Frequently Asked Questions
How does the diagnostic process work for my family and child?
The initial consultation is over secure video based telehealth. This allows me to get to know your child’s history, strengths and your concerns. This allows us an opportunity to talk without your child present the entire time, but I can also observe and interact with your child as well. Prior to the intake interview, you will fill out consent forms and complete questionnaires about your child. I believe in a collaborative approach, so we may include information provided by your child’s teacher and health care providers. At the end of the intake assessment, I will be able to give you a plan for the assessment. In some cases, you may not be sure that an assessment is necessary. If, in my clinical opinion, an assessment is not necessary, I will let you know and we can decide on follow up plans. Once the assessment is complete, we can follow up either in person or on video, so that I can go over the test results. In some cases, I can give you some results on the day of the evaluation, but at times, it is necessary for me to carefully score the assessment before formulating a diagnostic conclusion. We can decide if any follow up will be necessary at that point.
How do Consultation sessions work?
Most consultation visits are provided via telehealth. Under some circumstances we may agree that an in office observation or even an in home consultation would be helpful.
How do we pay for assessments?
At this time, The Kay Center only accepts private pay. Insurance is not accepted, but families can ask for a comprehensive bill with relevant codes to present to their insurance company for reimbursement. Some insurance companies may reimburse a portion of the cost, but there is no guarantee that this will happen. The Kay Center does not enter in to single case agreements or accept payments from insurance at this time. Parents can choose to pay with an FSA account. Costs for evaluation can be broken into 3 payments (intake, a payment 1 month prior to testing date, (parents have flexibility in selecting a date) and once the written report is delivered. For example, a parent of a 2 year old could choose an intake on January 1 and $500 dollars woud be due. Then if they chose to spread out the visits and chose a test date of February 20th, a second payment of $750 would be due January 20th and a third payment would be due approximately 2-5 days after the test date on February 20th. Test dates are available sooner, but spreading out the visits helps some families.
Payments are made by either by credit card via a secure link or by check.
What is the cost of Assessment?
Initial Assessment
$500
Diagnostic Evaluations for Children age 2 and under
$1500
Diagnostic Evaluations for Children age 3
$2000
Diagnostic Evaluations for Children age 4-20
$3000
Guardianship related evaluations
Guardianship evaluations can be completed for children who have a diagnosis of autism and/or intellectual disability. Some children only need for the parent to be interviewed, a brief interview or observation of the child and an adaptive behavior questionnaire. These types of evaluations are charged at an hourly rate and less costly. If the child needs a new cognitive assessment because they do not have recently documented scores, then it may take 2-3 extra hours of time. I will happily provide a cost estimate over the phone for guardianship evaluation depending on circumstances.
Other Evaluations
$250 per hour
In some cases, children with autism or other developmental disabilities may need a shorter, updated evaluation in order to diagnose ADHD, anxiety, or to confirm the autism diagnosis in order to continue accessing services. These types of evaluations can be done in a shorter amount of time depending on the child and family needs and may cost less. Dr. Kay can answer questions about the number of hours it would take to evaluate a child and write a report related to these needs on a case by case basis. Similarly, some evaluations for learning disability in a child without other concerns may be billed at an hourly rate if it would be less costly based on the necessary assessments.
Consultation on Sleep, Toileting, Feeding or behavior problems
$250 per hour
Consultation for ABA Program Review or IEP program review
Initial consultation fee of $400.00.
Dr. Kay will then be able to provide a good faith estimate regarding the amount of time the program review will take. Subsequent hours billed at $250.00 per hour.
Cognitive Assessment for Typically Developing or Gifted Children
An initial visit may or not be needed prior to this type of assessment
$1200.
Fees for other services can be discussed by phone and a written estimate provided.
Can Dr. Kay see children from out of state?
Yes
Dr. Kay is licensed in Massachusetts and Connecticut, so if you live in another state we can do an intake call to gather basic information, but testing and consultation must occur in Massachusetts in the clinic. Home based evaluations may be available in CT depending on location. Home based evaluations are available in Massachusetts depending on location. In many cases, the entire evaluation could be completed in one day if the family is not able to travel to Massachusetts on multiple occasions.
Why consider a private evaluation?
Your child may be seen sooner due to low wait times allowing for earlier intervention.
You only work with Dr. Kay. You know exactly who is evaluating your child or providing consultation services. This is a solo practice and Dr. Kay is the only person you will need to work with throughout the process. She will discuss whether you need this evaluation or consultation, provide the service and be available thoughout your child’s education to help if necessary. Many practices can only provide an initial evaluation with no follow up. This may be all you need, but for many families support is needed at many stages of development and Dr. Kay will be readily available. The ability to have a long term helpful relationship with families is her primary reason for starting this private practice.
Dr. Kay’s experience is comprehensive. For a decade, Dr. Kay worked exclusively in homes of children with a variety of developmental needs. She spent a decade running a special education school for children with complex needs and consulting in their homes. And, she has spent the last decade doing evaluations and education at a large regional hospital.
What are some limits on Dr. Kay’s service?
Medications. Dr. Kay does not prescribe medications but can recommend that your provider consider medications or that you consult with a psychiatrist after a diagnositic evaluation. For young children, Dr. Kay tends to recommend behavioral and therapeuric approaches first.
Forensic Evaluations : Evaluations related to parental fitness or involvement in custody disputes are not a service provided by Dr. Kay or the Kay Center. If parents are separated or divorced both parents should provide signed consent for the assessment unless a court order specifies otherwise. Parents should inform Dr. Kay if two consent forms are required when scheduling initial appointments.
Dr. Kay may diagnose anxiety or another mood disorder in a child, but she does not provide direct therapeutic services for these conditions. In certain cases, she can provide direct teaching or therapeutic intervention for children with autism, but this service is on a case by case basis. Dr. Kay may recommend ABA therapy, but she does not have staff to provide intensive daily services that some children require. But, she gladly makes referrals other providers for these services.