Frequently Asked Questions
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Do you offer in-person sessions?
Yes! We have in-person, hybrid, and virtual options available for both evaluation and therapy services.
Please reach out today to schedule your free consultation call.
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Does Coast Psychology provide therapy?
Yes! Coast Psychology provides therapy to kids, teens, and adults. We specialize in the treatment of anxiety and in supporting parents as well. Therapy can be provided virtually or in our Glen Cove office.
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How do I get my child tested for ADHD?
Comprehensive evaluations at Coast Psychology can help identify whether or not your child meets diagnostic criteria for ADHD. We look at a number of different sources of data in making this determination including cognitive abilities, behavior observations, executive functioning, and the perspectives of your child and the adults in their life.
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What types of evaluations does Coast Psychology provide?
Coast Psychology provides various psychological assessment packages including comprehensive evaluations, psychoeducational evaluations, IQ testing, and supplemental assessment.
Please visit the “Services” page to learn more. You may also contact us directly to set up a free consultation call to better determine how our services may benefit you or your child.
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How long is an evaluation?
Testing is usually completed across 1 to 3 half-day session(s) depending on your needs or the needs of your child. Feedback on the results, along with a written report, is typically provided within one month of the final testing session.
The entire testing process, including when you receive the results, takes about a month. Evaluations are scheduled on a first-come, first-served basis.
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What ages do you work with?
For evaluations, Coast Psychology is able to assist children, adolescents, and adults. At a minimum, children must be at least 4 years old at the time of testing, however, this threshold varies depending on your presenting concerns.
The testing process may be longer or shorter due to a number of different factors including you or your child’s age and needs at the time of service. Please reach out to schedule your initial consultation to learn more.
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Do you take my insurance?
Coast Psychology is a fee-for-service practice which does not accept insurance payment for services. Some insurance providers may accept our services out-of-network (OON), but it is you - not your insurance provider - who is responsible for full payment.
Coast Psychology does not submit insurance claims directly, but we currently partner with a platform that can help you obtain reimbursement if you have OON benefits. Should you decide to file a claim for reimbursement associated with our services, please know we would be happy to provide you with a superbill for submission.
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What is a comprehensive evaluation?
A comprehensive evaluation helps develop an in-depth, well-rounded understanding of your child and their needs. Coast Psychology examines a variety of skill areas including cognitive, academic, emotional, and behavioral domains while providing diagnostic clarification. Some common diagnoses that can be provided through our comprehensive evaluations are Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities (Specific Learning Disorders such as Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia), and other health impairments such as Generalized Anxiety Disorder or Major Depressive Disorder.
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How do I get my child an IEP?
An Individualized Educational Plan (IEP) is a document provided by your child's school. Participating in a psychological evaluation is often the first step in delineating your child's needs. However, psychological reports do not guarantee that your child will receive an IEP. Coast Psychology provides a report with each evaluation that can be submitted to your child's school. Whether or not your child receives an IEP is later determined through a formal meeting between you and your school's Committee on Special Education (CSE). Coast Psychology is unique from most other testing practices locally as we have specialized training in designing and providing school-based interventions as well as direct experience serving on CSEs on behalf of both public and private schools.
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How do I get my child tested for a learning disability?
Coast Psychology offers comprehensive evaluations to diagnose learning disabilities in children, teens, and adults. All children over the age of 3 are entitled to a free evaluation provided through their home school district. You must contact the special education department of your local district to initiate this referral process. School-based evaluations can broadly identify areas of strengths and weakness but will not provide a clinical diagnosis. Coast Psychology's services differ in that they are typically more comprehensive than the reports your school will provide. We are also able to provide a diagnosis within our reports should a diagnosis emerge throughout the testing process.
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How do I get an IQ test?
Coast Psychology offers IQ testing for children, teens, and adults. We are able to provide IQ testing as a standalone service and provide multi-dimensional evaluations of giftedness which include IQ testing. All comprehensive evaluations include IQ testing as well. If you suspect your child may have an intellectual impairment, your child's school may also be able to provide IQ testing at no cost.
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How do I get my child tested for Dyslexia?
Comprehensive evaluations test for learning disorders ("learning disabilities") such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia in children, teens, and adults. Coast Psychology offers comprehensive evaluations for Dyslexia.
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What is a learning disability?
