To Gain Access to Appropriate Accommodations and Public Services

Currently, a formal diagnosis with an assessment to document how and why this diagnosis was given is required to qualify for many school-based accommodations (e.g., 504 Plans and IEPs) and testing accommodations (e.g., extended time on the S.A.T.). Furthermore, many community-based services require a formally-documented diagnosis to qualify for public services. For example, the TEACCH Autism centers throughout the state of North Carolina only offer therapeutic services to individuals who have previously received a diagnostic report confirming this diagnosis.

A formal assessment is also required to apply for early Kindergarten entry.

To Gain Clarity for Yourself and Treatment Team

It is understandably frustrating and confusing to hear multiple mixed messages and recommendations from various treatment providers. The following are good indications that an assessment would be beneficial:

• You have received different diagnoses from many different providers
• You have received >5 diagnoses and wonder if there is an underlying concern that explains your difficulties more simply
• You have received a diagnosis you don't understand or don't agree with
• There is significant disagreement between caregivers, providers, or school staff about what is going on with a youth and the best way to support them
• You or your treatment providers suspect you may be neurodivergent
• You have been recommended to various forms of treatments and feel unclear on how to proceed.

In our experience, an assessment in these scenarios can be incredibly helpful in gathering multiple perspectives as sources of data and creating a cohesive understanding of what is going on and the best options forward. These assessments often involve your assessor closely reviewing all previous reports, treatment summaries, speaking with outside providers, and working to make sense of what unfolded to get an individual to the current moment. A formal report can be very useful in moving forward by creating a clear and consistent narrative and efficient way to get you and your treatment providers on the same page. In these situations, we often find an assessment can be cost-saving in preventing individuals from pursuing treatment recommendations that are unlikely to be effective.

To Understand Why You Feel Stuck and Identify Paths Forward

When you or your loved one have been engaged in various forms of mental health treatment for a while and are not seeing meaningful progress, an assessment can be a very helpful tool in getting unstuck. In our experience, we often find that a thorough assessment reveals a core piece of the puzzle that has been previously missed. This may be a form of neurodivergence, a formal diagnosis, or an underlying challenge, such as the desire to overcontrol one’s experience. Through the assessment process, we can help identify any missing pieces, help you understand why these are keeping you from progressing, and recommend solutions for moving forward on a different path.

To Monitor Growth Over Time

If you have participated in previous assessments, you may have received feedback to complete another evaluation in one to three years. A re-evaluation, often less intensive than a first evaluation, can help provide details about growth over time, areas for further intervention or focus, and to get a more updated picture of current strengths and weaknesses. Re-evaluations are also recommended for neurodevelopmental disabilities every 2-3 years. Having a recent evaluation (i.e., within 6 months) is often required for first-time access to medical waivers (e.g., Innovations Waiver).