Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some frequently asked questions with respect to our services. Please feel free to email us with additional questions.
Please describe the intake process.
We believe it is a great privilege to walk alongside our clients, and we deeply value relationships. We understand that every family’s journey is unique. We want each and everyone of our clients to feel listened to, heard, and supported. During the intake appointment, we seek to understand clients’ perspectives, values, priorities, and needs. We invite clients to complete comprehensive intake paperwork prior to the initial office visit. Please complete an inquiry form to schedule an initial appointment.
Do you offer services online/virtually?
YES! We are glad you asked! We serve clients throughout the state of Illinois. We offer both in-person and remote consultations. We can provide immediate consultation for families who have specific questions through our “Ask an Advocate” services. These one hour consultations can be scheduled directly online. Families can visit our “Ask an Advocate” page or simply click on the “client portal” link on the upper right corner of our homepage to schedule a session. Many families tell us that they want to pick our brains around a specific concern but aren’t sure if they need to onboard an educational consultant. We developed “Ask an Advocate” to address this very need. We can also attend school meetings or collaborate with school teams and private providers virtually or in person as well. We complete all psychoeducational evaluations in-person at our Wheaton office. We also have access to office space in Deerfield for in-person consultations or evaluations.
Do you accept private pay clients as well as clients who prefer to use their insurance?
YES! We work with clients who prefer to pay privately as well as those who do not have insurance coverage. We are in-network with BCBS-PPO, Aetna, and United Behavioral Health. If we are out of network with your insurance company, you may still be able to receive reimbursement for services rendered. We are happy to provide you with a “super bill” that you may submit to your insurance carrier for possible out-of-network benefits.
Good Faith Estimate
You have the right to receive a “Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical and mental health care will cost. Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the expected charges for medical services. You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency healthcare services, including psychotherapy services. You can ask your heath care provider for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule a service. If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill. Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
Please contact our office at (214)227-7741 if you’d like to request a Good Faith Estimate.
Do you conduct evaluations to determine whether a child has a learning disability or is otherwise eligible for special education services?
We conduct comprehensive cognitive, academic, and social-emotional evaluations to identify children’s unique strengths and needs. We are particularly passionate about evaluating children who struggle with reading (Dyslexia). We also conduct evaluations for children who may qualify for gifted and talented services or who require testing for selective school enrollments. Our evaluators are licensed school psychologists who have conducted countless evaluations to help determine eligibility for special education services and to support educational planning. School districts are required to review and consider results of private evaluations. However, all decisions regarding eligibility and entitlement are made by IEP teams (which include parents as meaningful participants).
If I decide to pursue educational consulting services through Kids First, what happens next?
Our intake process begins with a detailed interview as well as a review of educational records. You will complete initial forms regarding your child's educational history including any interventions, special education evaluations, eligibility, services, and supports. Next, you'll provide your Kids First consultant with copies of your child's current IEP or Section 504 plan (if applicable) as well as previous evaluations and educational documents. After your Kids First consultant has reviewed your child's records, you will meet to discuss initial impressions and to review recommendations. We coach parents in preparation for IEP meetings and discuss strategies for securing needed services and we are also available to attend meetings with families.
What is your approach to executive functioning coaching?
We provide executive functioning (EF) coaching for older elementary, middle school, high school, and college age students. We begin the coaching process with an intake interview. Next, we administer an assessment to determine your child’s executive functioning strengths and needs and develop short and long term goals. Each week our coaches teach and/or practice a new EF skill, actively monitor grades/homework, identify priorities for the upcoming week, plan, and schedule time needed to complete essential tasks such as writing assignments, completing homework, or preparing for tests and quizzes. We believe in the power of growth mindsets, and we continually support your child in developing grit, perseverance, and a positive self-concept.