Neuropsychological Evaluations
For children, teens, and young adults
In my private practice, Ellen Braaten, PhD & Associates, my colleagues and I provide neuropsychological evaluations for children, teens, and young adults. Neuropsychological evaluations involve a comprehensive assessment of cognitive, academic, and socioemotional/behavioral functioning, and are an important tool for understanding your child's personal strengths and weaknesses, identifying diagnoses, and accessing appropriate interventions at school and in your community. My associates and I have expertise in assessing learning disabilities, attention and executive function challenges, information processing speed weaknesses, anxiety, depression, exposure to stressful life events, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. During the COVID-19 pandemic, both virtual and in-person testing is offered.
Ellen Braaten, PhD & Associates is located in Charlestown (Boston), Massachusetts. Our convenient location has parking and is close to public transportation (Orange Line), restaurants, and shopping.
If you are interested in having your child evaluated, please complete our parent referral form or contact us with any questions. We typically can schedule evaluations with Dr. Braaten or an associate within 6 to 8 weeks of request.
Please see our Privacy Practices here.
Associates
Hillary Bush, PhD
Dr. Hillary Bush is the Clinical Director of Ellen Braaten, PhD & Associates. She is a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts (#10704), California (#33683), Rhode Island (#PS02043), and Connecticut (#4167), with expertise in child neuropsychological assessment, consultation, and brief intervention. She has been affiliated with Ellen Braaten, PhD & Associates since 2017. A Massachusetts native, Dr. Bush earned her BA at Wellesley College and PhD at the University of Massachusetts Boston. She completed internship training at the Indiana University School of Medicine and postdoctoral training at the MGH Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP). From 2017 to 2020, Dr. Bush served as a staff psychologist and faculty member at LEAP, and as an Instructor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Bush has published her research in top-tier academic journals, and she enjoys writing about psychology topics for the general public too. In addition to her assessment work at Ellen Braaten, PhD & Associates, Dr. Bush is the owner and founder of Sweater Season Psychological Services, PLLC, and she teaches undergraduate and doctoral students as an Associate Lecturer at the University of Massachusetts Boston.
Selected Publications
Bush, H. H., Williams, L. W., & Mendes, E. (2020). Brief report: Asexuality and young women on the autism
spectrum. Journal of Autism and Developmental Disorders, 51(2), 725-733. 10.1007/s10803-020-04565-6
La Roche, M., Bush, H. H., & D’Angelo, E. (2018). Cultural considerations in the assessment and treatment of
autism spectrum disorders. Practice Innovations, 3(2), 107-122. https://doi.org/10.1037/pri0000067
Bush, H. H., Cohen, S, Eisenhower, A., & Blacher, J. (2017). Understanding parental expectations for the school
experiences of young children with autism spectrum disorder. Education and Training in Autism and
Developmental Disabilities, 52(4), 357-368. https://www.jstor.org/stable/26420410
Bush, H. H., Eisenhower, A., Briggs-Gowan, M., & Carter, A. S. (2014). Validation of the structured attention modules (SAM): An executive function assessment for preschoolers. Child Neuropsychology, 21(2), 167-190. https://doi.org/10.1080/09297049.2014.886676
Charles Cederberg, PhD
Dr. Charles Cederberg is a licensed psychologist in Massachusetts and licensed mental health counselor in Iowa. He recently completed a two-year postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology at the MGH Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP). He has been affiliated with Ellen Braaten, PhD & Associates since 2021. Dr. Cederberg has expertise in providing neuropsychological evaluations with children, adolescents, and young adults with diverse presenting developmental, medical, and psychiatric concerns. Dr. Cederberg earned his BA at North Park University in Chicago, IL, and MA in mental health counseling at Boston College. He subsequently worked as a mental health counselor in the Greater Boston area for approximately three years providing various therapeutic services and consultative services for schools until transitioning to his doctoral studies at The University of Iowa. During that time, he worked part-time as an accommodations analyst at ACT, Inc., gaining first-hand experience with high-stakes testing accommodations for students with disabilities in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Dr. Cederberg completed internship training at Johns Hopkins All-Children’s Hospital in Saint Petersburg, FL, specializing in pediatric neuropsychology and autism spectrum disorder assessment. He has published his research in journals such as Research in Developmental Disabilities, Gifted Child Quarterly, High Ability Studies, Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, and Professional Psychology: Research and Practice related to twice-exceptionality, autism spectrum disorder, teleneuropsychology, and the intersection of professional psychology and commerce.