A learning disability is a neurological condition that affects the way individuals process and acquire information. It can impact a person's ability to read, write, speak, listen, understand mathematics, and/or organize information. Learning disabilities are not related to intelligence but rather to differences in how the brain functions. They can vary in severity and may require specific teaching strategies or accommodations to support learning and academic success.
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Does Coast Psychology share information with my child's school?
The evaluation process is entirely confidential, with parents being the owners of their child’s medical records. With your express written consent, we would be happy to include your child’s teachers throughout the testing process to get a better sense of your child’s functioning while at school, enriching the findings of our evaluation.
After you receive the written report, we encourage you to share it with your child’s school directly without our involvement. We are also available to present the results of this report at CSE meetings at an additional hourly rate.
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How do I know if my child needs an assessment?
If you have concerns about your child's learning, it may be appropriate to consider an assessment. Here are some signs that could indicate the need for an assessment:
1. Academic struggles: If your child consistently struggles with reading, writing, math, or other academic subjects despite appropriate instruction and support.
2. Persistent difficulties: If your child's difficulties persist over time and are significantly below their peers' level of progress academically, intellectually, behaviorally, socially, or emotionally.
3. Attention and concentration issues: If your child has difficulty staying focused, paying attention, or completing tasks.
4. Behavioral or emotional challenges: If your child experiences behavioral or emotional challenges that affect their well-being, academic progress, or social interactions.
5. Discrepancy between abilities and performance: If your child's intellectual abilities seem to be higher than their behavioral or academic performance suggests.
6. Concerns from teachers: If your child's teachers express concerns about their learning, behavior, or notice significant discrepancies between their abilities and performance.
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How do I get my child tested for anxiety?
If you're concerned about your child's anxiety, it's best to consult with a healthcare professional, such as a pediatrician or child psychologist. By conducting a clinical assessment, Coast Psychology can evaluate your child's symptoms and provide guidance on the appropriate steps to take to help manage your child’s anxiety. Early intervention can make a difference, so seeking professional help is a great first step.
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How do I get my child extra time on tests?
If you believe your child needs extra time on tests due to a learning or attention difficulty, there are several steps you can take:
1. Communicate with your school: Reach out to your child's teacher, counselor, or school administrator to discuss your concerns and request accommodations. Provide any relevant documentation, such as a diagnosis or evaluation report, to support your request.
2. Request an evaluation: If your child hasn't been formally evaluated for learning or attention difficulties, you can request an evaluation from the school. This process typically involves assessments by professionals to determine if your child qualifies for accommodations. Your school may or may not grant this request depending on a number of factors. Regardless of the determination, Coast Psychology is happy to provide evaluation services privately.
3. Develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 plan: Depending on your child's needs, the school may develop an IEP or a 504 plan, which outlines specific accommodations, including extra time on tests. These plans are tailored to address your child's individual challenges and ensure they receive the support they need.
4. Advocate for your child: Stay involved in the process and advocate for your child's needs. Attend meetings, provide input, and ensure that the agreed-upon accommodations are being implemented effectively.
Remember, the specific process and requirements may vary depending on your location and the educational system in place. It's best to consult with your child's school to understand their specific procedures and guidelines for requesting accommodations.
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What is supplemental testing?
Supplemental testing is an evaluation that builds off of an existing psychoeducationl evaluation conducted within the last year. It is a cost-effective approach to receiving the benefits of a comprehensive evaluation as there is less testing time required. Typically, existing reports which can be supplemented are conducted by your child’s school district or through another provider. Supplemental testing through Coast Psychology can provide you with a second opinion and a deeper understanding of your child along with tailored intervention recommendations.
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What other services does Coast Psychology provide?
Coast Psychology offers speaking engagements, trainings, and workshops. Previous topics have included social-emotional learning, building inclusive school communities, embracing neurodiversity, supporting LGBTQIA+ kids, self-care, unpacking identity, universal design for learning (UDL), user experience (UX) research and design, vaping, and fostering healthy development. Coast Psychology also offers consultation services and data-driven program evaluations. Please visit our “Consulting” page to learn more.
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What sorts of conditions can your evaluations test for?
Coast Psychology provides comprehensive evaluations that will closely examine your child’s cognitive, academic, behavioral, social, and emotional development to identify areas of strength and weakness. These findings then help formulate an individualized set of recommendations to help your child capitalize on their strengths while remediating areas of challenge. At Coast Psychology, we commonly assess for ADHD, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, Autism, giftedness, twice exceptionality (2e), and mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression.