Child/Adolescent Psychological Evaluations
Psychological Evaluations may be recommended when children are experiencing difficulties at school, home, or with their peers and the underlying cause is unclear.
Some of the common conditions addressed are as follows:
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Anxiety / Depression
Disruptive Behavior Disorders (e.g. ODD)
School problems
At this time (spring 2025), Dr. Corissa Bayer has had to limit her availability for comprehensive evaluations. If you are interested in scheduling an initial child or adolescent consultation- please download the appropriate background questionnaire (forms here for the child’s age) and return to the clinic. She is scheduling as she is receiving questionnaires, although if she believes (based on the background forms) that you may be better served elsewhere, that recommendations will be given.
Cost / Insurance: Dr. Bayer is in network with Tricare only; Tricare Prime requires authorization for testing. Tricare specifically excludes psychoeducational testing (for learning disabilities). Dr. Bayer is not in network with any other insurances. If you have other insurance or no insurance - the cost for an initial evaluation is $275 and is due at the time of the appointment. This includes the initial interview (with parents and child, then each alone as needed) and standardized parent-report questionnaires. From this interview, we are able to discuss if additional psychological testing is recommended and needed for appropriate diagnosis and treatment planning. Because of her limited testing time and the desire to preserve the resources (time and money) of families, families may be guided to pursue recommendations prior to scheduling testing.
ADHD Testing: There is no gold standard “test” for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). Consensus recommends that a family/child is interviewed, the child’s medical and school history is reviewed, and that information is collected from people who see the child in various settings. In most cases, this includes quesitonnaires completed by parents and teachers. It is also crucial that the clinician carefully considers other potential conditions that can impact behavior or attention: sleep, illness, untreated medical or psychological conditions, etc. After the initial consultation and recommendations, if caregivers desire an ADHD evaluation- the cost will be an additional $525. This includes standardized questionnaires (parent, teacher, and child), discussion with teacher if needed, a computerized test of attention if needed, and a feedback session with caregivers to review results and recommendations. Standardized questionnaires means that the responses are compared to a sample of same-age peers, which gives us an idea of whether symptoms are developmentally appropriate or a sign of a difficulty. The following article presents helpful information on the process: https://childmind.org/article/how-to-get-an-adhd-diagnosis/. Occasionally, additional IQ or psychoeducational testing is helpful in understanding the child. If this is recommended, it will be reviewed.
Questions about testing: If testing is recommended, anticipated length of time and fees will be reviewed prior to scheduling the second appointment. Some test activities are written, some verbal, and some are tasks that are similar to puzzles. Results from these tests are integrated with knowledge of a child's history, developmental level, and social, emotional and behavioral functioning to provide recommendations to the family, school, and physicians when appropriate. Recommendations may include treatments options, accommodations for school, and/or educational resources.
Preparing your child for the evaluation
Be positive
Make sure he/she is well rested and has a good breakfast
Give medications as prescribed, unless otherwise directed