Why Are Evaluations Useful?

Evaluations can reveal information that may be difficult or impossible to gain through other avenues. This may help to:

• Provide diagnostic clarification

• Gain an understanding of why an examinee is struggling in school, at work, or in interpersonal relationships

• Develop personalized, evidence-based approaches or accommodations for managing daily life, school, and work. Examples of common recommendations include:

• Treatment recommendations, such as guidance for therapeutic intervention and referrals for psychiatry, therapy, or medical testing.

• Work/Academic accommodations, which include recommended strategies and supports to enable success at work/in school. These may be used to inform ADA accommodations, IEPs, and 504 Plans.

• Caregiver recommendations, which involve strategies to support a child at home, such as helping a child manage their feelings and behavior, build self-esteem, or complete household/school responsibilities.

• Extracurricular recommendations, which use an examinee’s identified interests and hobbies to suggest activities that simultaneously involve applying one’s strengths while bolstering areas of growth.

What Does the Testing Process Look Like?

While every assessment is tailored to your needs, some common steps in our process are outlined below. Prior to beginning testing, you and your assessor will work together to determine the best procedure for you.

1.      Clinical Interview. Meet with your assessor to refine referral questions and provide information about yourself/your child.

2.     Test Day(s). You/your child will complete a customized test battery over 1-3 test days. For child evaluations, caregivers may complete questionnaires to capture their perception of the child’s functioning.

3.     Collateral Information. Your assessor may collaborate with relevant parties (e.g., partners, therapists, teachers, extended family, etc.) to gain a holistic understanding of you/your child across settings.

4.     Results & Feedback.

·        Formal Assessment Report: These written reports offer detailed information on test results, diagnostic impressions, and recommended next steps for support and treatment. These are often used to share results with treatment providers or inform school/work accommodations.

Feedback Session: You will meet with your assessor after testing is completed and data are analyzed to review results and have the opportunity to ask questions.

·        Therapeutic Letter: Like a formal report, a therapeutic letter may also summarize test results, diagnostic impressions, and recommended next steps. However, these letters are specifically written for the client (rather than other professionals) in a more succinct, easily understood, and approachable manner. Clients may wish to receive this alongside or instead of a formal report.

·        Therapeutic Story: Children may benefit from a custom, illustrated story that explains test results in an age-appropriate, empowering manner. Each story weaves in the child’s diagnoses, strengths/growth areas, and recommended next steps for future treatment and support. Parents may also read the story with their child at home, which fosters ongoing communication and support after testing has concluded. 

I think I or a loved one may have autism. What can I expect from testing?

 At Bloomfield Psychology, we provide thoughtful, comprehensive autism evaluations for children, teens, and adults. Our goal is to create a supportive environment where individuals and families can better understand their unique strengths, communication styles, and areas that may feel challenging. We use well-researched and evidence-based assessments such as gold-standard autism tests, cognitive testing, personality measures, as well as input from parents, teachers, or loved ones, to develop a full and accurate clinical picture. Sometimes the results confirm autism, and other times they point to something different, such as ADHD, social anxiety, learning differences, or the impact of stress. Either way, our evaluations are designed to bring clarity, meaningful answers, and practical next steps for growth and support.

What does an Assessment Cost?

 Each evaluation is tailored to your unique circumstances, referral questions, and goals. As such, price varies based on individual factors, such as the breadth of testing and desired deliverables (e.g., formal report and/or therapeutic story or letter). An average evaluation costs between $3,000-3,500.

 Please call (720) 460-0543 or email info@bloomfieldpsych.com for more information.