Question 1

What ages do you work with?

Accepted Answer

Pinnacle Psychology provides services for children and adolescents under age 18. Dr. Guo has extensive experience evaluating children as young as 1 year old.

Question 2

What does the autism assessment process look like?

Accepted Answer

The process begins with a brief consultation call where we discuss your concerns and determine if our services are the right fit. The evaluation itself includes caregiver interviews and questionnaires, direct assessment with your child using standardized tools, and self-report measures for older children if applicable. We also gather collaborating information from teachers or therapists when relevant. After the evaluation, you’ll receive a feedback session to discuss the results and a comprehensive written diagnostic report with recommendations.

Question 3

What types of assessments are included in an evaluation?

Accepted Answer

Our evaluations typically include general cognitive measures, parent and caregiver questionnaires, and autism-focused assessment tools. The specific combination is tailored to your child’s age, developmental level, and the questions we’re trying to answer.

Question 4

How long does an evaluation take?

Accepted Answer

A comprehensive autism evaluation typically requires 2–3 sessions, each lasting 1–3 hours depending on your child’s age and needs. The full process from initial consultation to feedback session generally takes 2–4 weeks.

Question 5

Do you accept insurance?

Accepted Answer

Pinnacle Psychology is an out-of-network provider. We provide superbills (detailed receipts) that you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. We recommend contacting your insurance provider to understand your out-of-network benefits before scheduling.

Question 6

What are your fees?

Accepted Answer

Fees vary depending on the type and complexity of the evaluation. We are happy to discuss fees during an initial phone consultation. Please contact us for current rates.

Question 7

Do you offer telehealth services?

Accepted Answer

Some components of an evaluation, such as the initial consultation, caregiver interviews, and feedback session, can be conducted via telehealth. However, direct assessments with your child require in-person administration.

Question 8

Do you offer services in Mandarin Chinese?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Dr. Guo is fluent in Mandarin Chinese and can conduct evaluations and feedback sessions in Mandarin. Evaluation reports can also be discussed in Mandarin to ensure families fully understand the results and recommendations.

Question 9

What happens after we receive the diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

The comprehensive report includes specific, actionable recommendations tailored to your child. During the feedback session, Dr. Guo will walk you through the findings, offer general guidance on the types of services and community resources that may be helpful, and share educational information to support caregivers in understanding their child's needs. You'll leave with a clearer picture of what to look for and where to start.

Question 10

Do I need a referral to schedule an evaluation?

Accepted Answer

No referral is needed. You can contact us directly to schedule an initial consultation. However, some insurance plans may require a referral for out-of-network reimbursement, so we recommend checking with your provider.

Question 11

What should I bring to the first appointment?

Accepted Answer

Please bring any previous evaluation reports, school records (IEPs, report cards), medical records related to your concerns, and a completed intake questionnaire (provided after scheduling). The more information we have, the more thorough and accurate the evaluation will be.

Frequently Asked Questions