Investment
The autism evaluation can be costly due to the specialized and evidence-based tools used during the evaluation process. The truth is autism evaluations take a lot of time to do well. With the goal of understanding unique individuals and circumstances and providing families clarification that they came for; the evaluation process cannot afford to be rushed in an assembly line fashion.
At this time, Dr. Zarei is accepting Cigna, Aetna, Optum, United Healthcare, and Tricare insurances, and private pay. If you plan to pay privately, Dr. Zarei can provide you with an invoice to provide to your insurance for reimbursement upon request. The following forms of payment are accepted: Credit/debit, cash, check, and Zelle. Contact Dr. Zarei regarding limited availability for accessing sliding scale fees based on your income.
All clients are required to pay a $200 non-refundable administrative fee prior to booking the first appointment (clinical interview). Private pay evaluations are charged at a flat rate based on the client’s age (see drop-down menu below). 50% of the evaluation cost is collected after the clinical interview and the remaining 50% of the evaluation cost is collected after the testing session. The quoted total fee in the drop-down menu below may need to be adjusted after the Clinical Interview if it is determined that additional testing is needed or if the case is particularly complex. Any additional fees will be clearly communicated with the caregiver prior to moving forward with the evaluation process. This flexibility allows for a customized evaluation that is aligned with each child’s unique needs and to plan adequate time for the evaluation. By choosing to charge out of pocket, clients and their caregivers have a greater voice in how they will utilize the test results and can avoid any surprise charges from insurance companies.
*Cancelling or missing any evaluation appointment with less than 24-hour notice will result in a $225 cancellation fee.
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Evaluations for this age range cost $1,500 (including the $200 non-refundable administrative fee). This includes the clinical interview, records review, testing, scoring, interpretation, report writing, and feedback.
*Some of these tasks involve the caregiver and/or their child, and some are completed by Dr. Z without the caregiver and/or client present.
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Evaluations for this age range cost $1,750 (including the $200 non-refundable administrative fee). This includes the clinical interview, records review, testing, scoring, interpretation, report writing, and feedback.
*Some of these tasks involve the caregiver and/or their child, and some are completed by Dr. Z without the caregiver and/or client present.
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Evaluations for this age range cost $2,000 (including the $200 non-refundable administrative fee). This includes the clinical interview, records review, testing, scoring, interpretation, report writing, and feedback.
*Some of these tasks involve the caregiver and/or their child, and some are completed by Dr. Z without the caregiver and/or client present.
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Evaluations for this age range cost $2,250 (including the $200 non-refundable administrative fee). This includes the clinical interview, records review, testing, scoring, interpretation, report writing, and feedback.
*Some of these tasks involve the client, and some are completed by Dr. Z without the client present.
Why Go Through the Process?
Psychological evaluations provide helpful information about an individual and provide insight into why they are experiencing challenging difficulties at home, school, work, or with peers. The evaluation process informs others who interact with the individual how to provide optimal support. Test results may bolster evidence of need for educational support such as, Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plans.
Autism spectrum disorder can be diagnosed in children as early as 18-24 months of age. Health care professionals, such as pediatricians, might administer a version of the Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers, Revised (M-CHAT-R) during a well-child visit. The M-CHAT-R is valid for screening toddlers between 16 and 30 months of age, to assess risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A high score suggests diagnostic assessment would be beneficial to follow up regarding the reported symptoms. Earlier interventions have been shown to be highly beneficial, but an individual at any age can benefit from diagnosis and supports that help them in becoming their best selves.
Diagnostic clarification allows for a person to be better understood and supported. The evaluation process not only determines whether the individual meets criteria for ASD or ADHD, but it provides a profile of the individual’s cognitive, social, and emotional strengths and growth areas. Test results can serve as a baseline comparison for future test results. If an individual meets criteria for ASD, the outcome of the evaluation process results in a medical diagnosis. Having a medical diagnosis of autism can be helpful in accessing school accommodations, such as an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 Plan, and disability supports in general. Discovering that you or a loved one meets criteria for autism can be a validating experience. A benefit of a private autism evaluation is the individual or caregiver gets to decide how to use the information they receive and with whom, if anyone, they want to share the information with.
