Choosing an Evaluator

Choosing the right educational evaluator for your child can be daunting. With so many different types of professionals and services offered, it’s hard to know where to start. This blog is designed to help you narrow down the qualities that are most important to you, know the right questions to ask, and help you communicate your needs to your evaluator. The first tip is to not be afraid to talk to someone and ask questions. Many parents don’t know about testing, what it is, or how it works, and a good evaluator should expect you may be worried or uncertain, and be able to support you in a way that feels validating and understanding. It is our job to listen to you and help you! 

As a psychologist, I can speak to factors and characteristics that are most important to the parents I speak with. When choosing a psychologist to evaluate your child, first identify your main priorities. Is cost a factor? Will you need to use insurance? Weeding through these pieces first can help narrow down the list pretty quickly. Other basic features to consider are: geographic location and waitlist. You will likely be coming to the evaluator’s office a few times, so make sure you are okay with the location. If you need testing in a short timeframe or are anxious for results, make sure you ask when their next openings are. Some psychologists are booked for 3-6 months, and those that take insurance or work in a university or hospital setting can have a waitlist of up to a year or more. 

Next, make sure you understand the evaluator’s professional training. What is their degree, their training, and profession (for example, a psychologist or an educational professional)? This information should be readily available on a provider’s website, but feel free to ask more questions. When you call the office, will you be speaking with the evaluator or an office manager? Can you get ahold of the evaluator if needed? Will the evaluator be conducting the testing, or will it be a supervised student or office tech? When will the report be available? Some of the most sought-after evaluators also tend to be the busiest, so be sure to know who you’ll be seeing, how to get in touch, and when testing and feedback will be. How much time will be allotted for the appointments? If you would like a more personalized experience or ongoing communication with the evaluator, be sure to ask these questions. 

When contacting an evaluator, it’s best to have a brief description to provide them about your child and your concerns. You’ll likely find that you will be leaving a voicemail or sending an email, so being prepared to explain what you need can be helpful. The most useful information for an evaluator is your name (you’d be surprised how many people forget to mention this!), your child’s name and age, and your main areas of concern. For example, “My name is Jane Doe, and I’m calling about an evaluation for my son, John. He’s in 3^rd grade and his teachers have been concerned about his reading. We’re wondering if he may have dyslexia” or “I’m calling about my daughter, Susie. My name is Mary Smith. Susie’s struggled since starting high school. Middle school was tough, but now that she’s in high school, she can’t keep up with assignments, is really scattered, and tells us she can’t focus. We’d like to get some testing to see what can help her.” From there, the evaluator can ask more questions if they need and explain the testing process. Afterwards, ask any questions you have, such as the ones mentioned above. At the end of the day, you should feel like you made an informed decision, and your evaluator helped you do that. You want to feel heard and valued, and that your evaluator has a good sense of how to help your family. 

Finally, asking your friends, family, or child’s school if they have any evaluator recommendations can be a helpful starting place as well. If you have an older child or teen, consider asking them to review websites and pick who they feel most comfortable with. If you choose a psychologist for an evaluation, please do not pick your evaluator based on reviews. Certainly, any bad reviews should be considered as a “red flag.” However, in our profession, it is unethical for us to ask clients for reviews, so not having reviews or testimonials is not a reflection of a bad evaluator, but merely an ethical one. Good luck with your journey, and remember: Do not hesitate to ask questions!

Stephanie Fox, PsyD, is a licensed psychologist at Four Corners Psychological Services, an educational testing practice offering assessment for children, teens, and adults. Dr. Fox conducts evaluations for dyslexia, dysgraphia, ADHD, and other types of learning and emotional differences.

More information can be found at www.fourcorners-ps.com or by emailing Dr. Fox at drfox@fourcorners-ps.com.