Assessment
Oak Ridge, NC 27310
Kindergarten Readiness
A kindergarten readiness assessment helps parents determine if their child has the cognitive, academic, socio-emotional, and developmental skills necessary to succeed in elementary school. Testing is beneficial for parents deciding if their child may need to be challenged or may need more time. Often, this includes whether a young 5-year-old needs more time before starting kindergarten or if a bright 4-year-old who barely misses the age cutoff would benefit from being challenged in a school setting. Parents who would like to start their child early may be required by their school district to complete a kindergarten readiness assessment. A child is assessed in the following domains: cognitive functioning (IQ test), pre-academic and academic knowledge, socio-emotional and behavioral functioning, and developmental strengths and weaknesses.
Gifted
A gifted assessment is conducted to determine if a child is intellectually gifted. Most parents seek gifted identification for their child to enter certain gifted schools, programs, or services. This testing also helps parents find a school that is the best fit for their child's needs. A child is assessed in the following domains: cognitive functioning (IQ test), academic achievement, socio-emotional and behavioral functioning, and giftedness, as defined by state and federal guidelines.
ADHD
Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) assessment is a diagnostic evaluation that aims to determine if you are living with ADHD. Symptoms include difficulty paying attention, controlling impulsive behavior, and difficulty maintaining age-appropriate activity levels. ADHD can often include concerns with executive functioning as well. If you are struggling at home, in school, or with friends -- this assessment may be beneficial. ADHD assessments include the following domains: cognitive functioning (IQ), brief academic achievement, executive functioning, memory and learning, sustained attention, socio-emotional and behavioral functioning, and motivation. A classroom observation may also be conducted. Given that various disorders overlap with ADHD, a full battery is completed. If other concerns are present -- please consider the Comprehensive Psychoeducational Assessment.
Learning Disability
A learning disability assessment is a diagnostic evaluation that aims to determine if you are living with a disability in reading, math, or writing. If you are struggling in academic areas despite extra instruction and tutoring; in school, especially in a particular subject; or you are doing academically well but not achieving at your full potential - a learning disability evaluation may be helpful. This testing can highlight your strengths and needs (accommodations) to thrive academically. Learning disability assessments include all or some of the following domains: cognitive functioning (IQ), academic achievement, reading, and associated processes, mathematics and associated processes, writing and associated processes, visual-motor integration, memory and learning, school motivation and learning strategies, socio-emotional and behavioral functioning, motivation, and a brief attention screener. If other concerns are present -- please consider the Comprehensive Psychoeducational Assessment.
Comprehensive Psychoeducational
A comprehensive psychoeducational assessment is a diagnostic evaluation that helps identify your cognitive, academic, socio-emotional, and behavioral strengths, how you learn, and areas that may need more attention and support. This assessment helps elucidate what may be impacting your educational experience and what you may need to thrive academically. This assessment is beneficial for those who have concerns about one's functioning and academic achievement but are unsure as to what may be the underlying cause. This battery will assess for specific learning disorders (including cognitive functioning and academic achievement), school motivation and learning strategies, ADHD and difficulties with executive functioning, visual-motor integration difficulties, memory concerns, and common mood or behavioral disorders.
Intellectual Disabilities
Intellectual developmental disorder (IDD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with onset before age 18 and is characterized by differences in cognitive (IQ) and adaptive functioning (i.e., everyday social and life skills). An intellectual disability evaluation is helpful in accurately determining the care and services your child may need to be successful in age-appropriate settings. A determination of intellectual disability before age 18 is required to help your child qualify for state-supported benefits throughout their lifetime. Intellectual disability assessments include the following domains: cognitive functioning (IQ) and adaptive behavior. A review of medical records (as able) will also be completed.
