I evaluate for ADHD/ADD, all Learning Disabilities (including, but not limited to: Reading, Writing, or Math Disorders, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Processing Speed Disorders, and Fluency Disorders), High or Low IQ, Academic Achievement and Giftedness. Since emotional or psychological conditions can cause symptoms similar to ADD/ADHD, I can also evaluate an individual’s emotional and psychological functioning if necessary.

There are a multitude of reasons that make it worthwhile to have a neuropsychological evaluation. First of all, Learning Disabilities can occur in close to half of all individuals who have ADHD. If you or your child has not had any testing, these Learning Disabilities can go undetected and untreated. Treating this individual with only medication would be treating only half of the problem. Untreated Learning Disabilities in children can result in low academic performance, lack of motivation, low self-esteem and can sometimes lead to more severe problems such as depression and anxiety.

Definitely. One on one instruction can often make the difference in a way that group classes can’t in getting an ongoing meditation practice off the ground and continuing with it. This is one of the most common challenges faced by meditators and I would be happy to help you explore and overcome the blocks that are keeping you from sticking with your practice.

Secondly, in order for you or your child to apply for accommodations for ADHD or Learning Disabilities (such as extended time) on standardized tests (such as the SAT, ACT, GRE, MCAT, LSAT, or GMAT) the boards of the testing company require that you have had a full assessment. Dr. Hall is experienced in providing testing that meets the requirements of these boards. Also, almost all universities and most primary and secondary schools require a full assessment to document the ADHD or Learning Disability before they are willing to provide accommodations for you or your child. Without proper accommodations, individuals with ADHD and/or Learning Disabilities may not be able to perform at their highest levels academically. Dr. Hall has experience providing the type of testing that meets the standards set by universities and schools.

Additionally, a full evaluation provides not only a diagnosis, but also a thorough pattern of strengths and weaknesses. This pattern of strengths and weaknesses is used to design individualized treatment and educational interventions to assist you or your child.

Finally, but not least importantly, a full assessment provides diagnostic accuracy. There are many different conditions that share symptoms with ADHD and can easily be misdiagnosed as ADHD without a full evaluation.

All testing packages contain an intake interview, 1—8 hours of testing, written feedback and a feedback session.

I am thrilled that you want to start meditating and would love to help you! It is not complicated at all and I will teach you all you need to get started: where to meditate, how to sit, how to do it, and how to stick with it. I recommend setting up a one on one meditation instruction session. Most people benefit from having at least 4-6 individual sessions when getting started, but even just one session can set you on the right path.

I am happy to talk with you on the phone briefly for no charge to help clarify your situation, explain services and pricing and discuss what type of service would best fit your needs. If it becomes evident during the call, that a significant amount of time is needed to review your case, I will recommend scheduling a consultation appointment or if you are interested in testing, an intake interview.

Evaluation and assessment are terms that refer to a process that includes a review of a client’s history and symptoms as well as the administration of psychological tests used to diagnosis a condition. Testing is a more common, everyday word used to talk about the actual testing part of the evaluation/assessment.

Dr. Hall evaluates for ADHD/ADD, all Learning Disabilities (including, but not limited to: Reading, Writing, or Math Disorders, Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Processing Speed Disorders, and Fluency Disorders), High or Low IQ, Academic Achievement and Giftedness. Since emotional or psychological conditions can cause symptoms similar to ADD/ADHD, Dr. Hall will also evaluate an individual’s emotional and psychological functioning.

It is often reassuring to a child to start by explaining that everyone is good at some things and not so good at others, and giving some examples from your own life (i.e. mom is really good at math and paying the bills, but finds it harder to remember how to spell longer words). Then elaborating that one of the reasons for seeing Dr. Hall is to help determine what things your child is really good at and what things they need some help with so that parents and teachers know the best way to help them learn and get along at home and school. When talking to your child about the assessment process, it is best to not use the word “test” as this causes anxiety in many children. Instead talk about how they will work together with Dr. Hall on “tasks,” “projects,” and “activities.” Additionally, it is not uncommon for children to hear the word “doctor” and think that they will be having a physical exam, being poked and prodded, or receiving a shot. It is helpful to reassure them that this is not the case.

