IMPACT PSYCHOLOGICAL SERVICES
SENSORY PROCESSING EVALUATION IN WESTCHESTER, NY
Comprehensive Testing to Understand Your Child's Sensory Needs
When your child struggles with sensory sensitivities, everyday activities can become overwhelming challenges.
From difficulty concentrating in school to meltdowns over clothing textures, sensory processing differences can significantly impact your family's quality of life and your child's development.
At IMPACT Psychological Services, we provide comprehensive sensory processing evaluations that go beyond surface behaviors to understand the underlying neurological patterns affecting your child. Our integrative approach combines cutting-edge assessment techniques with personalized recommendations tailored to your child's unique sensory profile.
Located in the heart of Westchester County, our Mamaroneck office offers families convenient access to specialized sensory processing expertise. We understand the local educational landscape and work closely with Westchester schools to ensure your child receives appropriate accommodations and support services.
A sensory processing evaluation is a comprehensive assessment that examines how your child's nervous system receives, processes, and responds to sensory information from their environment.
This detailed evaluation helps identify specific areas where sensory processing differences may be impacting daily functioning, academic performance, and social interactions.
Our evaluation process begins with a thorough clinical interview to understand your child's developmental history, current challenges, and family concerns.
We then utilize standardized assessment tools, observational measures, and sensory questionnaires to create a complete picture of your child's sensory processing patterns. This includes examining responses to touch, movement, visual input, auditory stimuli, and other sensory experiences.
The assessment process typically spans multiple sessions, allowing us to observe your child's sensory responses in various contexts and environments. We evaluate both hyper-responsiveness (over-reaction to sensory input) and hypo-responsiveness (under-reaction to sensory input), as well as sensory seeking behaviors and sensory avoiding patterns.
Following the evaluation, you'll receive a comprehensive report detailing your child's sensory profile, specific areas of difficulty, and detailed recommendations for interventions. These recommendations often include strategies for home and school environments, potential occupational therapy referrals, and accommodations that can support your child's success in academic and social settings.
Start Your Child's Sensory Assessment Journey
KEY BENEFITS
Take the First Step Towards Healing
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Many children with sensory processing differences are misunderstood as being "difficult," "picky," or "oversensitive." Our comprehensive evaluation reveals the neurological basis behind these behaviors, helping families understand that sensory challenges are real and treatable. We examine how sensory processing affects everything from eating and sleeping to learning and social interactions.
In Westchester's competitive academic environment, undiagnosed sensory processing issues can significantly impact school performance. Children may struggle to focus in noisy classrooms, have difficulty with handwriting due to tactile sensitivities, or become overwhelmed by busy hallways and cafeterias. Our assessment identifies these specific challenges and provides concrete strategies for success.
Our detailed findings help transform family dynamics by replacing frustration with understanding. When parents recognize that their child's behaviors stem from neurological differences rather than defiance, they can respond with appropriate support and accommodations that promote positive outcomes and family harmony.
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Every sensory processing evaluation at IMPACT concludes with personalized, actionable recommendations designed specifically for your child's unique profile. These aren't generic suggestions, but detailed strategies based on your child's specific sensory patterns, developmental level, and environmental needs.
Our recommendations address home, school, and community environments, recognizing that Westchester families often navigate multiple settings, including competitive academic programs, extracurricular activities, and social situations. We provide specific modifications for classroom settings, homework routines, social gatherings, and recreational activities that are common in our local community.
We also connect families with appropriate resources within Westchester County, including occupational therapists who specialize in sensory integration, educational advocates familiar with local school districts, and support groups for parents navigating similar challenges. This local expertise ensures your family receives culturally relevant and practically applicable support.
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Westchester County schools are required to provide appropriate accommodations for students with documented sensory processing needs, but securing these services often requires comprehensive professional documentation. Our detailed evaluation reports provide the clinical evidence necessary to advocate for your child's educational needs.
Our reports include specific recommendations for classroom accommodations such as preferential seating, sensory breaks, modified assignments, and environmental adjustments. We understand the local educational landscape and format our recommendations in ways that align with school district procedures and IEP/504 plan requirements.
When necessary, our clinicians can participate in school meetings to explain evaluation findings and advocate for appropriate services. This professional support helps ensure your child receives necessary accommodations without families having to navigate the special education system alone. Many Westchester families have successfully secured sensory accommodations using our comprehensive evaluation documentation.
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A comprehensive sensory processing evaluation examines all sensory systems, not just the commonly recognized five senses. We assess vestibular processing (balance and movement), proprioceptive awareness (body position), and interoceptive sensitivity (internal body signals) alongside visual, auditory, tactile, gustatory, and olfactory processing patterns.
This thorough assessment reveals the interconnected nature of sensory processing challenges. For example, a child who appears "hyperactive" may actually be seeking vestibular input to regulate their nervous system, while a child who seems "inattentive" might be overwhelmed by auditory processing demands in typical classroom environments.
Understanding your child's complete sensory profile enables more effective interventions and prevents well-meaning adults from inadvertently increasing sensory stress. Our evaluation results in a detailed sensory profile that serves as a roadmap for supporting your child's unique nervous system throughout their development.
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IMPACT's founders, Dr. Talya Cohen and Dr. Tracy Prout, bring advanced postdoctoral training in psychological assessment and evidence-based interventions to Westchester County families. Their expertise in neuropsychological evaluation ensures that sensory processing assessments are conducted within the context of overall cognitive and emotional development.
Our location in Mamaroneck provides convenient access to specialized sensory processing expertise without requiring families to travel to New York City. We understand the unique pressures facing Westchester families and tailor our services to address both sensory processing needs and the high-achievement expectations common in our community.
The IMPACT team's integrative approach means that sensory processing evaluations consider the whole child, including emotional regulation, social development, and academic functioning. This comprehensive perspective leads to more effective recommendations and better outcomes for children and families throughout Westchester County.
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Sensory processing differences are lifelong neurological variations that require ongoing understanding and accommodation rather than "fixing" or "curing." Our evaluation process focuses on building your family's capacity to recognize, understand, and support your child's sensory needs across different developmental stages.
We provide families with tools and strategies that grow with their child, from early childhood sensory accommodations through adolescent self-advocacy skills. This includes helping children understand their own sensory needs and develop personal strategies for self-regulation and environmental modification.
Our approach emphasizes building on sensory strengths while accommodating challenges. Many children with sensory processing differences also have unique talents and abilities that can be leveraged for success in academics, creative pursuits, and future career paths. We help families recognize and nurture these strengths while addressing areas of difficulty.
Service Catagories
Together, we navigate the journey toward healing, resilience, and positive change. See how we can help you.
Neuropsychological Assessment
Our comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations examine cognitive, academic, attention, developmental, and social-emotional functioning alongside sensory processing patterns. This thorough assessment provides a complete picture of your child's strengths and challenges, ensuring that sensory processing differences are understood within the context of overall development and learning. $6,000 - $7,500 | 7-9 hours of testing plus comprehensive report.
Targeted Sensory Processing Assessment
Focused evaluation specifically examining sensory processing patterns and their impact on daily functioning. This assessment is ideal when sensory processing concerns are the primary area of interest and provides detailed recommendations for sensory accommodations and interventions. $4,000 - $5,700 | 3-6 hours of testing plus detailed report
Educational Accommodation Assessment
Specialized evaluation designed to document sensory processing needs for educational accommodations and IEP/504 plan development. This assessment focuses specifically on how sensory processing affects academic performance and classroom functioning. $2,750 - $3,300 | Streamlined process for educational documentation
Therapeutic Assessment
A unique combination of assessment and intervention that examines sensory processing within a therapeutic context. This approach provides immediate insights and strategies while gathering comprehensive evaluation data, making it particularly valuable for children who may be anxious about testing. $5,000 - $6,000 | Includes intervention sessions and family meetings
Our Process
STEP TWO
Comprehensive Testing Sessions
The evaluation process involves multiple testing sessions totaling 3-9 hours, depending on the assessment type selected. We use standardized sensory processing measures, observational tools, and clinical interviews to examine your child's responses to various sensory inputs. Testing is conducted in our comfortable Mamaroneck office environment designed to minimize sensory distractions and optimize your child's performance.
