Neuro & Psychological Assessments

Wakeful’s Assessment Services are led by Dr. Alexander Meyer, our Chief Diagnostician and a Licensed Clinical Psychologist. His passion for assessments stems from a desire to help people better understand what is going on for them so that they can improve and grow through in precise ways. Dr. Meyer specializes in assessing for Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) in both children and adults. He has spent many years working in school environments, assessing children and adolescents, and he collaborates with other Wakeful Clinicians to best support existing clients and their family members. If you are in curious about or in need of Assessment Services, fill out our Contact Form. Additionally, below is a list many of the issues that Wakeful’s Assessments can evaluate:

Standard Neuro/Psychological Evaluation

Ages 6 Years and Up

Autism Evaluation

Ages 2 Years and Up

Psycho-Social Concerns

Mood disorders
Anxiety/OCD
Depression
Trauma
Personality Disorders (Adults Only)
Communication Disorders

Cognitive Concerns

ADHD
Autism
Executive Functioning Problems
Developmental Delays
General Cognitive Functioning
Giftedness
Developmental Delays
Vocational Difficulties

Academic Concerns

Learning Disabilities (from mild to severe)
Special Education Advocacy: support in development of 504 plans and Individualized Education Plans (IEPs)
Learning Style (identifying strengths and weaknesses)
College Planning
Educational Planning

Benefits of Testing

Refining Academic, Employment and Therapeutic Focus and Support: The purpose of testing is to gather information and data through carefully chosen assessment measures that will help to better understand strengths and weaknesses, obtain an accurate diagnosis, and explain the best hypothetical context of certain difficulties and behaviors. This will allow the development of the very best therapeutic and/or academic so that the most appropriate action for improvement can be taken. Wakeful’s testing reports can be given to the schools and clinicians that you’re working with so that the results can be integrated into treatment and/or support. Additionally, Wakeful is always happy to meet with these individuals to discuss and further explore the findings.

More Comprehensive than School Evaluations: Wakeful’s evaluations go beyond a school-based evaluation by providing a comprehensive understanding of your child’s functioning; this includes their ability to learn, problem solve, academically perform, and their overall social/emotional functioning. Dr. Meyer ensures that Wakeful works with your child’s Educational Team to integrate collateral data and observations of your child. School district evaluations cannot officially diagnosis your child, but a private and more comprehensive evaluation from a Licensed Clinical Psychologist can. Wakeful’s evaluation will then help to guide a more targeted intervention plan at school and at home.

Common Questions

Is a Diagnosis Permanent? In many cases, no, and this is thanks to the neuroplasticity of the brain (aka, it is in a constant state of change). When we know what changes to make and the level of effort to put in, our diagnosis can change. What can get in the way is a self-reinforcing and false belief that we can’t change. If the diagnosis is likely to be permanent you can still adapt and improve! Testing empowers us by providing the clarity on how to do this.

Can I use Insurance? Our practice accepts Aetna, Cigna United Healthcare, and Blue Cross/Blue Shield PPO plans. Although Wakeful will do a complementary check of your benefits, it is advisable to call your insurance company to determine your specific coverage and what costs, if any, that you’ll incur.

What does an Assessment Cost? As indicated above, we do accept Aetna, Cigna, BCBS, and UHC insurance; please check with them to see exactly how your coverage works. If you’ll be paying privately then we’ll discuss our fees and payments with you directly. Just reach out through our Contact Form to get started.

The Assessment Process & What to Expect

If you’re new to the world of neuropsychological testing, then you probably have a lot of questions about how all of this works. This section provides a basic overview. The first step in the testing process for you or your child is to send a message to Dr. Meyer expressing your interest through Wakeful’s Contact Form. Once he reviews your request, Dr. Meyer will contact you to schedule a brief phone consultation.

Assessment Process Overview

Initial Consultation (15 min)
- During this brief meeting you’ll discuss the type of evaluation you’re seeking, the time frame in which testing can be done, a very brief history of the difficulties, and whether or not testing will be appropriate at this time.
Follow Up Email, Consent & Release of Information Document Completion
- These are more logistical in nature and focus on planning out the testing, scheduling and making connections between Wakeful and additional providers and institutions
Diagnostic Session (45-90 min) – Virtual or In-Person
- The diagnostic session is an in-person or virtual meeting with the individual or parents/child. It’s meant to gather detailed information regarding specific difficulties, in addition to historical information. This information helps Wakeful better decide which specific assessments and measures will be used.
Online Assessment Form Completion
- Individuals, Parents and/or other Providers/Institutions will complete digital/paper assessments that help document their experience of the individual being assessed.
Formal Testing Session – In-Person (About 3 hours)
- Testing occurs in-person and the individual will complete a variety of tasks. Sometimes this can take longer and may be split into 2 days, as is often the case with children.
Evaluation Review Session (1-2 hours)
- Once the data has been obtained, contemplated and the formal report completed, a Review Session will be scheduled to discuss the results, conclusions, address questions and advise the person or family what things can be done to help the individual moving forward.

After the evaluation:

Dr. Meyer will meet with you to review the findings and his recommendations. Dr. Meyer usually does these meetings virtually and shares the report on the screen for you to follow along. You will leave the meeting with a “blueprint” or roadmap to success for your child that translates our findings into specific areas to address. This personalized plan includes the following:

Referrals to the appropriate area professionals
Necessary supports needed at school
Tips for parents
Other supports identified

While we do offer therapeutic services at our practice that you are welcome to use, you will additionally be given referrals to providers in your community whose work we trust and respect. Also, with your permission, Dr. Meyer can communicate his findings to teachers and other school personnel to ensure the school’s support in your child’s treatment plan. After your meeting with Dr. Meyer, he will send you an electronic copy of yours or your child’s report.

Ongoing Follow-Up

Just because the evaluation is complete with Dr. Meyer does not mean that your relationship has to be over. Because his goal is happy and healthy children, teens, adults and parents, Dr. Meyer is available whenever you need him – for follow-up, questions, and/or fine-tuning of the original plan with reevaluation in the future!