Selected Publications
Gardner, L., Cederberg, C., Hangauer, J., & Campbell, J. (2022). Law enforcement officers’ interactions
with autistic individuals: Commonly reported incidents and use of force. Research in Developmental Disabilities, 131, 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2022.104371
Ransom, D.M., Butt, S.M., DiVirgilio, E.K., Cederberg, C.D., Srnka, K.D., Hess, C.T., Sy, M.C., &
Katzenstein, J.M. (2020). Pediatric teleneuropsychology: Feasibility and recommendations. Archives of Clinical Neuropsychology, 35, 1204-1214. https://doi.org/10.1093/arclin/acaa103
Cederberg, C., Gann, L., Foley-Nicpon, M., & Sussman, Z. (2018) ASD screening measures
for high ability youth with ASD: Examining the ASSQ and SRS. Gifted Child Quarterly, 62(2), 220–229. https://doi.org/10.1177/0016986217752098
Foley-Nicpon, M., Assouline, S., Kivlighan, D.M., Fosenburg, S.L., Cederberg, C., & Nanji, M.
(2017). The effects of a social and talent development intervention for high ability youth with social skill difficulties. High Ability Studies, 28(1), 73-92. https://doi.org/10.1080/13598139.2017.1298997
Foley-Nicpon, M, Cederberg, C., & Wienkes, C. (2021). Autism Spectrum Disorder. In Critical issues and
practices in gifted education: What the research says (3rd ed.) Callahan, C.M., & Plucker, J.A. Prufrock Press, Inc.
Nathan Cook, PhD
Dr. Nathan Cook is a licensed psychologist with expertise in pediatric neuropsychology. He specializes in neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation for children and adolescents who have neurodevelopmental disorders, psychological health conditions, and acquired cognitive difficulties related to traumatic injury or critical illness. He has been affiliated with Ellen Braaten, PhD & Associates since 2015. Dr. Cook was born and raised in Massachusetts, and attended Bridgewater State College for his undergraduate degree. He received his PhD in clinical psychology at the University of Rhode Island and completed his clinical internship at Massachusetts General Hospital/Harvard Medical School. He then completed a three-year clinical-research fellowship in neuropsychology at Massachusetts General Hospital, Spaulding Rehabilitation Network, and Harvard Medical School. Dr. Cook is a staff psychologist at the MassGeneral Hospital for Children Sports Concussion Program, is appointed to the clinical and research staff at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, and is an Assistant Professor of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Cook has an active research program related to pediatric neuropsychology, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), concussion, and traumatic brain injury. He has published his research in highly regarded scientific journals including The Journal of Pediatrics, Child Neuropsychology, Journal of Developmental & Behavioral Pediatrics, and Journal of Neurotrauma.
Amanda Ward, PhD
Dr. Amanda Ward is a licensed psychologist with extensive training in neuropsychological, psychological and educational assessment. She also has expertise in working with young children and providing developmental assessments. Dr. Ward earned her bachelor's degree and PhD at Loyola University Chicago, where she also played Division I soccer. She completed internship training at Stanford Children's Hospital/Children's Health Council in Palo Alto, CA, as well as her postdoctoral training at the MGH Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP). Dr. Ward has been affiliated with Ellen Braaten, PhD & Associates since 2016. From 2016 to 2020, Dr. Ward served as a staff psychologist and faculty member at LEAP, and as an Instructor of Psychology at Harvard Medical School. Dr. Ward’s work has previously been published in journals such as the Journal of Pediatric Psychology, the Journal of Early Adolescence, the Journal of Racial and Ethnic Health Disparities and the Journal of Communication Disorders. She has presented at international meetings for the Society for Research in Child Development and the Society for Research in Adolescence, as well as the International Neuropsychological Society.
