Anonymous[b wrote:]Get school eval first, if you like results no need for private[/b].

I don't know about other school districts but in FCPS, it is very difficul to get the school to do any testing. We had a letter from a psychiatrist recommending testing, plus a DC was eligible for a 504 plan based on the diagnosis and FCPS indicated there was insufficient evidence for testing. We wasted a lot of time trying to convince the school to do the testing and failed each time. We recently got the report from private testing and will use that report to request an IEP and more accommodations for the 504. Not sure, we'll succeed but I think we have a better chance now that we have a full psychoeducational testing report.

We recently had testing at Inova Keller Center and were very pleased with psychologist, assessment, and report. the psychoeducational testing was about $2,500 total. Our insurance paid for the psychological testing portion and we paid out of pocket for the educational testing (approx. $1,200) which was a lot more affordable than the $3,500 at other out-of-network testing facilities. it took us about 6-8 months to get an intake appointment. Once the intake was complete, the testing was scheduled within a couple of weeks.

NP here - what do the schools test for exactly, and what level of input do you receive (we are in APS)?

Our advocate has always discouraged using us from using the hospitals. She doesn't like the fact that you can get anyone, including greener people who may not be as adept at testing difficult kids, like ours. There are some career people on staff but many of the psychologists are not that experienced and she feels that the experience is not as personalized as it would be if you were seen in private practice, particularly if you are getting the report for a particular purpose.

We recently waited about 5 months for KKI.

The evaluations are as good as the person conducting the testing and writing the report. We went through 2 different private pay evaluators--one was fantastic another was abysmal. I would go through kki or children's with zero qualms--we've had other testing there.

We had an eval done at KKI for DS recently. Our insurance does not require a pre-certification, so I got a call the day I made my appointment (for March 2019) telling me that there was a cancellation for the following morning. If your insurance does not require the first screening meeting, you will be placed at the top of the cancellation list. The scheduler says they get cancellations regularly. The psychologists have 30 days to write their report after the eval, so that was the only wait. I couldn't believe how lucky we got.

Anonymous wrote:NP. Who are some of the other providers besides KKI and Children’s? I have a child going into MS who we’ve long suspected was autistic (dx w/ MERLD). The waitlist at Children’s is so long.

Want to add: were in DC so no on the school evaluation. I have dealt extensively with them because of speech and they suck!

NP. Who are some of the other providers besides KKI and Children’s? I have a child going into MS who we’ve long suspected was autistic (dx w/ MERLD). The waitlist at Children’s is so long.

Anonymous wrote:Get school eval first, if you like results no need for private.

Agree. You may find the school eval perfectly adequate and the school will have it done in 60 days from time of request. It is free too. You can always schedule an eval with KKI and children’s too (for next year).

Get school eval first, if you like results no need for private.

Is the only drawback for going with KKI and Children's (covered by insurance) the amount of time it takes to get seen or other groups like Stuxrod considered much better (more detailed, comprehensive report and recommendations)? It would be very hard for us to afford the $3500 or so out of pocket at one of the places that does not take insurance so trying to do some cost/benefit analysis. This is for a 9 year old boy with suspected ADHD/anxiety/executive function issues.

Secondly - what are the pros and cons when choosing between Children's and KKI?

Thank you!