Getting An Evaluation and Care Plan, If Needed
Getting an evaluation for your child is a key step in understanding their needs and finding the right support. Here’s a guide on how to seek an assessment and what types of assessments might be recommended.
- Talk to Your Child’s Doctor. Start by sharing your concerns with your pediatrician or family doctor. They can give you initial advice and may refer you to specialists if needed. Your doctor can connect you with child psychologists, psychiatrists, or other mental health professionals who focus on behavioral health.
- Check with Your Insurance. Before setting up an assessment, contact your insurance provider to find out what mental health services are covered. Make sure to check which providers are in-network or out-of-network to avoid unexpected costs.
- Find a Behavioral Health Professional
- Child Psychologist: Specializes in evaluating and treating emotional and behavioral issues through therapy.
- Child Psychiatrist or Pediatric Nurse Practitioner: These professionals can diagnose behavioral health conditions and prescribe medication if necessary.
- Mental Health Therapist: Provides therapy and assessments related to behavioral health. This includes Licensed Independent Clinical Social Workers (LICSWs), Licensed Clinical Social Workers (LCSWs), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapists (LMFTs), and Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHCs).
- School Counselor or Psychologist: Many schools have counselors or psychologists who can offer initial assessments and support.
- Explore Local Behavioral Health Resources
- Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics: These centers provide care for anyone needing behavioral health support, regardless of their ability to pay, where they live, or their age. They also offer care that is appropriate for children and teens.
- Child and Family Service Providers: Local organizations like Child and Family Newport and Children's Friend can help, as well as Community Action Program (CAP) agencies.
- Early Intervention Program. Rhode Island’s Early Intervention Program helps infants and toddlers who have developmental disabilities or delays in areas like speech, physical ability, or social skills. If your child qualifies, they will receive a full developmental evaluation. One goal of this program is to support families so that their children can reach their full potential. Services are provided where children usually play or participate in daily activities. You can learn more about this program at Rhode Island Early Intervention.
By following these steps, you can ensure your child receives the right evaluation and support tailored to their specific needs.
- Clinical Interviews
- Purpose: To gather information about your child’s behavior, emotions, and development through conversations.
- Conducted by: Child psychologists, psychiatrists, or therapists.
- Behavioral Observations
- Purpose: To watch and assess your child’s behavior in different settings like home or school.
- Conducted by: School psychologists or therapists during therapy sessions.
- Psychological and Neuropsychological Testing
- Purpose: To evaluate cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning using standardized tests.
- Types: May include intelligence tests, personality assessments, and tests for conditions like ADHD or autism.
- Conducted by: Clinical psychologists or neuropsychologists.
- Developmental and Medical Evaluations
- Purpose: To see if developmental delays or medical conditions are affecting behavior.
- Conducted by: Developmental pediatricians or child neurologists along with behavioral health professionals.
- Rating Scales and Questionnaires
- Purpose: To gather information about behavior from parents, teachers, and sometimes the child, using standardized forms.
- Examples: Conners’ Rating Scales for ADHD, Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL).
- Administered by: Various behavioral health professionals.
- Initial Consultation: You’ll talk about your concerns, share background information, and go over any relevant history.
- Evaluation Sessions: The assessment might include several sessions, such as interviews, observations, and tests.
- Feedback: After the assessment, the clinician will summarize the findings, discuss possible diagnoses, and talk about treatment options and recommendations.
- Be Patient: Assessments can take time, so it’s important to be patient throughout the process.
- Don’t Wait to Schedule: If you need an appointment, schedule it as soon as possible. There can be long waits for providers, so ask if you can be added to a cancellation list, or look for another provider if the wait is too long.
- Stay Involved: Be an active participant in the assessment by providing accurate information and asking questions.
- Follow Recommendations: After the assessment, make sure to follow through on any recommended treatment, therapy, or further evaluation.
Taking these steps will help ensure that your child gets a complete and accurate assessment of their behavioral health, leading to the right support and interventions.