Dear Ms. Scarbrough:

I think, given the circumstances, that an initial 1 hour consultation
would be practical. If, in the course of reviewing what you have
already, I think a full eval is the way to go I'll outline the
reasoning and if not I'll make recommendations for your next course of
action and make referrals if requested as well.

Our office phone is 770-591-9552 and MaryEllen is there most days from
8:30 to 2:30 this summer.

Our webpage has all the intake paperwork in PDF format so you can
complete it calmly at home prior to arriving at the office. We also
have a list of recommended records that we'd like to see if they exist
with that material. Additionally, there are directions and photos of
our building on the webpage to make finding us easier.

http://www.reinforcementunlimited.com/intake%20packet.pdf
http://www.reinforcementunlimited.com/directions.htm

-RWM

--- In opengaautism@yahoogroups.com, "Lisa H Scarbrough"
<riliscarbrough008@...> wrote:
>
> Thank you for all your help. I am going to try to gather all our
paperwork, testing, etc..and see if we can possibly schedule a
meeting. What do you suggest we come in for? A records review or an
autism diagnostic observation? I guess what I am asking is what is my
next step?
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Robert W. Montgomery, Ph.D., BCBA
> To: opengaautism@yahoogroups.com
> Sent: Saturday, July 05, 2008 7:29 PM
> Subject: [opengaautism] Re: HELP finding child psychiatrist to
evaluate my 3.5 yr old daughter
>
>
> Dear Ms. Scarbrough:
>
> There are several options here that may be useful to explore.
>
> First, if multiple evaluations have already been performed then
> perhaps a consult and records review will be sufficient?
>
> Second option, we typically evaluate children for possible ASDs and do
> NOT need to conduct neuropsychological testing. I know many Advocates
> seem to present the case the neuropsychs can somehow walk on water and
> see around corners but Autism diagnostics have little to do with
> traditional neuropsychological testing and very much to do with good
> old fashioned observations, interviews, and direct assessment using
> appropriate tools like the ADI-R to collect parent information and the
> ADOS for interacting directly with the child coupled with broad
> cognitive and language measures. Traditional psychological testing is
> $1575 flat fee at our clinic when self-paid and many of our parents
> with insurance have been able to recover significant portions of that
> by submitting to their insurer for reimbursement under their plan. We
> are happy to provide the forms completed for doing so.
>
> Third, RTI is NOT the only way to qualify for SpEd eligibility
> regardless of what any school official said to you or implied. Old
> fashioned testing still can qualify a child - particularly one that is
> pre-school age and we have loads of experience in helping make that
> happen when appropriate.
>
> Fourth, you do NOT have to "prove their eval was not appropriate".
> This is where an advocate and/or an attorney can guide you with more
> assurance. However, I have conducted dozens of IEEs and in no
> instance did the family have to "prove" that the eval was not
appropriate.
>
> I'll be happy to discuss this with you in greater detail,
>
> -Robert W. Montgomery, Ph.D.
> Licensed Psychologist
> Board Certified Behavior Analyst
>
> --- In opengaautism@yahoogroups.com, "Lisa H Scarbrough"
> <riliscarbrough008@> wrote:
> >
> > Because of her birthday, she will still be in preschool for another
> year before she can be eligible for pre-k. Dr. Dunbar was hesitant to
> diagnose her last year, but said we should do floortime. We also took
> her for an OT eval to Mili Cordero, recommended by Dunbar. We just
> couldn't afford to take her to Mili so frequently since they don't
> take insurance.. Fayette county schools did a full psychological at my
> request, but they also are one of the first counties to use the
> "RTI..response to intervention model. Maggie does not meet
> requirements under their testing for autism, although all the testing
> was done one on one which she prefers adults. She is compliant in her
> classroom and not disruptive, but does not interact at the same level
> of her peers. They did observe in her classroom and didn't notice any
> sensory issues, but that was one snapshot in time and not a
> representation of her true behaviors. They told me to request a
> private eval paid by the school system I would have to prove that
> their eval was not appropriate and I am not sure how I would do that.
> We are hoping to save up some money and take her for a full neuropsych
> eval and diagnostic eval by Dr. Robert Montgomery . His fee is
> 2500.00, so this is not easy to do without insurance coverage and the
> school system can leave you feeling powerless. She needs more than
> just speech twice a week.
> > Any ideas?
> > Lisa H. Scarbrough
>