Assessment Services

Dr. Hejna and Dr. Selkirk have over 25 years of combined psychological assessment experience. Their testing services have earned a reputation with clients, parents, local healthcare providers, and schools as an outstanding source for thorough evaluations and exceptional, comprehensive reports. 

Types of Assessments We Provide:

A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is intended to clarify an individual’s unique neurocognitive strengths as well as areas of potential growth.

Through the use of state-of-the-art objective measures, typical areas assessed include: intellectual functioning (i.e., IQ), verbal abilities, visual-spatial skills, learning and memory, attention, and executive functioning. Additionally, clinical interviews and observations, self-report questionnaires, and subtle measures of social, emotional, and behavioral functioning help serve to diagnose or rule-out diagnoses in these areas, as well.  

If you or your child seems to experience notable challenges in areas such as communication, reading social cues or navigating social situations, dealing with transitions, and/or the ability to adjust to changes to routines, an ASD evaluation may be warranted.

ASD is a complex, neurocognitive condition that, while more widely known and better understood than it traditionally has been, continues to pose unique challenges in terms of accurate diagnosis. Dr. Selkirk and Dr. Hejna have over 25 years of collective experience evaluating, diagnosing, treating, and working with individuals across all points of the autism spectrum. They are also certified in the gold standard of ASD assessment measures, known as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, or ADOS. Early detection and intervention are keys to better outcomes. Thus, if you have any question as to whether you or your child may be on the Autism spectrum, please do not hesitate to contact us to get the assessment process started.

If your child is struggling in school or you feel they are experiencing specific challenges with certain subjects or types of learning, an evaluation of their academic skills may be appropriate. 

This can include evaluation for Learning Disorders in the areas of Reading (Dyslexia), Written Expression, or Mathematics. Additionally, a learning disorder evaluation would also rule out other possible issues that may be contributing to your child’s difficulties, such as ADHD.  Thus, it may be helpful to have the child undergo such an evaluation to determine their unique learning profile and to guide educational planning, including recommendations for Individualized Education Programs (IEP), 504 plans, and/or learning accommodations. 

What to Expect During the Assessment Process

  • The initial step of the assessment process involves an intake interview with the person being evaluated; or, in the case of a child or adolescent, the intake interview is conducted with at least one parent. During the intake appointment, your clinician will obtain a thorough history of your/your child’s background, including a biopsychosocial history, formative experiences, and developmental progression. Additionally, we will explore any current questions, needs, or concerns that a psychological evaluation may be helpful in understanding. As part of the intake interview, you will also be asked to complete intake paperwork, as well as questionnaires that can be returned on the day of testing. In the case of a child or adolescent assessment, we will likely want to obtain questionnaires and/or information from your child’s teachers and/or medical professionals involved in your child’s life.

  • The testing portion of the assessment typically takes place over the course of two or three sessions, with each session lasting between one and a half to three hours. Our clinic does not use trainees or techs to conduct any portion of the testing, so every aspect of the assessment will be managed by Dr. Selkirk or Dr. Hejna. The testing process typically includes a combination of a clinical interview, clinical or school observation, objective questionnaires, projective assessment methods, and computer-based performance tests.

  • Once all assessment measures have been collected, a feedback meeting is held approximately two to three weeks later. During this meeting, we will review the findings of the assessment, discuss clinical impressions and any diagnoses being provided, and go over key recommendations based on the results. Older children (age 12+) and adolescents are encouraged to be a part of this meeting, though a separate meeting can be arranged after initial feedback is provided to parents.

  • Typically within one to two weeks following the feedback meeting, a comprehensive report detailing the client’s history, testing results, diagnostic impressions, and recommendations is mailed to the family’s home or emailed using a password-protected document. Clients/parents are then free to share the report (or portions of the report) with anyone they so desire. With a signed Release of Information, your clinician can also share and/or discuss the report with school faculty and staff, as well as other providers involved in the client’s care.