Selected Publications
Forchelli, G., Vuijk, P., Colvin, M., Ward, A., Koven, M., Dews, A., Doyle, A., & Braaten, E. (2022). What is a processing speed weakness? Importance of cognitive ability when defining processing speed in a child psychiatric population. Child Neuropsychology, 28(2), 266-286. doi.org/10.1080/09297049.2021.1972957
Braaten, E., Ward, A., Forchelli, G., Vuijk, P., Cook, N., McGuinness, P., Lee, B., Samkavitz, A, Lind, H., O’Keefe, S., & Doyle, A. (2020). Characteristics of child psychiatric outpatients with slow processing speed and potential mechanisms of academic impact. European Journal of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, 29(10),1453-1464. 10.1007/s00787-019-01455-w
Ward, A., Bush, H., & Braaten, E. (2018). Reading Disorders and Dyslexia. In H.K Wilson, & E. Braaten (Eds). In Massachusetts General Hospital guide to learning disabilities: Assessing learning needs of children and adolescents. Springer.
Ward, A., Arola, N, Bohnert, A., & Wasserman-Lieb, R. (2017). Social-emotional adjustment and pet ownership among adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Communication Disorders, 65, 35-42. 0.1016/j.jcomdis.2017.01.002
Bates, C., Bohnert, A., Ward, A., Burdette, K., Kliethermes, S., Silton, R., Welch, S., & Dugas R. (2016). Sleep is in for summer: Patterns of sleep and physical activity in urban minority girls. Journal of Pediatric Psychology, 41(6), 692-700. 10.1093/jpepsy/jsw009
Megan Murray, BS
Megan Murray is our Practice Manager. Ms. Murray has been affiliated with Ellen Braaten, PhD & Associates since 2023. Born and raised in Massachusetts, Ms. Murray earned her undergraduate degree in psychology at Salem State University. She is an experienced healthcare administrator, supporting both pediatric and adult patients. Previously, Ms. Murray served as the administrator at the MGH Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP) for 7 years. She continues to enjoy working in administration in both the pediatric and adult fields.
Eva Skoufalos, MA
Eva Skoufalos is a Clinical Psychology doctoral student at William James College. She is pursuing a double concentration in Children and Families of Adversity and Resilience & Neuropsychology. She has been affiliated with Ellen Braaten, PhD & Associates since 2022. Eva received her BA degree in psychology at College of the Holy Cross and her MA in professional psychology at William James College. She has worked as a mental health counselor at McLean Hospital for approximately three years providing various therapeutic services for children, adolescents and young adults. She is currently completing her clinical practicum at Massachusetts General Hospital. Eva’s doctoral research project is related to pediatric psychology, with an emphasis on underserved communities and positive youth development.
Services We Offer
Rates effective January 2022
Neuropsychological Assessment
Range: $4950-6250+
Rates are for in-person testing at our Charlestown, MA office; please inquire for rates for off-site and international evaluations.
Our comprehensive neuropsychological assessments broadly measure cognitive functioning, academic functioning, and socioemotional/behavioral functioning; we include additional measures, as needed, to fully address your questions about your child. Our assessment fee includes a virtual parent interview, in-person testing with your child, communications with health professionals (as necessary, to complete the evaluation), preparation of the written report, and a one-hour virtual feedback session to talk about your child's results. The written report and feedback session are provided within about one month of the testing day.
Neuropsychological/Developmental Assessment of Preschoolers
Range: $3600-3950
Rates are for in-person testing at our Charlestown, MA office; please inquire for rates for off-site and international evaluations.
We offer briefer neuropsychological/developmental evaluations for young children (i.e., 2-1/2 to 4-years-old). Assessments for young children measure cognitive functioning, emerging academic skills, and socioemotional/behavioral functioning; we include additional measures, as needed, to fully address your questions about your child. Assessments of this nature are often helpful for assessing school readiness and guiding parents in their educational decision-making. The assessment fee includes a virtual parent interview, in-person testing with your child, communications with health professionals (as necessary, to complete the evaluation), preparation of the written report, and a one-hour virtual feedback session to talk about your child's results. The written report and feedback session are provided within about one month of the testing day.
Consulting Services
Range: $350-450 per hour
Services above and beyond the scope of the neuropsychological evaluation are billed at our hourly rate, in 15-minute increments. Such services include, but are not limited to, preparing letters and report addenda, and attending special education meetings.
Single-Session Parent Consultation
$675
Dr. Braaten is available for single-session parent consultations. This service includes a one-hour virtual meeting and preparation for the meeting (i.e., review of prior testing documents).
Intelligence Testing
$1250
Dr. Braaten's associates are available to conduct focused assessments with the WISC-V or WAIS-IV, which yield a Full Scale IQ score (FSIQ) and general information about your child's cognitive functioning. Brief assessments of this nature are most often requested for independent school admissions. A written report and brief feedback session are provided within about one week of the testing day.
School Observation
Starting at $3500
Associate Dr. Charles Cederberg provides school observation services, when additional information is needed regarding a patient's current or proposed school setting. A two-hour classroom observation, including clinician travel and a brief written report, begins at $3500. Please contact us for more information and to discuss your observation needs.
Testing FAQs
What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation will provide you with important information about your child’s cognitive, academic, and socioemotional/behavioral functioning. An evaluation can be especially helpful in the following situations:
You want to better understand your child’s personal strengths and weaknesses
You are seeking diagnostic clarity around your child’s difficulties and help developing an intervention plan
Your child is preparing for the next step in their education (for example, applying to high school or college)
Your child was evaluated previously, and you want to measure their progress and response to intervention
Your child was evaluated previously, and you are seeking a second opinion
What is the evaluation process?
Once your evaluation appointment is confirmed by our administrative staff, your clinician may contact you to schedule an initial interview (conducted virtually) with you and/or your child. This is followed by the testing day, which is 4-6 hours long. If you did not already speak to your clinician, they will mostly likely spend the first 20 to 30 minutes of the testing day speaking with you. Testing is usually completed over a single day, although if necessary, we can split testing over two days. With your consent, your clinician will collect data from your child’s teacher(s) and treatment team. About one month following the testing day, your clinician will share a written report with you, and will schedule a feedback session (conducted virtually) with you and/or your child.
Do you accept insurance?
We do not bill insurance companies directly for any services, nor do we communicate with insurance companies about our evaluations. If you would like to use your insurance benefits, we encourage you to contact your insurance company to learn about your out-of-network benefits. Upon completion of the evaluation, we will provide you with a paid invoice, which you may submit to your insurance company for partial reimbursement, if applicable.
What should I bring to the testing appointment?
Please dress comfortably and bring snacks and water for your child (as there will be many opportunities to take breaks during the day!) You may either bring lunch or buy a quick lunch nearby (e.g., Whole Foods, Starbucks). Adults are encouraged to bring books, projects, and electronics (free, secure Wi-Fi is available). Please note that masks are necessary on our premises; if needed, we will provide these for you and your child.
How should I talk with my child about the evaluation?
We encourage you to talk with your child openly and honestly about the evaluation process, and why you think it is important. During your initial interview, your clinician can provide additional guidance around having these conversations. Instead of telling your child that they will be playing “games” (which you can win or lose, and usually are fun), we encourage you to call the testing “activities” (which you cannot win or lose and are more interesting than they are “fun”). We advise against “surprising” your child with the evaluation. Many children do well when they have a reward or special outing to look forward to, after testing.
We encourage you to talk with your child about the results of the evaluation in an honest, age-appropriate manner; at a minimum, we encourage sharing information about personal strengths. In the case of learning differences, many children are relieved to know the results of their evaluation, and that their struggles have an explanation. Depending on your child’s age and developmental level, they are encouraged to participate, at least in part, in the feedback session. Your clinician will provide additional guidance, specific to your child’s situation.