Online Psychoeducational Evaluation in Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Arizona

What a psychoeducational evaluation is

A psychoeducational evaluation looks at learning, attention and thinking skills in one evaluation. People usually ask for one when school, college or an exam is harder than expected and the reason is unclear, or when a school, college or testing agency asks for documentation.

Looking at these areas together makes sense because they often overlap. MedlinePlus, from the National Library of Medicine, notes that children often have more than one kind of learning disability, and may also have another condition such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), which can make learning even more of a challenge.

We offer this evaluation for children, teens and adults, including college students and adults facing licensing or admissions exams. It is one of several psychological evaluations we carry out by video.

What the evaluation looks at

The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD) says a full evaluation for a learning disability includes a review of developmental, social and school performance, a discussion of family history, and academic and psychological testing. In general terms, a psychoeducational evaluation with us covers:

• Learning skills, such as reading, writing and math
• Attention and focus, at school or work and at home
• Thinking skills, such as reasoning and problem-solving
• School history, earlier reports, and what parents or teachers have noticed

How it differs from a single-question evaluation

Some evaluations answer one question. Our dyslexia and learning disability evaluation asks whether a learning disability explains trouble with reading, writing or math. Our child ADHD evaluation asks whether ADHD explains trouble with attention.

A psychoeducational evaluation is broader. It may suit you when more than one thing could be going on, or when the organization asking wants several areas covered. If you are unsure which fits, ask us at your free consultation.

Schools, colleges and testing agencies

A school, college or testing agency makes its own decision. We cannot promise that any of them will accept a report, or that an evaluation will lead to an Individualized Education Program (IEP), a Section 504 plan, a gifted placement or accommodations. Ask the organization exactly what it needs before you book. What follows is general information, not legal advice.

Public schools carry out their own evaluations. Federal special education regulations published by the U.S. Department of Education say a public agency must conduct a full initial evaluation before it first provides special education, and that a parent may request one. The Department's Section 504 guidance says an outside evaluation may be one of many sources a school considers, and that a group of people at the school decides eligibility.

College works differently. The Department's Office for Civil Rights explains that a college is not required to identify a student as having a disability or to assess their needs. Colleges may set reasonable standards for documentation, and an IEP or 504 plan from high school is generally not sufficient documentation.

For admissions and licensing exams, ADA.gov guidance says any documentation a testing entity requires must be reasonable and limited to the need for the accommodation requested. It lists the results of psychoeducational evaluations as one example.

How the evaluation works by video

The evaluation is carried out entirely by secure video, and there is no office to visit. The person being evaluated must be physically located in Pennsylvania, West Virginia or Arizona during appointments. For anyone under 18, a parent or guardian arranges the evaluation and takes part.

An evaluation usually involves an intake appointment, then one or two sessions to complete the evaluation, then time for the written report. At the moment, the written report is usually ready about a month after the first evaluation appointment. If you have a deadline, say so on the request form.

In our experience, the organizations that ask for evaluations have not raised video as a concern. That is not a promise about any one organization, so ask them first.

An evaluation is not emergency care. If you or your child is in crisis, call or text 988, or call 911. Locascio Wellness does not provide emergency or crisis services.

Cost, getting started and what comes after

Evaluations are private-pay and are not billed to insurance. The cost depends on what the evaluation involves, and a sliding scale is available. Our page on what evaluations cost explains more.

1. 1Send a short requestUse our short evaluation request form. It asks for the type of evaluation, age group, state and timing, and no health details. If the evaluation is for a child, tell us your child's age on the request form.
2. 2Talk it throughWe reply to set up a free 15-minute consultation. You can also choose a time on our booking page, or call 267-573-9817. We talk about what is needed, who is asking for it and any deadline.
3. 3Get the cost in writingBefore anything is scheduled, you receive the cost in writing, and you have the right to a Good Faith Estimate. See insurance and fees for how payment works.
4. 4Review the findings and decide what is nextThe findings are explained in plain language, with time for questions, and you receive a written report. We do not provide tutoring or reading instruction. If worry, confidence or focus is part of the picture, therapists on our team offer child therapy and therapy for teens and adults, as a separate service that is always your choice.