Local Evaluators

If you have a history of a learning, language, attention, autism spectrum, and/or related disorder and are requesting accommodations and services through SAS or planning on requesting them on the MCAT, GMAT, LSAT or in graduate school, you may need to get an (updated) evaluation. Please share your current documentation and consult with SAS regarding eligibility for SAS services prior to seeking an evaluation.

If you have not previously received academic accommodations (such as extra testing time) or services in earlier schooling but think you may need them at Dartmouth for an undiagnosed learning, attention, or other disorder, an evaluation may be appropriate. In particular, if your concerns are related to learning disorders (such as dyslexia), foreign language acquisition, or autism spectrum disorder, an evaluation will likely be required for accommodations.

If your concerns are around attention/focus/procrastination/impulsivity, please contact Counseling Services at Counseling@dartmouth.edu or (603) 646-9442 to schedule an attention screening. They can provide a multi-appointment, abbreviated evaluation costing between $0 - $30 that, if appropriate, may result in diagnosis of ADHD, medication management (if desired), and/or documentation that may qualify you for academic accommodations through Student Accessibility Services (SAS). Alternatively, Counseling may recommend a full evaluation.

You should be prepared that an evaluation may (or may not) find a disorder, or that it could identify a different condition from the one you had anticipated.

You should plan on the evaluation process taking up to 3 months. In general, you'll need to:

1. Decide if you want to be evaluated.
   • Dick's House, SAS, or another trusted professional can help you make this determination.
2. Connect with your insurance provider to determine coverage. DSGHP staff can guide you in navigating non-DSGHP insurance as well.
3. Connect with Financial Aid (if you receive it).
4. Contact a few evaluators and determine which one is right for you.
5. Schedule your evaluation.

Local evaluation costs, before insurance, are typically around $3,500 in the Upper Valley, but you are not limited to local psychologists. (Costs vary regionally and are generally higher in urban areas.) Dartmouth can assist in covering costs, especially if you have the DSGHP (Dartmouth Student Group Health Plan) and/or receive financial aid.

• If you have DSGHP coverage: the first $1,500 is covered, with the rest covered at 90% for an in-network provider (or 80% for an out-of-network provider). You no longer require a referral. Moreover, this benefit renews annually.
  • Email dartmouth.student.health.plan@dartmouth.edu or call (603) 646-9438 to verify coverage for your evaluation.
  • If you have DSGHP and another health insurance plan, your DSGHP plan is considered your "primary" plan for this benefit. (Some secondary insurance plans may be able to supplement the DSGHP benefit.)
• If you have non-DSGHP insurance: Contact your insurance carrier to see if an evaluation is covered. You should also check the terms and conditions for assistance. For example, your policy might restrict which practitioners you can use, where you can be tested, and/or by whom and how you can be referred.
  • For assistance understanding and navigating your insurance, contact the Dartmouth Student Group Health Plan office at dartmouth.student.health.plan@dartmouth.edu or (603) 646-9438.
• If you receive Dartmouth College financial aid: Contact the Financial Aid Office (Financial.Aid@Dartmouth.edu) about possible assistance with evaluation costs not covered by insurance. If eligible, Financial Aid can provide you with funds in advance if needed for payment and, if applicable, will seek out additional funds at the College on your behalf.
  • Financial Aid will likely direct you to complete the Dartmouth 4E Fund application.
• There are other, specialized sources of funding for which you may qualify. Regardless of whether you receive financial aid, you can apply for funds to cover remaining costs associated with an evaluation through the Financial Aid tile in DartHub.

We recommend contacting more than one evaluator and inquire about cost, appointment availability, report preparation time, and payment options. Preferred practitioners (such as those below) have experience with evaluating gifted adults and with the needs of students in higher education. However, not all practitioners are qualified to assess conditions such as language disorders or autism spectrum disorder, so you should inquire about their experience assessing your concerns. Contact SAS if you need additional guidance. Dartmouth-area evaluators for ADHD and learning disabilities include the following (with those who also do autism spectrum evaluations indicated) and are listed geographically:

• Keri Height, PsyD & Caroline Schackett, PhD, NCSP
  • (603) 277-9110, info@hanoverpsychiatry.net, 23 South Main Street 2B, Hanover, NH 03755 (downtown Hanover). http://www.hanoverpsychiatry.net/. Please let Hanover Psychiatry know if financial costs are a concern and the practice manager will be happy to talk with you. Hanover Psychiatry can also perform autism spectrum evaluations.
• Kathryn Robbins, PhD
  • (603) 277-0650, drkrobbins@uvchildfamilypsych.com, 53 South Main Street (Nugget Building), Suite 312, Hanover, NH 03755 (downtown Hanover).
• Frank Van Santen, PhD
  • (603) 755-6535, fvansanten@hanovercbt.com, 45 Lyme Road, Suite 305A, Hanover Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapies, Hanover, NH 03755. https://www.hanovercbt.com/. Will balance-bill for Dartmouth Student Group Health Plan only. Also evaluates for autism spectrum. Offers free initial consultation. Advance Transit (Southbound Green Line at Parkhurst to Southbound Brown Line at W. Wheelock to 45 Lyme Road stop). Note: Dr. Van Santen is married to Student Accessibility Services Director Dr. Alison May. All professional boundaries, including student confidentiality and privacy, will be respected.
• Peter Isquith, PhD, ABPdN
  • (603) 643-1999, Peter@Qpsych.com, Colton Center, 221 US Rte. 5 So, Unit 15, Norwich, VT. [Note: Dr. Isquith is fluent in American Sign Language.] Mon–Fri; Advance Transit (Green Line to Hopson Rd. stop) or transportation to/from campus provided.
• John Randolph, PhD, ABPP-CN
  • (603) 448-6779, john.randolph@randolphnp.com, Randolph Neuropsychology Associates, PLLC 20 W. Park Street, Suite 215, Lebanon, NH 03766. Available Mon–Fri; Advance Transit (Blue Line to Lebanon Mall stop).
• Richard Root, EdD, ABPP
  • (802) 885-5719, docroot@vermontel.net, Twin State Psychological Services, P.O. Box 2003, Springfield, VT 05156. Mon–Fri; Bus – MOOver. ("Car is much easier"). In-network for Dartmouth Student Group Health Plan. Offers free initial consultation. Note: Dr. Root also does autism spectrum evaluations but requests that students who are primarily exploring difficulties with learning foreign languages approach the other psychologists first.
• Stern Center for Language and Learning
  • (802) 878-2332, learning@sterncenter.org, 183 Talcott Road, Suite 101, Williston, VT 05495 (near Burlington). https://sterncenter.org