Please read the information on this page and here before calling. If you still have questions, call or email through our contact page and Patty will provide a free consultation.
If your appointment is for gifted testing, or IQ/cognitive testing only, we use the Wechsler Scales including the WPPSI-IV, WISC-V or WAIS-IV depending on the age of the client.
If you decide to schedule an appointment, the following steps will ensue:
- You will want to refer to the Appointment Information section below in preparation for your appointment.
- Next, select the Assessment Forms page and fill out the proper forms. (Patty may send you additional forms if they are needed.)
- The day of your appointment, we will spend 2 to 4 hours with you (or your child) for testing and information gathering. We take time to make sure you (or your child) are comfortable.
Full diagnostic psychoeducational assessments include a core battery of tests and additional diagnostic tests according to the reason for the assessment. This is standard practice and is required for disability determination to be in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and the Association of Higher Education and Disabilities guidelines (AHEAD). Background history from the client is gathered by the assessment provider and a core battery of tests is administered including IQ/cognitive testing (with the Wechsler Scales including the WPPSI-IV, WISC-V or WAIS-IV depending on the age of the client) and academic testing (with the Woodcock Johnson Test of Achievement-Fourth Edition). Additional assessment measures are used for diagnosing dyslexia and other learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental disabilities, and other DSM-5 diagnoses. Specific procedures are discussed prior to, and during the assessment.
If your appointment is for IQ/cognitive testing only, this assessment is done with the Wechsler Scales including the WPPSI-IV, WISC-V or WAIS-IV depending on the age of the client. Background history is provided by the client when they fill out the background questionnaire on the Forms page of our website. This is standard practice to make sure our results are valid, reliable and that they complete a more full picture of the child, teen or adult.
We have art supplies and LEGO’s for our child clients and will play their favorite song on iTunes, ask them about their interests, notice what they do well, and do our best to make sure it is an enjoyable experience. The tests are interactive and include some visual, hands-on materials. There are no bubbles to fill in or long essays to write.
For our adult clients, rapport is making sure you understand that we are there to help. We want to teach you about yourself and how you can use your strengths to your benefit while coping with, or strategizing around your challenge areas. The tests we give are tools for insight and are not meant to intimidate or make you uncomfortable. We want you to think of the experience as an opportunity to grow and understand yourself better.
Before you leave your appointment, we will schedule a follow-up session as soon after the testing as possible, usually within a week. At this meeting we will share results, answer questions and make recommendations.
Your report of findings is a very important document to us, and to you. You will find that when received, our reports are usually long (5 to 7 pages for and IQ assessment, and 12 to 18 pages for a diagnostic assessment). The report format is standardized in accordance with best practices in psychoeducational assessment which includes background history, observations, explanation of findings, a DSM-5 diagnosis if warranted, and numerous pages of recommendations. These might include 504 accommodations and suggested IEP goals when needed. We might also include recommended curriculum, teaching practices, behavior techniques, and parenting skills. We will provide strategies to help your child with motivation, organization, and communication. We might go into depth about the kind of school is a good fit for your child, and why. For adults, we might include study skills, communication skills, coping strategies and memory strategies. We include community resources with links to websites. We want you to use our report as an ongoing resource that you can go back to if you have a question or are looking for help.
If you need your report within a designated time frame, we will do all we can to accommodate you. We do not offer a guarantee on how long our reports will take, but our general time frame is about two weeks from your follow-up appointment. What we do guarantee is that you will have a document that will help you better understand yourself or your child and one that will provide a great deal of support. We don’t feel it’s appropriate to put a time limit on the level of support necessary to meet the needs of our clients.
Appointment Information
In preparation for your appointment (Child Clients)
Often parents appreciate suggestions on what to tell their children about the assessment. I suggest that parents tell their children they will be doing some learning activities and talking about the things they know and are interested in. If they ask “why”, tell them that everyone learns differently and you want to find out how they learn best. If they ask about being “tested”, assure them that they will not be taking tests like those given in school. There is no pass/fail or grades given and kids enjoy the activities.
When you arrive we will talk to your child together until she/he appears to be comfortable. After a few minutes its best if the parent goes to the waiting area during the assessment, but if a child is anxious the parent can stay in the assessment office.
The best preparation for the assessment is to make sure your child gets a good night sleep and has a good breakfast. The appointment may last between 2 to 4 hours depending on which assessment is being done, so feel free to bring a snack if you think she/he will need one.
If your child is sick, please let us know before 8am the day of your appointment so we can reschedule. Even a cough or allergies can affect test performance.
Payments are made at the time of your appointment. To pay by credit card or HSA, see our Rates and Fees page and you can pay online. There is a processing fee.
There is no need to come early or check in with reception. When you arrive, you can go directly to the second floor, then down the hall to the back of the building. We are in suite 204 and our door will be open to you.
“Thank you SO much for the beautiful, informative, and helpful report. We are so thrilled to have had Leo tested with you as we now understand his learning style better. I hope we have an opportunity to work with you again in the future.” -T.B.
In preparation for your appointment (Adult Clients)
Your assessment will take between 2 and 4 hours so bring a snack if you’d like. Water and tea are available. You can take a break whenever you’d like. The atmosphere is very relaxed. The best preparation for the assessment is to make sure you get a good night sleep and have a good breakfast.
If you are sick, please let us know before 8am the day of your appointment so we can reschedule.
Payments are made at the time of your appointment. To pay by credit card or HSA, see our Rates and Fees page and you can pay online. There is a processing fee.
There is no need to come early or check in with reception. When you arrive, you can go directly to the second floor, then down the hall to the back of the building. We are in suite 204 and our door will be open to you.
Parking is free in the lot behind the building. Please refer our Contact/Location page for directions to the lot.
You or your child should continue to take any scheduled or prescribed medications the day of your appointment including ADHD/ADD medications. The assessment is designed to take this into consideration.
“Patty Martens is simply amazing. She worked with our teenage daughter, completing comprehensive psychoeducational testing. Our goal was for us all to understand our daughter’s learning style, strengths and challenges, so she could engage in her best academic journey. Our daughter was reluctant at first, but Patty makes the process so engaging and comfortable. We felt that Patty unlocked key information that not only will help our daughter succeed in school, but in life. Thank you!” -Anonymous