Tips for Choosing A Neuropsychologist to Work With!
Finding a neuropsychologist who is the best fit for your family isn’t always as simple as it sounds. To help you determine the best assessor for your needs, we’ve compiled some suggestions for what to look for and ask about before making your final decision.
Gain Clarity
Before looking through a directory of all the local neuropsychologists in your area or calling all those you were referred to, take time to pause and ask yourself an important question. What is driving the need for your student’s independent assessment? At the onset, it’s important to clarify your end goal. In essence, what is the ‘big picture’ you are seeking through a private neuropsychologist’s assessment? Believe it or not, being clear on this will help you narrow down who you’d like to work with.
Values To Look For in a Neuropsychologist
One of the most important things to look for in a neuropsychologist is someone whose values align with your goals, and certainly your own values. For example, you might want to look for an assessor who will be pragmatic and views working together as a process. Will they be willing to help you “think out loud” as you try to understand your student better? Or, if your goal is working towards IEP (Individualized Educational Plan) eligibility for your child, will they work quickly to meet a deadline you have? To help you get the answers you’re looking for, you don’t want to work with someone who sees your work together as a “rote” but rather values-based. A good assessor should be willing to speak with you up front so you can gauge their values and the overall alignment of your needs with their philosophy.
Know your Student’s Assessor
When you’re getting to know different professionals, ask them about their process. For example, will there be multiple people assessing your child? We suggest finding a neuropsychologist who will only have one person conducting the testing and assessments. That way you can ensure you get an “integrated” and cohesive picture of your child.
You should also gain clarity on what material is covered and included in the evaluation. In addition, you’ll want to ask about the credentials of the specialist conducting the assessment. It’s important to know that some practices use Fellows (clinicians who are gaining supervised experience), which is something we recommend understanding before beginning your work together.
Don’t be afraid to ask to meet with the evaluator(s) first. It’s important to know that you will be comfortable with this person and most importantly, that your child will be! If your student doesn’t feel at ease, then they will most likely not get a realistic impression of your child.
Quick Questions You Should Ask
We've put together a few quick questions you might ask when you meet with a neuropsychologist to help you make the best decision possible for your needs.
Should my child continue to take their medication prior to testing?
How long will it take to get your written feedback report? What happens after the report?
What insurance coverage do they take? How does that work?
How do you structure your fees? Hourly, set package price, per test, etc?
Do you offer a feedback meeting with my child (assuming the child is old enough and it is appropriate)
The Deciding Factors
Two of the biggest factors families use to determine who they will be working with are cost and experience. While these are important items, there’s actually a lot more to consider. Here are some tips to help you determine what is best for your family when you’re down to your last few choices.
Understand their scope of work. Do they have a specialty? If so, what is their expertise in assessing relevant diagnoses (dyslexia, anxiety, autism etc)? Do they work with just younger kids or teenagers, too?
How available is your evaluator going to be during and post-testing? What does that look like?
What is the evaluator’s familiarity with your local school district?
Is the professional willing to come and meet with the team at your child’s school?
Do they offer follow up consultation if needed and continuity of care (e.g. are they willing to collaborate with other outside providers and schools to assist with understanding your child's profile and treatment/educational planning)?
As you can see, there are a multitude of factors that go into deciding which neuropsychologist is right for your student. Every family has different decision points and parameters, although with some of the aforementioned questions in hand, you’ll hopefully walk away with a greater sense of who will be best for your student’s needs!
What additional questions would you ask a neuropsychologist when deciding who to work with?