Neuropsychology Partners

Neuropsychological Assessment is the systematic examination of the various functions of the brain and nervous system. It determines the strengths and weaknesses of the various mental skills , such as memory, attention, language, learning, reasoning, and higher mental functions such as planning and initiation of behavior. These functions are tested with special  instruments (tasks are often game-like in nature), and the child’s performance is compared with  others of the same age to determine how they are functioning. Certain patterns of skill strengths and weakness lead to diagnosis of specific conditions such as ADHD, Asperger's Disorder, Autism, Nonverbal Learning Disability, and others. Certain brain dysfunctions may look like behavior
disorders (such as ODD) when they are actually related to neurological or neurodevelopmental problems. The purpose of the assessment is to describe the patterns of strengths and weakness,  determine the basis of the problem (as would a diagnosis), and recommend a strategy to help the
child function better in the home, school, and community. A comprehensive assessment should also include observation of the child at school or home, parent and teacher input, and an assessment of emotional and behavioral functioning.

What should one expect when a Neuropsychological  Assesment is performed?
First: Initial consultation; this lasts approximately 60-90 minutes and is parents-only.  It includes partial records review, background interview, and determination of need to test, if any.

Second: In-depth records review. This is faster if the parents procure the records.

Third: Assessment appointments. The child comes with the parent for 1-4 appointments, depending  on the age and needs of the child, and length of the assessment. Neuropsychological assessment may take 6-10 hours of testing, interview and play time with the child (structured observation).

Other: Observation at school or home, approximately one hour;  Possible observation of potential placement sites (e.g. schools, programs); Consultation with treatment team (medical doctor, teachers, attorneys, educational therapists);
Feedback session with parents, usually approximately one hour; Full written report of findings with  extensive, individualized recommendations;  Attendance at IEP/ITP meetings, Due process hearings,
may be included in the fee if desired.

There are two types of IEEs, parent funded and district funded. 

Parent funded IEEs require the parent to initiate the assessment, and fund the assessment, then present the findings to the school district. If the results of the assessment are helpful to the development of the IEP the district may reimbuse the parents for the cost of the evaluation. Many districts have time, location, and credential limitations which may impact reimbursement.  It is important for parents to read and understand the specific policies of their district. While no guarantees can be made about reibursement,  Dr Simun's evaluations have been consistently reimbursed by districts in Los Angeles, Orange, San Bernardino, Riverside and Santa Barbara counties. 

District funded IEEs require advance arrangments between the district and Neuropsychology Partners.  All districts have policies, which you should review to help you make a proper request, which will describe their procedures.  In cases of district funded IEEs, parents are not required to pay for the evaluation, and the findings are presented to the parents and the district concurrently.  It is important for parents to read and understand the specific policies of their district.  

Is Dr. Simun Qualified to Perform IEEs? 

Dr. Simun holds School Psychologist, Educational Psychologist and Clinical Psychologist credentials and is qualified to perform IEEs for all local school districts. 

What Districts Has She Worked With?

She has been approved and/or selected for IEEs by over 20 school districts in Southern California including LAUSD, SMMUSD, Culver City, Santa Barbara, Azusa, ABC, Montebello, Garvey, Bellflower, Inglewood, Los Alamitos, Redondo Beach, Hacienda La Puente, Torrance, Long Beach, Glendale, Pomona, Burbank, Alvord, and others.  Her IEEs have also been accepted/used in IEPs in the following districts (not an exhaustive list):  Beverly Hills, Irvine, Covina, Montecito, LACOE, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Huntington Beach, Norwalk La Mirada, Lakewood, and others. She has performed assessments for Westside RC and her assessments have been used by North LA,  Lanterman and Harbor Regional Centers.

