Question 1

How do I know if it is the right time to get an evaluation?

Accepted Answer

If there are any concerns, or even hints of concerns, on the part of the parent, teacher, and/or student with respect to academics, attention, executive functions, behaviors, socialization, or emotional functioning, then pursuit of a full educational and neuropsychological evaluation is strongly recommended.

Question 2

What records will you want from me related to my child?

Accepted Answer

Please provide information from your child's referral source, all relevant medical and personal records, and all relevant school records. School records include psychological evaluation reports, speech/language, physical therapy or occupational therapy reports, psychoeducational records, individualized education plans, and 504 plans.

Question 3

Do you take insurance? What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Koffman does not participate with insurance, but is committed to assisting clients with the possibility of reimbursement and with pre-certification where required. Fees typically range from $250 for a consultation only to approximately $6,000 for more comprehensive evaluations, based on age, complexity, and records review time. Full details are available on the Fees and Insurance page.

Question 4

How can I get started?

Accepted Answer

To submit a new client inquiry, please complete the form on the contact page. Dr. Koffman will respond within 3 business days.

Question 5

Where are you located and are there other ways to contact you?

Accepted Answer

The practice is located at 460 Bloomfield Ave, Suite 400, Montclair, NJ 07042. You can also reach Dr. Koffman by email at welcome@drkoffman.com or by phone at (973) 908-4860.

Question 6

What is the difference between a neuropsychological evaluation and the testing my child's school provides?

Accepted Answer

A school-based Child Study Team evaluation is designed to determine eligibility for special education services under state criteria, which is a narrower question than what a private neuropsychological evaluation answers. A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation assesses cognitive, academic, behavioral, and emotional functioning together, so the results explain why a child is struggling rather than only whether they qualify for services. Many families pursue private testing when school results feel incomplete or do not match what they see at home.

Question 7

How long does the entire evaluation process take?

Accepted Answer

The process includes a one-hour intake appointment, four to six hours of one-to-one testing depending on age and complexity, and a one-hour feedback session. Testing hours are typically scheduled across one or more days so your child is not overtaxed in a single sitting. A full written report follows the feedback session.

Question 8

Do you evaluate adults, or only children?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Koffman evaluates children, adolescents, and adults. Adult evaluations commonly address attention, organization, memory concerns, mood disorders, and vocational questions, with the battery tailored to the specific referral question. The structure mirrors the child process: an intake session, testing, a verbal feedback session, and a full written report.

Question 9

What happens during the feedback session?

Accepted Answer

The feedback session is an hour-long conversation where Dr. Koffman explains the testing results, any diagnoses, and what they mean in practical terms for school, work, and home. You will have time to ask questions and discuss recommended next steps before the written report is finalized. Families often find this the most useful part of the process.

Question 10

What is included in the written report?

Accepted Answer

The report includes test results, diagnoses where applicable, and highly individualized recommendations tailored to your child's specific profile. It also includes referrals to a professional network of clinical service providers when appropriate, such as learning specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, or legal advocates. The report is written to be usable by schools, physicians, and other providers.

Question 11

Can the report be used to request an IEP or 504 plan?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation provides the diagnostic findings and specific recommendations that schools rely on when considering eligibility for an IEP or a 504 plan. While a school district makes its own eligibility determination, an independent evaluation gives you documented, expert support for the accommodations you are requesting.

Question 12

Will the evaluation support accommodations on the SAT, ACT, or in college?

Accepted Answer

A comprehensive evaluation is the type of documentation that testing agencies and college disability services offices generally require. These organizations typically expect relatively recent testing and clear evidence of a diagnosed condition along with its functional impact, both of which a full neuropsychological report is designed to document. It is helpful to mention this goal at the intake appointment so the evaluation is structured with it in mind.

Question 13

How should I prepare my child for the testing day?

Accepted Answer

Keep the explanation simple and low-pressure: let your child know they will be doing activities and puzzles with a doctor who wants to learn how they think and learn best. Avoid describing it as a test they can pass or fail, since anxiety about performance can affect results. A full night of sleep and a real breakfast make a meaningful difference.

Question 14

Does my child need to miss school for testing?

Accepted Answer

Testing sessions are scheduled to work around your family's needs, and some school time is often involved given that testing runs four to six hours. Morning appointments are frequently preferred because most children are more alert and better able to sustain attention earlier in the day. Schools are generally cooperative when they understand an evaluation is underway.

Question 15

What conditions can a neuropsychological evaluation identify?

Accepted Answer

Evaluations can identify ADHD, autism, learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and nonverbal learning disabilities, oppositional defiant and behavior disorders, and mood disorders including depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder. Testing may also reveal motor or sensory issues, speech and language deficits, and executive functioning or organizational weaknesses. In many cases more than one condition is present, which is one reason comprehensive testing matters.

Question 16

My child was already diagnosed with ADHD. Is testing still worthwhile?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes. An ADHD diagnosis made through a brief screening or checklist does not rule out a co-occurring learning disability, language weakness, or anxiety, all of which can look like inattention. Comprehensive testing clarifies what is actually driving the difficulty so that treatment and school supports target the right issue.

Question 17

When is a school observation part of the evaluation?

Accepted Answer

School observations are conducted in select cases where seeing a child in their actual environment adds meaningful information. An observation can show how a child manages structured versus unstructured time, how they interact with peers and teachers, and how they function in group lessons compared to independent work. Dr. Koffman will let you know during the intake process whether one is warranted.

Question 18

How often should an evaluation be repeated?

Accepted Answer

Re-evaluation is generally considered every two to three years for school-age children, since cognitive and academic profiles change as demands increase. Retesting is also worth considering at major transitions, such as entering middle school, high school, or college, or when accommodation documentation needs to be current. Follow-up evaluations are usually more focused and less extensive than an initial one.

Question 19

Who will have access to my child's evaluation results?

Accepted Answer

The evaluation and report are confidential and released only with your written authorization. Most families choose to share the report with their child's school, pediatrician, or treating providers, and Dr. Koffman can advise on what is useful to share in each setting. You control where the report goes.

Question 20

What areas do you serve?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Koffman's practice is located at 460 Bloomfield Ave, Suite 400 in Montclair, New Jersey, and serves families throughout Essex County and the surrounding northern New Jersey area. Families regularly travel from Montclair, Glen Ridge, Bloomfield, Verona, Caldwell, Livingston, Millburn, Maplewood, and South Orange. New inquiries can be submitted through the contact form and receive a response within three business days.

Question 21

What is the difference between a psychoeducational and a neuropsychological evaluation?

Accepted Answer

A psychoeducational evaluation focuses primarily on intelligence and academic achievement to identify learning disabilities, while a neuropsychological evaluation examines the underlying brain-based processes that support learning. In addition to IQ and academics, neuropsychological testing assesses processing speed, language, visuospatial functions, memory, attention, executive functioning, and emotional functioning. That broader scope is what allows the report to explain the mechanism behind a child's difficulty, not just its academic result.

Question 22

Does Dr. Koffman provide therapy or tutoring after the evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Dr. Koffman's practice is dedicated to evaluation rather than ongoing treatment, which keeps the assessment process objective. Every report concludes with individualized recommendations and referrals to an established professional network, including learning specialists, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists, and educational advocates. The goal is for families to leave with a clear plan and the right providers to carry it out.

Question 23

Does Dr. Koffman prescribe medication?

Accepted Answer

No. As a neuropsychologist, Dr. Koffman does not prescribe medication, though the evaluation provides the diagnostic clarity a prescribing physician needs. When medication is worth considering, the report includes a referral to a psychiatrist, neurologist, or your child's pediatrician, along with findings they can use to guide that decision.

Question 24

Can an evaluation identify a gifted or twice-exceptional learner?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Because testing measures intelligence, academic achievement, and processing abilities separately, it can reveal a child with strong cognitive ability whose learning disability, ADHD, or anxiety masks that potential. These twice-exceptional profiles are frequently missed in school settings, where high performance can hide real struggle and a bright child is described as unmotivated rather than unsupported.

Question 25

What happens if the testing does not result in a diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

A clear result is still a valuable one. When testing does not identify a disorder, the report documents your child's cognitive and academic profile, ruling out the concerns that prompted the referral and often pointing to other factors worth addressing, such as instructional fit, sleep, stress, or environmental demands. Recommendations are provided in every case, regardless of whether a diagnosis is made.

Question 26

Should my child take their ADHD medication on the day of testing?

Accepted Answer

This is decided case by case, in consultation with Dr. Koffman and your child's prescribing physician. The right approach depends on the referral question, since sometimes testing on medication gives the most accurate picture of daily functioning and sometimes an unmedicated baseline is more informative. Raise it at the intake appointment so a plan is in place well before the testing date.

Question 27

We already have an evaluation from another provider. Is a second opinion worth pursuing?

Accepted Answer

Often, yes, particularly when the previous report was narrow in scope, is several years old, or produced findings that do not match what you observe at home and school. A comprehensive re-evaluation can confirm earlier conclusions, identify conditions that were missed, or update recommendations for a child whose demands have changed. Bringing the prior report to the intake appointment helps focus the new evaluation on the unresolved questions.

Question 28

My child is anxious about being tested. How is that handled?

Accepted Answer

Testing is conducted one-to-one in a calm, unhurried setting, with breaks built into the day. Dr. Koffman spends time establishing rapport before formal testing begins, and most children settle in quickly once they realize the activities are not graded. If anxiety is a significant concern, mention it at intake so the schedule and pacing can be adjusted.

Question 29

How do you decide which tests to administer?

Accepted Answer

The battery is individually tailored to each patient rather than drawn from a fixed list. Test selection follows from the referral question, the individual's age and grade, the history gathered at intake, and the records provided, and it can be adjusted mid-process if early results point in an unexpected direction. This is why the intake appointment and your records matter so much to the quality of the outcome.

Question 30

Can the evaluation be used for a private school application or placement decision?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Independent schools frequently request current testing when a student has a documented learning difference or is applying for accommodations, and a comprehensive report gives admissions and learning support staff the detail they need. Let Dr. Koffman know at intake if an application deadline is driving your timeline.

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions