA

I read a lot of evaluations professionally. The evals from children's are much, much less thorough and their recommendations much more cookie cutter than at CAAT. If all you need is a diagnosis and your child fits the stereotypical autism presentation, then children's is fine. But if you have good OON coverage/can afford it, you will learn more about your child's strengths and challenges and get better ideas for how to approach them through a CAAT evaluation.

I don’t need a neuropsychologist to write IEP goals. I have a consultant for that who works with the school and understands what works and is easily reachable as things come up. The neuropsych was interesting only because it quantified what I already knew about my DS and confirmed his 2E status.

[Anonymous]

We went to CAAT because every professional or therapist who worked with my daughter called her complex or complicated, and I didn’t believe some of the diagnoses she had gotten from prior evaluations. It was worth some money to me to see what CAAT would find.

If your child is straightforward and you just need a diagnosis on paper, you don’t need to go there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've had great experiences with evaluations with Dr. Black. Our last one was just before covid and we have another one scheduled for the fall. No admin concerns, the wait is about one year.

Thank you and I'm also new to this "reevaluation process". We want another 2nd opinion and frankly do not want to show too many previous evaluations (although it helps) as I worry they will then be biased instead of doing a comprehensive assessment. DS was DX with ASD level 1 - quite mild as we did not even see the signs except speech and sleep challenges.

I would still provide the previous evaluation because some tests can't be repeated within a certain time. But definitely tell them the ways you think it's wrong. One of the things I like about them is how comprehensive the parent meeting is. (Not the admin intake when you are scheduled, but the 2 hour parent meeting just before the testing days).

That's interesting - so 2 hours, without the child present? How long is the assessment with the child, is it only an hour or 2 in the office, with flash cards, etc.? I really would prefer a wholistic view, at school, at home, but I am finding it hard to find neuropsych to do this...

Before they meet with you at all, you and the teacher fill out several rating scales. Then, yes, a two hour conversation with the parent(s), without the child. Then about 8 hours of testing in the office, divided over two days. I'm not sure what you mean by flashcards -- it included the WISC and achievement tests, as well as testing of language processing, Executive function, social engagement, specific aspects of academic concerns. They choose tests based on the concerns identified in the initial parent session. Then a two hour debrief with parents (child not there) about a week later. This is a conversation, where they are telling you what they saw and asking if you have any additional insight -- this conversation informs the report, which you get several weeks later. They give you a draft for feedback before finalizing it to give to school. They were very open to my suggestions about recommendations. We then had them explain the results in an age appropriate way in an additional session, but that's optional.

Very helpful indeed, certainly more comprehensive then I had imagined. I wonder if the length of time for testing is the same for a 4 year old?

Call them and ask these questions, OP! I believe they prefer for the child to be at least 6 at the time of testing because they can use certain tests at 6 that they can’t use before 6, but you’d have to ask.

Interesting point - though isn't that too late for EI (or as early as possible ideally). What I don't appreciate about CAAT is there's an upcharge for everything if DX with ASD...which I find a bit off-putting

I haven't noticed the upcharge, although my non autistic child has never been seen there. Can you give examples? When we did PEERs, I'm pretty sure that everyone was charged the same amount, regardless of diagnosis -- at least I hope so!

Was PEERS helpful?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've had great experiences with evaluations with Dr. Black. Our last one was just before covid and we have another one scheduled for the fall. No admin concerns, the wait is about one year.

Thank you and I'm also new to this "reevaluation process". We want another 2nd opinion and frankly do not want to show too many previous evaluations (although it helps) as I worry they will then be biased instead of doing a comprehensive assessment. DS was DX with ASD level 1 - quite mild as we did not even see the signs except speech and sleep challenges.

I would still provide the previous evaluation because some tests can't be repeated within a certain time. But definitely tell them the ways you think it's wrong. One of the things I like about them is how comprehensive the parent meeting is. (Not the admin intake when you are scheduled, but the 2 hour parent meeting just before the testing days).

That's interesting - so 2 hours, without the child present? How long is the assessment with the child, is it only an hour or 2 in the office, with flash cards, etc.? I really would prefer a wholistic view, at school, at home, but I am finding it hard to find neuropsych to do this...

