Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How will we benefit from an assessment?

An assessment may be beneficial for many different reasons. For example, a child may be having difficulty paying attention, may be disorganized or forgetful, or may be having difficulty making progress academically. He or she may seem to be depressed or anxious, and this may be impacting his or her functioning in multiple ways. There are many factors that influence a child’s academic, social, and emotional success. A thorough assessment can provide detailed information about his or her pattern of strengths and weaknesses and can offer insight into why he or she is struggling. The goal of the assessment is to provide specific, individualized recommendations for your child. This may include referrals to other providers (e.g., a speech and language pathologist, an occupational therapist, a psychotherapist), suggested school accommodations, changes that can be made at home or at school, and/or recommended informational resources, depending on your child’s needs.

What is involved in an assessment?

Assessments include the following:

Completion of forms and standardized questionnaires to obtain background information about your child’s medical, developmental, and academic history as well as his or her social, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
An interview with you (the parent or guardian) to learn more about your concerns and to obtain more detailed and nuanced information about your child’s history and his or her current functioning.
Your child will complete multiple tests designed to assess his or her verbal abilities, visual-spatial skills, nonverbal reasoning abilities, working memory, processing speed, academic achievement, attention, learning, memory, executive functioning skills, visual-motor, and/or motor skills. The test battery will be individualized to your child’s needs. During testing, your child may be asked to answer questions, complete puzzle-like tasks, read, write, or complete math problems. For many children, testing will seem similar to school. All tests are administered on a one-on-one basis in a quiet setting by Dr. Silvia.
Your child may be asked to complete questionnaires about his or her mood, behavior, and adjustment.
Your child’s teacher or teachers will be asked to complete questionnaires about your child’s behavior in the classroom.

How long does an assessment take?

Assessments are typically completed in 3 or 4 sessions:

Parent interview: This one-hour appointment is for the parent or parents only (your child does not attend). You will be asked to bring your completed background forms to this appointment. The testing session will be planned based on information from this appointment.
Testing session: The testing session can be scheduled for either a full day (9:30 am to 4:30 pm) with a short lunch break or for two morning sessions.
Feedback session: The feedback appointment (one hour long) is for parents. Your child may also be asked to attend this appointment, depending on his or her age and the nature of the results and recommendations. You will receive a copy of the report during the feedback session. We will discuss the results and recommendations in detail and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you have.

Will my child receive a diagnosis?

If your child meets criteria for a diagnosis, such as ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), a learning disability, depression, anxiety, or autism spectrum disorder, the diagnosis or diagnoses will be included in the written report that you receive. However, it is your choice as a parent to decide who to share this information with. The advantages and disadvantages of sharing this information in particular situations will be discussed in detail during the feedback session as it relates to your child’s individual needs.

Why should I choose Village Child Assessment?

Specialized care: Village Child Assessment is specifically dedicated to providing pediatric neuropsychological assessments. Dr. Silvia has completed specialized training in this area and has focused all of her efforts on providing this specific service. Dr. Silvia conducts the entire evaluation, including all testing.
Individualized care: Your child will receive a comprehensive assessment and thoughtful, individualized recommendations.
Timely services: You will receive a copy of the finished report at the time of the feedback session. Feedback sessions are typically scheduled 2 to 3 weeks after the testing session, provided that teacher questionnaires have been received. In special circumstances, it may be possible to schedule a feedback session and receive the finished report sooner.

How do I pay for an assessment?

Village Child Assessment is not in-network with any insurance companies at this time and does not bill insurance companies directly. However, you will be provided with documentation for out-of-network benefits if you wish to seek reimbursement yourself. If your insurance plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may be able to receive partial reimbursement for the assessment. Please call (410) 205-6564 for an explanation of fees. Fifty percent payment is due at the time of the first appointment (the parent interview) and the remainder is due on the day of the testing session. Personal checks and all major credit and debit cards are accepted.

How will we benefit from an assessment?

An assessment may be beneficial for many different reasons. For example, a child may be having difficulty paying attention, may be disorganized or forgetful, or may be having difficulty making progress academically. He or she may seem to be depressed or anxious, and this may be impacting his or her functioning in multiple ways. There are many factors that influence a child’s academic, social, and emotional success. A thorough assessment can provide detailed information about his or her pattern of strengths and weaknesses and can offer insight into why he or she is struggling. The goal of the assessment is to provide specific, individualized recommendations for your child. This may include referrals to other providers (e.g., a speech and language pathologist, an occupational therapist, a psychotherapist), suggested school accommodations, changes that can be made at home or at school, and/or recommended informational resources, depending on your child’s needs.

What is involved in an assessment?

Assessments include the following:

Completion of forms and standardized questionnaires to obtain background information about your child’s medical, developmental, and academic history as well as his or her social, emotional, and behavioral functioning.
An interview with you (the parent or guardian) to learn more about your concerns and to obtain more detailed and nuanced information about your child’s history and his or her current functioning.
Your child will complete multiple tests designed to assess his or her verbal abilities, visual-spatial skills, nonverbal reasoning abilities, working memory, processing speed, academic achievement, attention, learning, memory, executive functioning skills, visual-motor, and/or motor skills. The test battery will be individualized to your child’s needs. During testing, your child may be asked to answer questions, complete puzzle-like tasks, read, write, or complete math problems. For many children, testing will seem similar to school. All tests are administered on a one-on-one basis in a quiet setting by Dr. Silvia.
Your child may be asked to complete questionnaires about his or her mood, behavior, and adjustment.
Your child’s teacher or teachers will be asked to complete questionnaires about your child’s behavior in the classroom.

How long does an assessment take?

Assessments are typically completed in 3 or 4 sessions:

Parent interview: This one-hour appointment is for the parent or parents only (your child does not attend). You will be asked to bring your completed background forms to this appointment. The testing session will be planned based on information from this appointment.
Testing session: The testing session can be scheduled for either a full day (9:30 am to 4:30 pm) with a short lunch break or for two morning sessions.
Feedback session: The feedback appointment (one hour long) is for parents. Your child may also be asked to attend this appointment, depending on his or her age and the nature of the results and recommendations. You will receive a copy of the report during the feedback session. We will discuss the results and recommendations in detail and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions that you have.

Will my child receive a diagnosis?

If your child meets criteria for a diagnosis, such as ADHD (Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder), a learning disability, depression, anxiety, or autism spectrum disorder, the diagnosis or diagnoses will be included in the written report that you receive. However, it is your choice as a parent to decide who to share this information with. The advantages and disadvantages of sharing this information in particular situations will be discussed in detail during the feedback session as it relates to your child’s individual needs.

How do I pay for an assessment?

Village Child Assessment is not in-network with any insurance companies at this time and does not bill insurance companies directly. However, you will be provided with documentation for out-of-network benefits if you wish to seek reimbursement yourself. If your insurance plan includes out-of-network benefits, you may be able to receive partial reimbursement for the assessment. Please call (410) 443-1333 for an explanation of fees. Fifty percent payment is due at the time of the first appointment (the parent interview) and the remainder is due on the day of the testing session. Personal checks and all major credit and debit cards are accepted.