STEP ONE
Initial Consultation and Intake
Your sensory processing evaluation begins with a comprehensive intake session where we gather detailed information about your child's developmental history, current challenges, and family concerns. We explore specific sensory behaviors, environmental triggers, and the impact of sensory issues on daily activities, school performance, and family life. This session typically lasts one hour and helps us design a customized assessment plan.
STEP THREE
Analysis and Report Development
Following testing, our clinicians spend extensive time analyzing results, integrating findings, and developing comprehensive recommendations. This process involves 4-10 hours of scoring, interpretation, and report writing to ensure you receive detailed, actionable insights about your child's sensory processing patterns and specific strategies for support and accommodation.
STEP FOUR
Feedback and Planning Session
We conclude the evaluation process with a detailed feedback session where we review findings, explain your child's sensory profile, and discuss specific recommendations for home, school, and community settings. This 1-2 hour session ensures you understand the results and feel confident implementing suggested strategies and accommodations.
STEP FIVE
Ongoing Support and Follow-up
IMPACT provides ongoing consultation as you implement recommendations and navigate school accommodation processes. We're available to clarify report findings, participate in school meetings when needed, and provide additional guidance as your child's sensory needs evolve over time.
Our Approach
At IMPACT Psychological Services, our approach to sensory processing evaluation is grounded in the understanding that sensory differences are neurological variations rather than deficits to be eliminated.
We believe in celebrating each child's unique sensory profile while providing practical strategies to support success in daily life, academic settings, and social situations.
Our integrative methodology combines evidence-based assessment tools with clinical observation and family input to create a comprehensive understanding of your child's sensory processing patterns. We examine not just areas of difficulty, but also sensory strengths and preferences that can be leveraged to support overall development and well-being. This strengths-based perspective helps families move from managing problems to optimizing their child's potential.
The evaluation process is designed to be child-friendly and accommodating to various sensory needs. Our Mamaroneck office provides a calm, controlled environment where children can demonstrate their true capabilities without sensory overwhelm. We adapt our assessment approach based on each child's individual needs, ensuring accurate results that reflect genuine sensory processing patterns rather than testing anxiety or environmental distractions.
We recognize that families in Westchester County often face unique pressures related to academic achievement and extracurricular participation. Our recommendations address these local realities by providing strategies that support sensory needs while enabling children to participate successfully in competitive academic environments, sports programs, and social activities common in our community. This practical, community-focused approach ensures that our evaluation results translate into real-world success for children and families.
FAQs
IMPACT Psychological Services has been providing comprehensive psychological testing and therapy services to Westchester County families from our Mamaroneck location since our founding. Our licensed psychologists specialize in evidence-based assessments that support children, adolescents, and adults in achieving their full potential across academic, social, and personal domains.
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The complete evaluation process typically takes 3-6 weeks from initial consultation to feedback session. Testing sessions range from 3-9 hours, depending on the assessment type, with additional time needed for scoring and report development. We schedule testing across multiple appointments to prevent sensory fatigue and ensure accurate results.
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Many insurance plans provide out-of-network benefits for psychological testing. We've partnered with Mentaya to help families maximize their insurance benefits and reduce out-of-pocket costs. Our team can provide the necessary documentation for insurance reimbursement and help you understand your coverage options.
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Psychological sensory processing evaluations provide comprehensive clinical documentation suitable for educational accommodations and treatment planning. While occupational therapists focus on intervention strategies, our evaluations offer the detailed clinical analysis often required for school-based services and insurance coverage of ongoing therapies.
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Yes, we provide sensory processing assessments for adolescents and adults. Many adults seek evaluation after recognizing sensory patterns in themselves while advocating for their children, or when sensory processing differences begin impacting work performance or daily functioning in significant ways.
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We provide detailed preparation information prior to your appointment, including suggestions for explaining the process to your child. Our child-friendly approach helps reduce anxiety, and we encourage parents to share information about their child's specific sensory preferences so we can accommodate their needs during testing.