A neuropsychological evaluation requires up to 14 hours (3-8 in-person) to complete and involves the following:
The in-person portions of the evaluation process are conducted over two appointments – the Interview and Testing Appointment, and the Feedback Appointment
Patients complete intake paperwork, including a financial agreement form and a personal history questionnaire. To secure one’s scheduled appointment date, the financial agreement form must be completed and returned to our office within 5 days of scheduling the appointment (via email, through our website, or via U. S. mail). Forms will either be emailed to you after scheduling or can be accessed and submitted through this website.
Appointments begin at 9:00 A.M. at which time you will meet with Dr. McFarland for a comprehensive clinical interview focused on the reason for the evaluation (e.g., relevant symptoms, timeline of symptoms, relevant medical history, etc.). Following the interview, you will complete 2-5 hours of testing with the technician. Breaks, including lunch, are taken as needed.
Following the completion of testing, your tests will be scored and a comprehensive report will be written that integrates information gathered during the interview with test data. The report summarizes the results of the evaluation and also provides detailed, personally-tailored recommendations.
Following completion of the report, our office will call you to schedule an appointment with Dr. McFarland in which the results of the evaluation will be reviewed with you, including diagnoses (if relevant) and detailed recommendations. You will receive a copy of the report at that time, along with a “Super Bill” that you can submit to insurance for reimbursement.
A neuropsychological evaluation looks at the whole child, not just one area of development. While some evaluations focus on a single concern, neuropsychological testing brings together information about thinking, learning, behavior, emotions, and social skills.
This comprehensive approach helps us:
Better understand how your child processes information and interacts with the world
Accurately diagnose Autism Spectrum Disorder and related concerns
Identify your child’s strengths, challenges, and learning style
Provide clear, individualized recommendations for school, therapies, and home
Our goal is to help families gain meaningful insight and practical guidance—not just a diagnosis.
Before your appointment, caregivers will be asked to complete questionnaires about your child’s development, behavior, and daily functioning. Teacher feedback may also be requested when appropriate.
These forms help us:
Learn about your child before we meet them
Understand concerns across different settings
Make the evaluation as efficient and comfortable as possible
You will also receive information about what to expect on testing day and how to prepare your child.
The caregiver interview is an important opportunity for you to share your child’s story. During this time, we will talk about:
Early development and milestones
Communication and social interactions
Emotional and behavioral concerns
School history and supports
Strengths, challenges, and family goals
This conversation helps ensure the evaluation reflects your child’s real-life experiences.
When appropriate, the clinician will spend one-on-one time with your child in a relaxed and supportive setting. This may involve conversation, games, or structured activities, depending on your child’s age and comfort level.
This helps us:
Observe social communication and interaction
Understand how your child expresses thoughts and feelings
Build rapport and help your child feel at ease
Not all children require a formal interview, and we always adjust our approach to meet your child’s needs.
Testing may take place over one or more sessions, depending on your child’s age and needs. We offer breaks and adjust pacing to help children stay comfortable and engaged.
Testing may include activities that look at:
Once all testing is complete, the clinician carefully reviews and integrates all information gathered from interviews, observations, questionnaires, and test results.
A comprehensive written report is created, which includes:
This process takes time to ensure accuracy and thoughtful recommendations.
The feedback session is a meeting with caregivers to review results and discuss next steps. During this session, the clinician will:
Explain findings and diagnoses in parent-friendly terms
Answer questions and address concerns
Review recommendations and supports
Help you understand how results apply to daily life
Our goal is for families to leave feeling informed, supported, and empowered.