Neuropsychological Assessment & Therapy For Children & Adolescents
In Amarillo and the Texas Panhandle
Dr. Avirett is not currently taking new patients. Previous clients needing documentation or an updated evaluation can email, call, or text Dr. Avirett to set up an appointment.
Who is Dr. Avirett?
Dr. Erin Avirett, Ph.D. is a licensed psychologist currently serving Amarillo, Texas and the surrounding area. She has also held her Licensed Specialist in School Psychology (LSSP) license since 2012. Dr. Avirett graduated with her Ph.D. in School Psychology, with a specialization in School Neuropsychology, in 2011 from Texas Woman's University. She then completed a two-year post-doctoral fellowship at West Texas A&M University, where she worked with collegiate students requiring neuropsychological evaluations, psychological evaluations, and personal therapy. WTAMU is also Dr. Avirett's undergraduate alma mater. She graduated Summa Cum Laude from WTAMU with a B.A. in Psychology in 2006. Dr. Avirett has worked and trained in a variety of settings, including the school district, out-patient hospital, private practice, and university settings. She has completed over a dozen regional and national publications and presentations, with her primary research interest being: executive functioning, traumatic brain injury, cognitive rehabilitation, and social skills training for autism spectrum disorders. She has served on boards of local, panhandle non profit organizations, such as Turn Center and the Women's Philanthropy Fund, and is an active member in her church. She enjoys exploring the Texas Panhandle with her husband and two boys.
How do I contact Dr. Avirett?
You can call 806.513.2008 and leave a message on Dr. Avirett's voicemail. Dr. Avirett's office will return most calls within 1 to 2 business days. Voice calls are secure and HIPAA compliant. You may also text 806.513.2008, but note that text messages are not HIPAA compliant. You may also send a message through the "contact" tab of this website, or, email avirett@erinavirettphd.com or erinavirett@gmail.com. Email messages are not HIPAA compliant; however, Dr. Avirett can help you download a secure messaging forum, per request. Dr. Avirett's office will return emails and texts within 1 business day.
What ages does Dr. Avirett serve?
Dr. Avirett primarily sees children, adolescents, and young adults ages 3 through 25.
Does Dr. Avirett have current openings?
Dr. Avirett is currently taking limited new evaluations. She is not taking new therapy clients. Call 806.513.2008, and listen to the current voicemail, to hear current availabilities.
Does Dr. Avirett take insurance?
No. Dr. Avirett's practice does not currently take insurance or Medicaid. However, itemized bills can be provided, which the patient's family may submit to insurance for reimbursement. Dr. Avirett can provide expected costs, hours, and CPT codes, upon request. The patient's family can use the information to determine potential insurance reimbursement, prior to scheduling therapy or an evaluation.
What all is involved in an evaluation?
An evaluation typically consists of 3-4 appointments. The first is the parent consultation meeting, which takes approximately one hour. Your child does not need to be at this meeting. The next one to two appointments are direct testing appointments with your child. These are typically scheduled in one or two 3 hour blocks of time. For children under 6, Dr. Avirett asks that parents stay nearby during the appointment. For older children, parents may leave during the testing appointments, but be prepared to pick your child up for lunch, if they are scheduled for a full day appointment. After the final testing session, Dr. Avirett typically spends 3-6 hours scoring the tests and writing a comprehensive report. The final feedback session is usually scheduled 7-14 days after the final testing session. This appointment takes 60-90 minutes and is where Dr. Avirett will review the results of testing and recommendations for the home and school settings.
Can Dr. Avirett go to my child's school?
Yes. Dr. Avirett can observe your child in the school setting, collect information directly from teachers, and provide strategies to parents and teachers to help your child ideally learn and behave in the educational setting.
Can I ask my school to test my child?
Yes! If your child has an educational need for testing or services at school, you may request an evaluation. The best way to proceed is typically to write a letter or email to the school principal or assistant principal outlining your child's educational need for an evaluation. They should respond to you within 14 days. If the school agrees to complete an evaluation, they have 45 school days (approximately 9 school weeks) from the time you sign the consent to finish the evaluation. They then have 30 days to meet for an ARD meeting, which is where you will discuss the report as a group, and decide if your child would benefit from accommodations and/ or modifications in the school setting.
What is the difference between the school's testing Dr. Avirett's evaluation?
The school-based testing is focused on your child's school experience and their educational need for services. Professionals within the school will assess your child's cognitive skills, behaviors, social skills, emotions, and/or academic skills in order to determine if they meet eligibility for a federally recognized disability category. School-based evaluations are free and are often a great place to start. The time frame from first requesting the evaluation to having the final meeting typically takes several months.
Dr. Avirett's testing extends beyond an educational need for testing and assesses your child's strengths and weaknesses in the home and school settings. Dr. Avirett utilizes neuropsychological testing to gather complex information regarding how your child's brain processes information.