A phone consultation or completed screening form will help us make sure you are in the right place and that Dr. Austen can meet your evaluation needs. 

For children: Only the parents/caregivers should attend a phone consultation.

Once completed, you'll be invited to schedule your first visits. 

Before your visit, you'll complete several surveys, forms, and other documents. You have the option to complete web-based forms or to have forms read to you - just let us know if you have a preference

Description:  This is the first visit of the evaluation. During this visit I will collect additional or clarifying information related to childhood development, educational/work history, medical/mental health history, functional needs and strengths. Depending on the question we hope to answer in the interview, I will also conduct a structured interview that will allow me to gather specific information about the referral question. 

For children: Only the parents/caregivers should attend this visit. 

What to Expect 

This visit will last about 90 minutes to two hours. 

The format can be virtual or in-person (entirely your choice and you can change this even at the last minute).  We can also arrange a mobile visit where Dr. Austen comes to you (highly dependent on need). 

This visit is often emotionally exhausting, as we tend to talk about things many people find emotionally difficult. We will touch on substance use and trauma history in this visit. You are welcome to “pass” any questions that are too uncomfortable. 

How to Prepare 

Adult Evaluations

 If possible, you may wish to connect with those who raised to you ask them questions about what you were like as a child. If this is not possible, it’s ok – we’ll do the best we can with the information that is available. Please don’t feel that you need to be exhaustive in gathering information, if you choose to do it at all.

Some questions that are helpful :

1. What was my birth history like? Did I need intervention during birth?

2. Did I meet developmental milestones on time? Did I need or receive intervention, and how did that go? Did anyone express any concerns about me early on?

3. What was I like as a baby? How did others describe me?  

4. What did I like to play with and who did I like to play with?

5. How did I do with eating, sleeping, and learning to soothe myself? Did I need more help than other kids seemed to need?

6. What was my energy like and did I have frequent tantrums, meltdowns, or outbursts? What seemed to help soothe me? What were the triggers?

7. How did I do in school? What feedback did teachers share about me?

8. What was I like as a toddler or school-aged child? What was unique about me? Did I have any strengths or needs that stood out to you? 

9. Were there any major stressors that happened when I was a kid – big moves, loss of important people, divorce, financial struggles, fires/storm damages, personal trauma. How did I cope?

Child Evaluations: Parents, please consider the questions above regarding your child. This visit is for parents/caregivers only. You may wish to review home videos, photos, or any educational information you’ve saved. Please bring with you (or upload) any former evaluations or school records that seem like they are relevant. 

We will conduct standardized cognitive testing which often look like "brain games". These tests are standardized and will allow us to better understand how componants of your brain works. We will do this using IPADS, or paper/pencil tasks.

What to Expect 

This visit will last between two and four hours. The format is in-person only and can occur in my office or in a space of your preference (must be suitable). 

This visit is often mentally exhausting. We will plan for several breaks and you’re welcome to ask for more breaks. 

For Child Evaluations: Parents should expect to join the first 20 minutes of this visit. At this time, I’ll obtain assent for participation from the child and we will play a short game that will allow me to build rapport and make some initial observations. Parents are encouraged to stay nearby in the waiting room so that they can be visited during breaks (which children love to do). Children and teens will be interviewed throughout the visit and may need to return for additional interview or testing, as needed.

For Adult Evaluations:: You may bring a support person, but they may need to wait in the waiting room unless they are providing interpretation.

How to Prepare 

For Child Evaluations: Ensure your child gets to sleep on time the night before. Make sure they’ve eaten a typical meal and that they have snacks and water ready at the visit. Ensure they have taken their medications and that they have any devices they need (glasses/hearing aids). Help prepare them for the visit by sharing the steps and what to expect with them. 

For Adult Evaluations: Please try to get a typical night’s sleep and eat typically (maybe a little extra). Be sure you’ve taken any medication you normally take, and that you bring your glasses/hearing aids. If you use medical cannabis, please abstain from using it the day of testing. Please let others know that you will not be available by phone during the visit (you’ll be asked to turn off any devices that you use).

Additional Testing Day – We may not finish all of the testing that we set out to complete. If we need to complete additional testing, we will schedule that visit when needed. 

During this visit, we will review the data that was collected to identify strengths, needs and opportunities for support, and possible diagnoses. 

This  visit will last about 60 – 90 minutes.

We will talk though recommendations, including potential accommodations, additional testing or referrals, and communication to support or other individuals. 

For Child Evaluations: Similar to the first visit, this visit is for parents only unless we have made another arrangement, (for example, some teens like to be included) 

For Adult Evaluations:: You may bring a support person who is welcome to join any part of this session. We can work out a plan to include them in whole or for parts of the visit, if you’d like. 

Next steps following the evaluation and feedback session: 

1. You'll receive a final electronic copy of the report. 

2. You may request the release of either the full report or a summary of it. Report will be shared with all those for whom you provide consent.

3. You'll receive a follow-up email six weeks after the visit to see how you're doing, ensure your needs have been met and to ask you to share your perspective on the process.

4. You may request a follow up visit to discuss anything related to the report anytime within the next year.