Autism
Autism assessments aim to be neurodiversity-affirming and strengths-based. The assessment seeks to determine if your child is on the Autism Spectrum. Autism Spectrum may include gifted and twice-exceptional students. This assessment is beneficial for children displaying delays in language and communication skills, unique social skills, or restrictive and repetitive behaviors. Children on the Autism spectrum may present with different levels of functioning, ranging from requiring some support to very substantial support. Autism assessments are helpful to parents seeking formal diagnoses and access to interventions (e.g., Applied Behavioral Analysis, ABA). Additionally, a determination of Autism before age 18 is needed to help your child qualify for state-supported services throughout their lifetime. Autism assessments include the following domains: symptoms, behaviors, associated features of Autism, cognitive functioning (IQ), adaptive behavior, developmental history, and socio-emotional and behavioral functioning. A review of medical records (as able) will also be completed. Autism assessments are available for children and adolescents only.
Psychodiagnostic
A psychodiagnostic evaluation is a diagnostic evaluation that aims to better understand your approach and presentation. In particular, your behavior, mood, and thought process. This assessment is beneficial when there is a recurring and significant concern about your functioning and overall well-being, but the underlying cause remains unknown. The assessment can assess mental status, clarify a diagnosis or emerging character pathology, and provide treatment and planning recommendations. Specific tests will be selected based on each child and what is needed to provide the most accurate diagnosis and treatment recommendations. Psychodiagnostic evaluations are available for children and adolescents only.
Academic and Standardized Accommodations
If you are a student with a disability (e.g., anxiety, Autism, ADHD, Learning Disability), you are entitled to reasonable academic accommodations. This may include a private testing room, extended time on exams, extended breaks, and assistive devices. Academic accommodations on a standardized test (e.g., SAT, ACT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, GMAT, and DAT) often require a comprehensive evaluation completed by a licensed psychologist assessing functional impairments caused by your disability and how specific supports will address these functional limitations.
The Process
Please complete a contact form. Dr. Thamotharan will call you for a brief 15-20 minute phone discussion to gather information about you and your presenting concerns. You will also let her know what type of evaluation you are interested in. Dr. Thamotharan will provide you with *an estimate* of costs, and a diagnostic clinical interview will be scheduled.
A $250 non-refundable assessment preparation fee (which will go toward the total evaluation cost) will be required to secure the date. You will receive information to create and log in to your online patient portal. Vettri Psychological uses Therapy Notes. Through this platform, you can view upcoming appointments and documents and make payments.
Diagnostic Clinical Interview. Before testing, Dr. Thamotharan will conduct a clinical interview to better understand you, your presenting concerns or needs, and your goals for testing. The interview will take approximately 1-1.5 hours. Please arrive 10-15 minutes before your appointment to check in with the receptionist. Dr. Thamotharan will meet you in the waiting room. Please let us know if you require the clinical interview to be remote.
Evaluation. A school observation may be conducted before beginning testing children. You will be taken back for testing during testing sessions. Parents will remain in the waiting room. While waiting, parents will complete questionnaires regarding their child’s cognitive, socio-emotional, behavioral, and/or executive functioning. Once completed, parents may stay or leave until testing is complete. We highly encourage parents of young to elementary-aged children to stay for the entire testing session to provide comfort and encouragement. For middle school thru high school children, the decision to stay depends entirely on your child’s comfort level.
We aim to complete testing in two to five sessions. The testing length depends on you (e.g., age, motivation, speed) and type of evaluation. Testing typically lasts 2-3 hours for young children, 3-4 hours for tweens, and adolescents, and 4-6 hours for young adults.
You will be provided breaks. Please bring snacks, something to drink, and a fun activity you may enjoy. Dr. Thamotharan will have candy, stickers, and small toys to motivate your child. Please inform her during the clinical intake if you are uncomfortable with these external reinforcements.
Feedback Session & Report. This one-hour session will focus on remaining questions, reviewing the testing results, discussing diagnostic considerations, and reviewing treatment recommendations. Feedback sessions are scheduled approximately two to four weeks after the last testing session or when all rater-forms are received. If no edits are required, a report will be provided at the end of the feedback session. If modifications are necessary, a final report will be available one week after the feedback session.