Neuropsychological and Psychological Testing Service

Accommodations Testing

Each standardized test organization is required by the Americans with Disabilities Act to provide accommodations to students with documented needs.

Accommodations are alterations in the way tasks are presented, allowing students with academic or learning difficulties to complete assignments on equal terms with others. They do not alter the content of assignments, give students an unfair advantage, or change what a test measures. Accommodations enable individuals to demonstrate their abilities.

Our self-pay testing service is conducted on an outpatient basis and can take 4 to 6 hours, though it may be broken into two days if needed.

The assessments involve interviews, paper-and-pencil tests, and some computerized tasks, all administered and interpreted by our experienced neuropsychologists. We also review academic history, reports of past evaluations, and documentation of current and past accommodations.

Based on the evaluation results, we will provide specific documentation to support accommodation requests.

Accommodations testing is available to individuals ages 16 and older. It is best suited for students who:

• Have been diagnosed with an academic disability or suspect they have one and are seeking accommodations for standardized exams
• Have ADHD, learning disabilities (e.g., dyslexia), acquired brain injuries from concussions, or psychiatric issues that may impact school performance

Most college-age students seeking evaluation have already been diagnosed and typically receive academic accommodations. Those applying for standardized exams (e.g., SAT, ACT, GRE, MCAT, GMAT, LSAT) will need a recent re-evaluation tailored to the specific exam’s requirements. Each exam has distinct criteria for the evaluative instruments it accepts when considering accommodation requests.

Types of Accommodations

Accommodations fall into six categories, determined by the student’s specific needs and history and assessed through testing.

• Presentation: Large print, fewer items per page, reading test instructions aloud, repetition of instructions
• Response: Verbal answers, dictating responses to a scribe or speech-to-text software, using a computer (with or without spell check), or writing answers directly in the test booklet
• Time: Frequent breaks, extended time for test completion
• Location: Special lighting or acoustics, minimal distractions, preferential seating.
• Scheduling: Changing the order of subtests, testing at a specific time, or spreading sections over different days
• Other: Test preparation, snacks during breaks, on-task prompts, or other reasonable adjustments tailored to the student’s needs

The nature and extent of accommodations are dependent on evaluation results.

Appointments

Students seeking an evaluation for accommodations for standardized exams may contact us directly to set up an appointment. A referral is not required.

Psychiatrists, psychologists, therapists, and other medical professionals working with individuals who have neurodegenerative diseases, psychiatric or neurological conditions, or other medical issues can refer their patients to the service for evaluation and testing.

For more information or to make a referral, please contact:

Phone: 617.855.3183

Parents or guardians seeking assessments for children or adolescents ages 16 and under should contact the Child and Adolescent Testing Service (CATS) at 617.674.5320.

Cost

Accommodations testing is not covered by insurance, therefore the cost is out of pocket.

Most neuropsychological and psychological assessments are covered by insurance because of their medical necessity. A provider referral and insurance verification and/or preauthorization are needed prior to making an appointment.

We understand that navigating the insurance system can be challenging, which is why we assist prospective patients to help determine eligibility. We welcome your questions and concerns and have a dedicated staff to help you.

McLean Hospital accepts Medicare, Massachusetts Medicaid, and many private insurance and managed care plans. More information on insurance providers accepted by McLean Hospital may be found on the Mass General Brigham website. You may also find it beneficial to review McLean’s patient billing and financial assistance information.

Location

The Neuropsychological and Psychological Testing Service is located on McLean’s Belmont campus, in the South Belknap building, Floor 3.

We also offer testing at McLean SouthEast, located in Middleborough and convenient to Massachusetts’ south shore, the Cape, and the Islands.

For more information on directions and parking, please visit our Maps & Directions page.

Program Leadership

Staff and Associates

Neuropsychological and psychological evaluation at McLean dates back to the early 1900s, when the hospital established its first lab dedicated to measuring cognitive and knowledge capacities (psychometrics).

McLean’s Neuropsychology Department has been offering outpatient evaluations since 1994, and psychodiagnostic testing has been part of inpatient services since the 1960s. Over the years, individuals from across the country and around the world have come to McLean for expertise in this area.

Our staff have extensive clinical experience in understanding cognitive, psychological, and emotional difficulties, with a particular focus on complex cases involving multiple contributing factors. Our doctors are also involved in mental health research and the training of psychology fellows and psychiatry residents.

McLean’s Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Adult and Geriatric Clinical Neuropsychology, a two-year training program, has graduated more than 40 fellows since 1995. Students in our neuropsychology practicum work alongside post-doctoral fellows, supervised by staff neuropsychologists, and are encouraged to participate in various learning opportunities.