Before they meet with you at all, you and the teacher fill out several rating scales. Then, yes, a two hour conversation with the parent(s), without the child. Then about 8 hours of testing in the office, divided over two days. I'm not sure what you mean by flashcards -- it included the WISC and achievement tests, as well as testing of language processing, Executive function, social engagement, specific aspects of academic concerns. They choose tests based on the concerns identified in the initial parent session. Then a two hour debrief with parents (child not there) about a week later. This is a conversation, where they are telling you what they saw and asking if you have any additional insight -- this conversation informs the report, which you get several weeks later. They give you a draft for feedback before finalizing it to give to school. They were very open to my suggestions about recommendations. We then had them explain the results in an age appropriate way in an additional session, but that's optional.

Very helpful indeed, certainly more comprehensive then I had imagined. I wonder if the length of time for testing is the same for a 4 year old?

Call them and ask these questions, OP! I believe they prefer for the child to be at least 6 at the time of testing because they can use certain tests at 6 that they can’t use before 6, but you’d have to ask.

Interesting point - though isn't that too late for EI (or as early as possible ideally). What I don't appreciate about CAAT is there's an upcharge for everything if DX with ASD...which I find a bit off-putting

I haven't noticed the upcharge, although my non autistic child has never been seen there. Can you give examples? When we did PEERs, I'm pretty sure that everyone was charged the same amount, regardless of diagnosis -- at least I hope so!

Was PEERS helpful?

Yes, the most helpful intervention we've done.

[Anonymous]

Was the PEERS group at CAAT particularly helpful - or cannot be done elsewhere?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Was the PEERS group at CAAT particularly helpful - or cannot be done elsewhere?

We only did it at CAAT, so can't compare. Based on our experience, what's important is that the provider provides the full curriculum, including the parent sessions and homework, and has an extensive enough intake process to build groups of students at similar levels.

[Anonymous]

What is PEERS? What age range?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is PEERS? What age range?

Teen class on conversation/friendship skills. We did it in 6th grade, but I think 9th grade would be even better. https://caatonline.com/peers-social-skills-groups/peers-for-teens/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What is PEERS? What age range?

Teen class on conversation/friendship skills. We did it in 6th grade, but I think 9th grade would be even better. https://caatonline.com/peers-social-skills-groups/peers-for-teens/

Looking for more information on CAAT and PEERs. My son is scheduled for the full neuropsych evaluation. He is 16 yrs. I think some of the topics on the social skills groups link above look like they could be helpful. I believe he has mild ASD however he has been able to make friends and host friends it is just exhausting for him and he is introverted. Can someone share what the social needs of the kids in PEERS is like? I am afraid if they the kids are struggling much more than he is, it would not be a good fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We've had great experiences with evaluations with Dr. Black. Our last one was just before covid and we have another one scheduled for the fall. No admin concerns, the wait is about one year.

Thank you and I'm also new to this "reevaluation process". We want another 2nd opinion and frankly do not want to show too many previous evaluations (although it helps) as I worry they will then be biased instead of doing a comprehensive assessment. DS was DX with ASD level 1 - quite mild as we did not even see the signs except speech and sleep challenges.

I would still provide the previous evaluation because some tests can't be repeated within a certain time. But definitely tell them the ways you think it's wrong. One of the things I like about them is how comprehensive the parent meeting is. (Not the admin intake when you are scheduled, but the 2 hour parent meeting just before the testing days).

That's interesting - so 2 hours, without the child present? How long is the assessment with the child, is it only an hour or 2 in the office, with flash cards, etc.? I really would prefer a wholistic view, at school, at home, but I am finding it hard to find neuropsych to do this...

Before they meet with you at all, you and the teacher fill out several rating scales. Then, yes, a two hour conversation with the parent(s), without the child. Then about 8 hours of testing in the office, divided over two days. I'm not sure what you mean by flashcards -- it included the WISC and achievement tests, as well as testing of language processing, Executive function, social engagement, specific aspects of academic concerns. They choose tests based on the concerns identified in the initial parent session. Then a two hour debrief with parents (child not there) about a week later. This is a conversation, where they are telling you what they saw and asking if you have any additional insight -- this conversation informs the report, which you get several weeks later. They give you a draft for feedback before finalizing it to give to school. They were very open to my suggestions about recommendations. We then had them explain the results in an age appropriate way in an additional session, but that's optional.

We had this exact same experience w Dr. Black and his team. Very comprehensive, they were compassionate and caring and Dr. Black himself explained the results to our child focusing on their strengths. All around great experience.

[Anonymous]

Having had neuropsychs at kki, childrens and CAAT, I can say that there is a big difference. KKI missed two diagnoses, Children’s final report had my child’s name wrong (including pronouns throughout the report). CAAT is incredibly thorough in every part of the process, including the parent in-take, school and home recommendations and details.
I would not go anywhere else.