Answers to Your Most Common Questions
Navigating the world of neurodevelopmental evaluations and behavioral support can feel confusing — especially when you’re in the middle of it. We’ve collected the questions we hear most often and answered them here. If you don’t see your question, please call us.
Do I need a referral to schedule an evaluation?
No. You do not need a referral from a doctor or school to contact us and begin the evaluation process. You can call us directly to learn more and discuss whether our services are a good fit.
How long does an evaluation take?
The length varies depending on the type of evaluation and the individual’s age and needs. Most comprehensive evaluations involve 2–4 hours of direct testing, spread across one or more sessions. We’ll give you a clearer timeline during your initial call.
What does my child need to bring? How should we prepare?
We’ll give you specific preparation guidance before your appointment. In general, children should be rested and, if possible, fed. Bringing a comfort item or toy for younger children can be helpful. We aim to make the experience as positive and low-stress as possible.
What happens after the evaluation?
After we score and interpret all the measures, we write a comprehensive psychological report. We then schedule a feedback session to review the findings with you in plain language, answer your questions, and walk through our recommendations and next steps.
Will my child be diagnosed at the evaluation?
If the evaluation findings meet criteria for a diagnosis, we will provide that diagnosis in the report and explain it fully during the feedback session. Not all evaluations result in a diagnosis. Sometimes the goal is to better understand a person’s profile even if they don’t meet criteria for a specific condition.
What is ABA and is it neurodiversity affirming?
Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific framework for understanding and changing behavior. At our practice, we use ABA principles in a neurodiversity-affirming way. The goal is never to make a person ‘appear neurotypical,’ but to address behaviors that create safety risks or significant barriers to quality of life, while celebrating and building on individual strengths.
Do you work with individuals who have significant support needs?
Yes. Dr. Martins has specialized experience working with autistic individuals and those with intellectual disability who have significant behavioral needs — including behaviors that challenge caregivers and can create safety risks. This population is a primary focus of our practice.
Do you offer ABA therapy directly, or is this consultation?
CONFIRM WITH DR. MARTINS: Please clarify the scope of direct behavioral services vs. consultation to ensure this FAQ answer is accurate before publishing.
Still Have Questions?
Call us and we’ll answer whatever’s on your mind — no pressure, no commitment.