Psychoeducational & Psychological Evaluation

 

Timely and Affordable Evaluations for All Ages

At Hope Ave Therapy, we recognize the urgency and stress that come with finding quality assessments when you or your child is facing challenges academically, professionally, socially, or emotionally. Long wait times and high costs can make the process even more daunting. That's why we're committed to providing comprehensive, individualized assessments in a timeline that works for you, ensuring swift and accessible support. Whether you or your child struggles with focusing, keeping up in school, managing emotions, or navigating relationships, we are here to help them thrive. Our evaluations are designed not only to understand the client’s unique needs but also to empower them with practical strategies for support and growth.

 

Offerings:

Comprehensive Psychoeducational Evaluation (Academic + Psychological)

This full-spectrum evaluation explores both cognitive/psychological and academic functioning to provide a well-rounded profile of your or your child’s abilities, challenges, and emotional needs. Ideal for identifying specific learning disabilities, emotional impairments, and cognitive strengths.

  • When to Consider: If you or your child is struggling academically or professionally and you’re seeking clarity on how learning, emotional well-being, and cognitive functioning intersect

Psychological Evaluation (Cognitive + Social/Emotional/Behavioral)

This evaluation focuses on cognitive performance as well as social, emotional, and behavioral functioning.

  • When to Consider: If you’ve noticed emotional or behavioral challenges, concerns about focus or attention, or changes in how you or your child interact socially

Targeted Evaluations for Specific Needs

We understand that every person’s needs are different. If you’re looking for a more focused evaluation, we offer the following options:

  • Academic Evaluation: Provides a clear understanding of how your child is performing in school

  • Cognitive Evaluation: Focuses on cognitive abilities and problem-solving skills, ideal for when academic or social/emotional evaluations have been conducted recently

  • Social/Emotional/Behavioral Evaluation: Assesses emotional and behavioral functioning, helping to address concerns about mood, behavior, or peer relationships

ADHD Assessments and Educational Diagnoses

If you suspect you or your child may have ADHD or another condition affecting their focus and attention, our ADHD assessment process is tailored to your needs. We provide educational diagnoses that can be used to secure school accommodations (such as IEPs or 504 Plans) or testing accommodations (for tests such as the SAT, ACT and GRE) ensuring that you or your child receives the support they need.

Conditions Diagnosed Include:

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)

  • Specific Learning Disabilities (Dyslexia, Dyscalculia)

  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

  • Anxiety and Depression

  • Intellectual Impairments

  • Communication Impairments

  • Emotional Impairments

  • Developmental Delay

 Meet Teresa Lacks, LEP

 

"As an Educational Psychologist, I have over 7 years of experience conducting and interpreting psychological evaluations for children, adolescents and young adults in Massachusetts public and private school settings. Alongside administering professional cognitive, academic, and social-emotional assessments, I make sure to interview the people who know the client best, including their teachers, special educators, counselors, healthcare providers, parents, and the children themselves."

"Respecting and integrating these viewpoints allows me to create a well-rounded and useful understanding of the client’s experience of life, their unique strengths and challenges, and the most supportive environments for their growth. I believe that beyond merely suggesting a label, the evaluation process is about getting to know the person in front of me. The developmental profile I construct and the recommendations I provide will reflect my client’s humanity."

"The findings from my evaluations have led to educational diagnoses of health impairments like ADHD, emotional impairments such as anxiety and depression, specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia and dyscalculia, autism spectrum disorder, developmental delay, intellectual impairment, and communication impairment. I look forward to helping you or your child take the next step toward progress and support."

 

Step-by-Step Process:

  1. Initial Consultation:

    • What happens: You’ll meet with our educational psychologist, Teresa Lacks, LEP, to discuss your concerns and objectives for the assessment.

    • Purpose: This meeting helps us tailor the evaluation to meet your specific needs.

  2. Assessment Sessions:

    • What happens: Teresa conducts various testing sessions with you or your child. These sessions may include cognitive tests, academic assessments, and evaluations of social and emotional behavior.

    • Purpose: To gather comprehensive data on the client’s learning and developmental profile.

  3. Analysis and Report Preparation:

    • What happens: Teresa analyzes the test results to compile a detailed report. This report includes diagnostic information, strengths and weaknesses, and tailored recommendations.

    • Timeline: The report is typically completed within four weeks from the start of the assessment.

  4. Feedback Session:

    • What happens: After the report is prepared, a feedback session is scheduled where Teresa will go over the results and recommendations with you and answer any questions you might have.

    • Purpose: To ensure you understand the findings and feel equipped to use them as effectively as possible moving forward.

What You Should Know:

  • Duration: The entire assessment process, from start to finish, is designed to be completed within four weeks of the initial testing date.

  • Focus on Comfort: We strive to make the assessment experience as comfortable and stress-free as possible for you or your child.

  • Cost: Costs for assessments are determined on a case-by-case basis, and we encourage interested parties to reach out directly to discuss pricing options and payment details.

Next Steps

Ready to get started or have more questions about our assessment process?