Questions, answered
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers about neuropsychological evaluations — what to expect, how scheduling and cost work, and how findings support school planning. Still unsure? A short consultation is the easiest place to start.
Serving Long Island & Queens, NY
The evaluation
Getting started & who it's for
What are some of the reasons children are referred for a neuropsychological evaluation?
Children and adolescents are usually referred by a parent, doctor, teacher, school psychologist, or other professional for many reasons. An evaluation may be helpful if your child:
- Struggles in school despite good attendance, effort, and attention
- Has reading, writing, or spelling difficulties, or a family history of dyslexia
- Has math difficulties
- Has trouble with attention, behavior, emotional regulation, or social skills
- Has a history of ADHD, autism, or neurological, medical, or developmental concerns
- Experienced early speech, motor, or developmental delays
- Is bright or gifted but not performing as expected
- Has had a brain injury or concussion
- May be gifted and needs proper documentation
- Needs to document current functioning (a “baseline”) or assess progress or change (a re-evaluation or follow-up)
What ages do you work with?
Neuropsychological evaluations are offered for ages 5–20. Therapy services are available for ages 10+ — including preteens, teens, and young adults — depending on the referral question.
How do I know whether my child may need therapy, an evaluation, or both?
That uncertainty is very common and often one of the main reasons families reach out. A consultation can help clarify what type of support may be most appropriate based on your child’s concerns, goals, and current level of functioning.
What if I’m still not sure whether this is the right fit?
That is completely okay. Many families reach out because they know something is not quite adding up, but they are not yet sure what kind of support would be most helpful. A consultation can help talk through your concerns and determine whether moving forward makes sense.
Scheduling & cost
Logistics, location & payment
How do we get started?
The first step is typically a consultation to discuss your concerns, determine fit, and review next steps. Call 516-847-5577 or email drduhning@duhningpsychservices.com — leave a message and Dr. Duhning will get back to you within a few hours.
Where are you located?
Dr. Duhning is conveniently located in Manhasset, NY. Evaluations are conducted in person; therapy is provided via telehealth or in person.
Do you offer virtual or telehealth services?
Evaluations must be completed in person. Therapy can be conducted virtually or in person, whichever works best for your family.
Are services private pay? Do you accept insurance?
Duhning Psychological Services, PLLC is an out-of-network, private-pay provider and does not accept insurance directly. Private pay allows for a more comprehensive, individualized process — deeper diagnostic clarity, tailored recommendations, and a fuller understanding of the whole picture. Many insurance plans offer out-of-network benefits that reimburse for neuropsychological evaluations or psychotherapy, and the practice provides the documentation you need to submit for reimbursement. Coverage varies by plan. A limited number of sliding-scale spots are available for families for whom the standard fee is a hardship.
How long does therapy last?
Treatment is tailored to each individual’s needs, so the length of therapy can vary. In most cases, we meet once a week for 45-minute sessions over the course of several months.
School and results
How testing connects to school
How does a neuropsychological evaluation differ from an evaluation performed in school?
School-based assessments (also known as psychoeducational assessments) are typically performed with one goal in mind: to determine whether a child qualifies for special education programs or related services (speech, OT, PT, counseling). They focus almost exclusively on intellectual and academic skills. Although that is enough for some children, it is not comprehensive enough for most. A neuropsychological evaluation looks at many more areas of functioning — long-term memory and retrieval, verbal fluency, rapid automatic naming, and more in-depth academic assessment. If a school evaluation comes back “average” but you still feel your child is struggling, a neuropsychological evaluation will give you answers. Learn more about the difference between school and private evaluations →
Will a neuropsychological evaluation help with school supports like an IEP or 504 Plan?
A neuropsychological evaluation can provide helpful documentation and recommendations that support the need for school-based services. However, we cannot guarantee that a child will qualify for an IEP or 504 Plan. Eligibility is determined by the school-based team and the parent during a CSE (Committee on Special Education) or 504 meeting, based on a review of multiple sources of data including, but not limited to, our evaluation. We are happy to provide a detailed report and collaborate with your school team as needed.
Ready to talk it through?
If you’re interested in scheduling a free 15-minute phone consultation, please complete the consultation form and Dr. Duhning will get back to you within 48 hours.
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