ACT Neurodevelopmental Services

Frequently Asked Questions

How might a neuropsychological assessment help my child?

During a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, your family is provided with the unique opportunity to work with a specialist who takes an in-depth approach to understanding your child. Many other types of assessments, including school-based evaluations, tend to be much more limited in their scope. In contrast, pediatric neuropsychologists consider how your child’s current presentation may be affected by the complex interactions between your child’s individual cognitive profile, environmental factors (including home, school, and social), emotional functioning, and physical health/medical conditions. This information is used to:

  • Help your family, school, and other providers develop a more thorough understanding of your child
  • Explain why your child may be experiencing specific challenges
  • Give you the confidence and knowledge necessary to enhance their strengths, navigate obstacles, and set them up for lasting success
  • Clarify specific diagnoses that can help others better understand your child’s needs and open up avenues for targeted interventions/services
  • Identify specific supports that can help your child succeed, such as detailed recommendations for school services, community-based interventions, techniques parents can use at home, and additional resources for families
  • Assist families in prioritizing services and supports so that they are able to spend their time and energy on those recommendations that are expected to offer the greatest benefit
  • Provide families with detailed, written documentation that may be needed for your child to be found eligible for certain school- or community-based services or standardized testing accommodations
What are some common reasons families seek out a neuropsychological evaluation?

A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation provides an in-depth look into your child’s cognitive, academic, and social-emotional strengths, as well as areas of vulnerability that have the potential to interfere with their success. This knowledge can be helpful for any family to bolster their child’s development.

The most common reasons families seek out a neuropsychological evaluation include:

  • Difficulties with academic progress
  • Variable attention
  • Trouble with task efficiency, such as planning, organization, and time management
  • Behavioral concerns, including impulsive and/or oppositional/defiant behaviors
  • Emotional concerns, such as emotional dysregulation, anxiety, and/or depressed mood
  • Social concerns
  • Other developmental concerns, such as speech, language, and/or motor difficulties or the presence of repetitive behaviors
  • Current or previous medical diagnoses that can impact a child’s neurodevelopment and/or daily functioning, such as preterm birth, concussions or other brain injuries, epilepsy/seizure disorder, chronic pain, and/or hematology/oncology conditions
  • Concern that current school services may not be meeting a child’s needs
  • Gifted/talented assessments
  • Testing for private school admission
  • Second opinions related to evaluations conducted by an outside provider


Families may also present with questions about specific diagnoses, such as:

  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and Social Communication Disorder
  • Specific Learning Disorder, including Dyslexia
  • Anxiety, Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD), and Depression
  • Language Disorder
  • Dyspraxia, or Developmental Coordination Disorder
  • Behavioral disorders, such as Oppositional Defiant Disorder
  • Post-Concussive Syndrome
What is the appointment process for a neuropsychological evaluation?
  1. Contact our office to schedule a no-charge, 15-minute phone consultation appointment to determine if we may be a good fit for your needs and schedule an evaluation.
  2. Complete all required history and consent forms and send in copies of paperwork (your child’s IEP or 504 Plan, previous evaluations, relevant medical records, etc.) that may be helpful for us to review.
  3. Attend a 60-minute telehealth appointment (parents/guardians only) with your child’s neuropsychologist to thoroughly review their developmental history and current concerns. This appointment, along with your completed paperwork, will help your provider tailor the assessment to your needs. The goal is to address the specific questions you’d like the evaluation to answer, as well as to inform an individualized action plan that can bolster your child’s success.
  4. During the evaluation session(s), your child will work directly with their neuropsychologist. They will complete a mixture of paper-and-pencil, interactive, and computerized tasks. These assess a broad range of cognitive, social-emotional, and academic skills. The assessment is typically completed over the course of one school day, with breaks scheduled throughout the day. However, the evaluation can be broken down into multiple sessions when needed. During this time, parents will fill out any additional questionnaires about their child’s day-to-day functioning.
  5. With your consent, additional information will be collected from teachers and other providers as appropriate.
  6. We will meet for a 60-minute telehealth feedback appointment to discuss the results of your child’s neuropsychological evaluation and recommendations for next steps. During this time, we’ll work together to ensure that you feel empowered to move forward with your child’s action plan. We’ll discuss steps you can take to continue advocating for their success. This appointment typically occurs around 2 weeks after the date of testing, after all necessary forms have been returned. It is recommended that all parents/guardians attend the feedback session. Older adolescents are also invited to attend as appropriate.
  7. Your family will be provided with a comprehensive written report within 2-4 weeks of your feedback appointment.
Will insurance cover the cost of my child’s evaluation?

We conduct comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations. Our focus is on helping your family, school, and other providers better understand your child and the steps that can be taken to best support their success. Your insurance company may fully or partially cover the portion of your child’s evaluation that they consider “medically necessary.” All other services are billed out-of-pocket.

We are an in-network provider with Blue Cross Blue Shield (BCBS). For families with other insurance plans, you may choose to seek reimbursement for out-of-network services directly from your insurance carrier. 

What is the payment process?

Before beginning any service, we will provide you with a good faith estimate of costs, consistent with the federal “No Surprises Act.” Payment is due on the day of your evaluation. We accept checks, credit/debit cards, and HSA (Health Savings Account) and FSA (Flexible Spending Account) cards. Payment plans are available upon request.

Which communities do you serve?

We are located in the heart of Westwood, Massachusetts, but families visit us from across New England. We predominantly work with clients from Westwood and the Greater Boston area (including Arlington, Ashland, Avon, Belmont, Braintree, Brookline, Canton, Dedham, Dover, Easton, Foxborough, Framingham, Franklin, Holbrook, Holliston, Hopkinton, Lexington, Lincoln, Mansfield, Marlborough, Medfield, Medway, Milford, Millis, Milton, Natick, Needham, Newton, Norfolk, Norwood, Plainville, Quincy, Randolph, Sharon, Sherborn, Southborough, Stoughton, Sudbury, Walpole, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, Weston, Weymouth, and Wrentham), the Greater Providence area, and southern New Hampshire.