PsychoEducational Assessment is the systematic examination of the various functions of the brain as it relates to education and educational disabilities. It determines the strengths and weaknesses of the various mental skills and describes how the mental functioning patterns impact learning.
These functions are tested with special instruments (tasks are often game-like in nature) and the child’s performance is compared with others of the same age to determine how they are functioning.
Certain patterns of skill strengths and weakness lead to diagnosis of specific conditions such as ADHD, Asperger’s Disorder, Autism, Nonverbal Learning Disability, and others. The purposes of the
assessment are to describe the patterns of strengths and weakness, determine the basis of the problem, determine if the child meets eligibility for Special Education and Related Services, and recommend a strategy to help the child function better in the home, school, and community. A comprehensive assessment includes observation of the child at school or home, and utilizes direct
testing, observation, records review, and parent and teacher input. The assessment should cover the following areas (at minimum): Background history, developmental history, medical status,
cognitive functioning, academic skills, memory, visual-spatial processing, auditory processing, attention, adaptive skills, social skills, emotional and behavioral functioning. The assessment should result in detailed description of the difficulties found, and suggestions for working with the
problems.

What Should One Expect When a Psychoeducational Assessment is Performed?
First: Initial consultation, approximately 60 minutes, parents only. Includes partial records review, background interview, and determination of need to test, if any.

Second: In-depth records review. This is faster if the parents procure the records.

Third: Assessment appointments. The child comes with the parent for 1-2 (more for preschoolers) appointments, depending on the age and needs of the child, and length of the assessment.  Psychoeducational assessment may take a total of 4-8 hours of direct testing, including the child interview and play time (structured observation).

Other: Observation of school or home, usually approximately one hour; Consultation involving professionals (medical doctor, teachers, attorneys, educational therapists); Feedback session with parents, usually approximately one hour; Full written report of findings with extensive, individualized
recommendations; Attendance at IEP/ITP meetings. Attorney consultation,  Due Process hearings, etc. require an additional fee.

What About Dual Exceptional Children?
Dual Exceptional or "2e" children are children with a disability or exceptionality in addition to cognitive giftedness.  They have additional challenges of  frustration, late diagnosis, and resistance by some educators of the need for support or the legitimacy of their diagnosis.  Cognitively gifted children with ADHD are difficult to diagnose, and often go many years without help and support.  Our psychologists are especially sensitive to this population due to personal experience within their own families.  Specialized help and support is needed for these youngsters to ensure that they do not "give up" and become chronic underachievers.

Do You Accept Insurance?
We accept limited insurance (some Blue Cross/Anthem PPO); however, many insurance plans do not cover assessments for learning problems.  Medical issues such as Autism, Epilepsy, Head Injury, and ADHD are often covered by insurance policies.  Parents have the responsibility to verify their coverage and any such exclusions.  If the purpose of an assessment is other than medical needs (such as a court hearing, IEP meeting, Regional Center, or test
accommodations) the insurance companies may deny payment.  Check your policy for such exclusions.

What Are Your Fees?
The initial consultation fee is $300 for 60 to 90 minutes.  Fees for assessment are based on the age of the child/teen/adult, the type of evaluation needed, and additional services needed.  Testing may be charged by the hour, or as a flat fee.  Insurance cases are billed hourly . Counseling fees are based on the service provider (MSW or intern) but start at $20 per hour.  Interns charge a lower fee.  

Please call for a specific fee question.

What Payment Options Do You Accept?
At this time, Neuropsychology Partners is able to accept checks, as well as purchase orders or contracts from school districts for IEEs.  We can also accept credit or debit cards via PayPal for an additional fee. 

Payment is generally due at the time services are rendered (consulation and/or testing date).

A neuropsychologist is a licensed clincial psychologist who has specialized training, supervised experience, and education related to brain and behavior relationships.  They must have a doctorate in psychology (PhD or PsyD), specialized coursework in neurology and assessment, plus 2 years supervised training and exprience in neuropsychology.  While state certifications do not exist for this specialty, a clinical neuropsychologist will have a state license to practice psychology (state license look up here).   

For IEEs, Dr Simun genearlly attends IEP meetings to present the findings and confer with the IEP team to develop a good plan for the child. Depending upon the agreement, this fee may be included in the assessment.

Due Process testimony is generally not included in the fee at it is fairly rare.  Due Process attorney consultation, preparation, and attendance (testimony) is billed hourly.  Dr. Simun has testified in DPH for school districts and Regional Center cases.

Dr. Simun is happy to consult with and work with other member's of the child's treatment team including speech therapists, psychiatrists, neurologists, occupational therapists, behaviorists, and psychologists.  Dr. Simun also recommends referrals to various services including those found here , here, and here: