What is an assessment, and how does it help my child?
An assessment (also called an evaluation) can help parents and educators make informed decisions about a child’s educational and/or social-emotional well-being. Assessments provide a profile to assist with identifying specific areas of strengths and challenges by testing areas such as a child’s IQ/cognitive reasoning, academic achievement, processing (speed, visual, auditory, memory, language), attention, social-emotional functioning, and/or screening for fine motor / sensory difficulties.
Why test?
Families may choose to have their child evaluated for a variety of reasons such as:
What is the difference between the services Dr. Gutow offers and what is provided in public schools?
Dr. Gutow is able to delve more deeply into a child’s strengths and weaknesses and therefore is able to provide a more comprehensive profile of your child’s learning styles and needs, as well as any social or emotional influences. Dr. Gutow is not just a diagnostician but as a clinical psychologist with expertise in school neuropsychology, she can paint a picture of your child’s overall functioning that will help you, your child, and the school better understand how your child is currently experiencing the world. By not taking insurance and by working outside of school districts, Dr. Gutow is able to make clinical decisions about which tests to use that are most relevant to your child’s needs and can develop targeted recommendations for intervention.
How old should my child be before s/he can be evaluated?
Dr. Gutow assesses children and youth aged 5 to 25.
How do I schedule my first appointment?
Call or email Dr. Gutow and she will talk with you to ensure you are a good fit for her services, review financial and office policies, and then schedule the appointment directly with you. She can be reached at (505) 398-3624 or drgutow@greatmindsnm.com
How long is the wait for scheduling an appointment for a new client?
Dr. Gutow can typically schedule an initial intake meeting within 2 to 3 weeks.
Does Dr. Gutow offer after school, evening, or weekend appointments?
At this point, Dr. Gutow only sees clients during school hours. Test results are likely to be a better representation of your child’s abilities when s/he is well rested and able to give his/her best effort.
What if my spouse and I are divorced or separated and I want my child to be evaluated?
If you have joint custody, then both parents are required to sign the Services Agreement and complete the Client Registration Form and any additional forms related to parenting/behavior at home.
What should I bring to the initial intake session?
Please provide Dr. Gutow with copies of any prior assessments and documentation of diagnoses and treatment, if available. In addition, please bring the Client Registration Form form and signed Services Agreement to your first meeting.
What does my child need for the testing sessions?
Please make sure your child is well rested and has eaten before coming to the testing sessions. Snacks and a water bottle are also recommended, as we will take breaks throughout the testing periods. All medications should be taken as usual with the exception of children taking medication for difficulties with attention and/or hyperactivity. Please discuss this with Dr. Gutow during your intake session so you can be properly advised.
When is payment due?
50% payment is due on the first day of testing and the remaining 50% is due on the second day of testing. Payment may be made by check, Mastercard, or Visa.
What should I tell my child about the testing?
It is recommended that you tell your child that s/he will be working with Dr. Gutow to see how s/he learns and to provide ways to help teachers, parents, and/or the child. Many of the test materials will seem familiar to students (e.g., reading sentences, puzzles) and most students report enjoying the testing sessions.
Why is more than one testing appointment required?
The testing is designed to assess your child’s abilities. Some children find the work to be tiring as it can be intellectually challenging. Dr. Gutow’s goal is to get a snapshot view of your child’s best effort and capacity, and has found that children usually perform best when the information is presented in fairly short intervals.
Does the parent need to be present during testing?
Parents are welcome to wait for their child, but do not accompany their child into the testing room.
Does the child attend the initial intake meeting or feedback session?
Not unless they are 18 or older. If desired, a meeting can be arranged with Dr. Gutow and your child to discuss the results after the parent feedback meeting.
Does Dr. Gutow provide counseling?
Not at this time. Referrals can be provided for various interventions, including counseling.
Dr. Gutow is a Licensed Psychologist and a Licensed School Psychologist with a broad background in teaching and providing assessment, therapy and consultation services.