We will have a feedback session, where I will spend time with you reviewing your scores, discussing your pattern of strengths and weaknesses, and explaining any diagnosis. I will make specific recommendations based on what we have learned from our testing that will include any needed school accommodations, any outside services that will be helpful to seek out, and things you can be doing at home that will helpful. You will have time to ask questions to ensure that you understand the results and recommendations. My ultimate goal is to lay out a road map for you going forward that explains what will be helpful. After the feedback session, if any additional questions arise, you are welcome to follow-up with me. When testing children, this feedback session is only for the parents.

Results and reports for a complete neuropsychological evaluation are typically completed within two weeks. Results for some of the shorter evaluations can be provided sooner.

This is a common situation as many areas are lacking in expert providers who specialize in assessment of learning differences. I have worked with individuals from out of town on many occasions and have developed my assessments to be administered via video chat and telehealth. Thus, you or your child do not have to travel to Austin to see me and all appointments can be conducted from the convenience and comfort of your home or office.

All testing packages contain an intake interview, which involves a review of important personal and family history, a discussion about current concerns and their development and completion of several quick questionnaires about symptoms, 1—5 hours of testing, and a feedback session. If prior testing has been done or school/teacher reports are available, those will also be reviewed. Individual tests (such as IQ test only) are not in a package and frequently consist of only the specific testing and feedback.

Absolutely. I’ll have you fill out a brief history questionnaire/form and let’s schedule an hour session to discuss your concerns. I’ll provide guidance and advice on the best next steps for you and your family.

Please reach out via phone/email and I will send you some brief forms to complete/sign. I require pre-payment of your first full hour of consultation and this can be done by giving me a credit card over the phone. Once payment has been received we will schedule your hourlong consultation call, which can be done via phone or video chat.

I have moved all my testing to be done virtually via tele-health appointments. I am licensed in the state of Texas so as long as you live in Texas we can work together on an assessment.

All new consultation clients will start with a full hour video session for $175. If you need documents reviewed prior to our first session, such as a testing report, then the charge is $250. For ongoing consultation after this first session, full one-hour sessions can continue to be booked at the rate of $175. Or, in order to be flexible and meet differing individual needs, issues/questions can be addressed via phone/email billed in 15-minute increment (30-minute minimum) at the rate of $175 per hour. Longer video chat sessions can also be booked if you need some concentrated and focused time.

We will schedule our testing sessions to be done via video chat (typically using the Zoom platform). I will mail you some printed material that we will use during our testing sessions and you will return those to me (I’ll include a prepaid envelope for your convenience). I will use the screen share function to show you various visual materials and the auditory materials will be presented out loud just like if you were sitting next to me in the office. Clients have found this virtual, telehealth set-up to be preferable to in-person testing. You don’t need the time or hassle of traveling to my office and you can be in the comfort of your own surroundings for testing. You don’t need any fancy equipment or special technical skills.

The good news is that the children all do very well with this virtual testing. Testing is different from virtual school in several ways that are very important. First, it is all one on one, just me and your child, and not a "classroom" type environment where your child logs on and then is part of an audience. Children thrive on this one to one attention even when it is virtual. Second, the testing is highly interactive. Your child and I are constantly going back and forth on tasks. This high level of interaction is much more engaging then the passivity that often occurs in online classes. Third, the testing is very interesting and stimulating for the children. They are not listening to a lesson but are participating in activities, most of which the children enjoy and think are fun (I say "most" and not "all" because they are a few tasks, such as a spelling activity that are a bit dry, but it is like that in-person too, and it is probably only 5% of the tasks).

ADHD is the diagnostically “correct” name, and although the media and pop culture frequently refer to it as ADD, they are discussing the same condition. There is also some confusion because people often feel that if they are not hyperactive than the “H” in ADHD does not apply and thus think that ADD is a better term. In actuality, ADHD has several sub-types including one that is “inattentive only” and does not include hyperactive symptoms.