We regularly receive requests for evaluations for a variety of concerns. These include providing objective test scores, determining a diagnosis, offering recommendations, establishing a need (if indicated) for accommodations, and/or providing a required letter or report for a doctor or school.
Douglas Tynan, Ph.D., ABPP
Dr. Douglas Tynan does most of the testing for Bryn Mawr Psychological Associates. He believes in shorter evaluation reports that are focused on the specific referral question. He also believes in having a quick turnaround time of only 2-3 weeks after testing until the completed report is in the hands of the family.
Dr. Tynan has had a distinguished career in assessment and testing, and in training other psychologists. He is well-known for his work for many years at the AI duPont Hospital for Children in Wilmington DE serving at various times as the Director of the ADHD Program, Director of Postdoctoral Fellow Training, and Director of the Primary Care Mental Health Program.
Over the course of his career he served on the faculty of Michigan State University, the George Washington University, and currently is a Professor of Pediatrics at Thomas Jefferson University. He has authored or co-authored more than 50 professional book chapters and peer-reviewed journal articles.
Intelligence Testing
Many of the local private schools require IQ testing of children by a psychologist as a requirement for admission. Includes evaluation and brief report. (Cost = $500)
Gifted Testing
Sometimes parents sense that their child is gifted and would like formal testing to gain a better understanding of their child’s strengths. Sometimes this assists in determining what preschools and elementary schools might be a good fit for their child. Parents also use gifted testing to make a request for assessment by their public elementary school for additional services through a GIEP. Includes evaluation and brief report. (Cost = $500)
Comprehensive Psychoeducational (Academic) Testing
Sometimes students encounter academic issues and other challenges in the school setting and parents are trying to understand the reasons. Public schools can provide free assessment, but sometimes parents wish to explore these issues privately or the school makes a determination that assessment is not indicated at the present time. Learning disabilities, ADHD, developmental issues, social issues, and other factors can be determined through testing. Comprehensive testing at Bryn Mawr Psychological includes:
- Diagnostic interview
- Cognitive testing
- Achievement testing
- Memory testing
- Executive Functioning (if indicated)
- Behavioral/Emotional parent checklists
- Teacher interview with rating forms (with parent permission)
- Review of school records and prior testing
- Parent feedback session
- Written report
(Cost = $2800) ($200/hour extra if classroom observation is requested)
ADHD Assessment in Adults
This type of evaluation generally consists of:
- Diagnostic interview
- Standardized rating forms of ADHD
- Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA)
- Standardized rating forms of Executive Functioning (if indicated)
- Gathering data from a family member if indicated
- Review of prior records
- 30 minute feedback session
- Brief report or letter that can be given to a physician if medication assessment is being considered.
(Cost = $900 for all of the above)
(Cost = $550 for interview, ADHD forms, review of records, and letter for physician only)
Brief Autism Spectrum Assessment in Adults
This type of evaluation generally consists of:
- Diagnostic interview
- Standardized rating forms of ASD
- Gathering data from a family member if indicated
- Review of prior records
- 60 minute feedback session
(Cost = $600 for all of the above)
Extended Test Time Evaluation for Standardized Tests
Students with ADHD, ASD, LD, anxiety, and processing issues are often candidates for extended test taking time on standardized entrance examinations such as SATs, PSATs, ACTs, GREs, MCATs, and LSATs. Sanctioning boards generally require evaluations to have been completed within two years of application. Dr. Tynan is a highly qualified licensed psychologist with over 25 years of experience in conducting evaluations that meet the requirements of sanctioning boards including the Educational Testing Services (ETS). However, it is important to note that while an appropriate evaluation will be conducted there is no guarantee that a student will qualify for extended time.
There are generally two situations that individuals/families present for testing:
Situation 1: A student has a comprehensive evaluation that was completed within the past two years that includes IQ and Achievement testing.
If the evaluation was completed by the school district and the student is already approved for Extended Time through an IEP or a 504 Plan, the family might ask the appropriate school personnel if the school can assist them in applying for Extended Time for standardized examinations. Alternatively, Dr. Tynan can do a diagnostic interview, review the existing recent testing as well as the IEP or 504 plan if the student has one, administer some additional measures critical to the determination of eligibility for Extended Time, and generally provide a report within 2 weeks.
(Cost = $1200)
Situation 2: A student does not have a comprehensive evaluation completed within the past two years OR there was an evaluation but it does not adequately identify the rationale for Extended Time.
In these instances, the Educational Testing Service and other test entities are hesitant to approve Extended Time if the assessment of processing speed, focus issues, and history of support services as school is not substantial. Often, they are looking for a more comprehensive examination that assesses additional cognitive indices and assesses anxiety and other emotional factors, as well as attentional factors, and processing speed. A review of prior testings and support services is also needed. Consequently, in these instances a Comprehensive Evaluation is indicated (see above). The results from this type of testing also can be utilized to request Disability accommodations for college, if indicated, as described below.
(Cost = $2800)
Evaluation for Disability Accommodations for College
Colleges offer appropriate accommodations for eligible students with disabilities that substantially limit their academic and social functioning. Dr. Tynan assesses high school and college students presenting with conditions such as ADHD, ASD, Slow processing speed, and Anxiety disorders, for potential accommodations. A feedback session is provided to the family and a report is generated that the student can present to the Office of Disabilities at their college at some point after they are accepted for admission to see if they are eligible for accommodations. Once Disability Accommodations are accepted by a college they are generally valid without further testing throughout the student's enrollment at the college.
(Cost = $2000 to $2500)
Assessments We Don't Do
Bryn Mawr Psychological Associates does not do the following types of assessments. There are many local highly qualified psychologists to whom we refer for these types of evaluations.
- Personality Assessment
- Neuropsychological Testing
- Custody Assessment