FAQs

How much does an evaluation cost?

A comprehensive evaluation has a base fee of $2200. (This fee will increase to $2300 beginning in March 2025.) The cost may fluctuate minimally depending on the needs of each client. An evaluation includes a parent interview, assessment session(s) with your child, administration and scoring of multi-informant rating scales, and a reporting conference to discuss the results and recommendations. A detailed report will also be given to families.

Will insurance cover the cost of the assessment?

Dr. Kirk is a fee for service provider and does not take insurance. (Often, psychoeducational evaluations are not covered by insurance because the services, which are academic/educational in scope, are typically not considered medically necessary. However, an itemized bill with appropriate billing codes can be provided upon request if a family wants to seek reimbursement through their insurance provider. Families are responsible for contacting their insurance carrier to discuss the reimbursement process.)

Does Dr. Kirk have a wait list?

Availability varies throughout the year depending on demand. If you have particular dates in mind, contact Dr. Kirk through the Inquiry button (top right corner of the website), by email, or by phone.

How long does it take to get results?

Dr. Kirk aims to have a reporting conference scheduled and written report ready within four to six weeks after the final day of assessment with the child. However, if paperwork or rating scales from parents and/or teachers are not returned, this process can take longer. Additionally, some students with extensive concerns or history of supports and services may also take more time. Dr. Kirk can talk to families about initial results prior to the final report being ready if needed.

How should I prepare for an evaluation?

When you schedule, you will be asked to complete paperwork through an online portal. Completion of this paperwork is necessary (e.g., providing consent for the evaluation) as well as helpful (e.g., providing background information on your child). Often, teachers and parents are asked to complete rating scales to provide further information about the child so that Dr. Kirk receives insight into the child’s daily functioning. If your child has had any previous testing (e.g., a past psychoeducational evaluation, a screening test at school, previous speech/language or occupational therapy evaluations), please provide copies of these to Dr. Kirk.

Your child should attend the evaluation sessions feeling well-rested and well-nourished. Dr. Kirk recommends that snacks and water be brought to the sessions. If your child takes medication on a daily basis, he/she should also take that medication on the day of the evaluation. If your child wears glasses/contacts or hearing devices, please ensure that they are used during the session.

Does Dr. Kirk assess for Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD)?

At this time, Dr .Kirk is not assessing students who are seeking diagnoses of ASD.

What is the difference in a private assessment and an assessment from the public school system?

School systems often assess students only in the suspected areas of weakness. Likely, the assessment conducted by the school system would not be as thorough and would focus on the suspected weakness. Furthermore, school districts will not diagnose any disabilities. They will, instead, determine eligibility according to the Tennessee Department of Education criteria for disability categories. For more information about private versus school assessments, check out this article.