Why Is My Bright Child Struggling?
Your child is smart. You know it.
Their teachers know it. Deep down, they know it too.
So why are they struggling?
Why does homework take so long?
Why are grades lower than expected?
Why do they seem capable of so much more?
And what does this mean for their future?
I understand these questions personally.
I was accepted to Wesleyan University in 1989 but I eventually had to drop out because something was wrong. I didn’t know what. It felt so awful. People asked why I left school, and what could I say? I assumed I had some character flaw- that I was lazy or stupid or crazy. I felt guilty, embarrassed, and ashamed.
Years later, finally getting better answers changed my life. I didn’t know I had ADHD and an executive functioning learning disorder!
They also changed my relationship with my son. I want the best for him, so I pushed. And he pushed back. But when I evaluated him and got a better understanding of how his mind works, I saw someone who was genuinely trying but facing challenges that weren't obvious to his teachers or us. He and I both have a much clearer picture of who he is and how he operates. That has made a big difference in our relationship.
I WAS THAT BRIGHT, STRUGGLING STUDENT
For years, I struggled to understand why certain things seemed harder for me than they seemed to be for other people.
I was intelligent and capable, but I struggled with time management, procrastination, following through on tasks, and managing the demands of everyday life. From the outside, these difficulties could easily be mistaken for laziness, a lack of motivation, or simply not trying hard enough.
Years later, I learned that ADHD and significant executive functioning difficulties had played an important role in my academic and professional experiences.
That experience changed the way I understand children and adults who are bright, capable, and motivated, but still struggle in ways that others may not see.
Usually, a child does not need to try harder. They may need a better understanding of how they think, learn, focus, and function.
A psychoeducational evaluation can help identify patterns of strengths and weaknesses that may explain why someone is struggling and what types of support may be helpful.
From Personal Experience to Professional Practice.
⭐ 587 Five-Star Reviews
🎓 Serving high school/college students age 16+ and adults
📋 Comprehensive Reports with Practical Recommendations and Accommodation Documentation
Many families come to me because they need documentation for accommodations.
That's important. But what often matters even more is finally understanding what's been getting in the way and having a realistic plan for moving forward.
My evaluations are comprehensive and designed to answer the kinds of questions that schools, colleges, universities, graduate programs, and testing agencies often ask when considering accommodations. Unlike brief ADHD screenings that rely primarily on a single rating scale or interview, my evaluations examine the whole person and may include cognitive, academic, attention, executive functioning, personality, and emotional assessment measures as appropriate.
Depending on the findings, recommendations may include accommodations such as:
-
Extended time on tests and examinations
-
Reduced-distraction testing environments
-
Breaks during lengthy testing sessions
-
Note-taking assistance or access to lecture notes
-
Permission to record lectures
-
Priority course registration
-
Alternative testing formats
-
Assistive technology and software supports
-
Academic coaching or executive functioning support
-
Other individualized accommodations based on documented needs
Because my reports are thorough and provide detailed clinical findings, diagnostic conclusions, and specific recommendations, they are generally well-suited for submission to high schools, colleges, universities, graduate schools, and testing organizations when accommodations are being considered.
Most importantly, my goal is not simply to help students obtain accommodations. My goal is to help them understand themselves better, identify their strengths and challenges, and develop a practical plan for long-term success.
What Families Have Shared About Their Experience:
Dr. Bonanno is the best. Great interactions, very safe space, was able to help my son and our family through what has been a very difficult situation, and now we have hope. Cannot thank him enough and highly recommend!
Paul D
I was a little nervous about my appointment with Dr Bonanno, but he immediately made me feel at ease. I had no trouble opening up and discussing my problem with him. It was very obvious to me that he is a very caring and compassionate person. I am so thankful to have been referred to him. I highly recommend him. Thank you Dr Bonanno!
Betsy Goff
Dr. Bonnano was a soothing, calming comfort for my pain. he seemed to understand exactly what I am experiencing and responded with support and help. I can highly recommend him for anyone with emotional issues.
What to Expect During the Evaluation Process
The evaluation process typically includes the following components:
By the way, I am not interested in blaming parents.
I think psychology has done too much of that already. My goal is to help families understand what's happening, answer difficult questions, and provide practical recommendations that can make a real difference for your student’s future success and wellbeing.
My office is located in the UConn/Storrs area.
I serve adolescents aged 16+ in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island. Most, if not all, of our interactions can be done online, or I’m happy to host you in my beautiful office with a waterfall outside the window.
How much does it cost?
Comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations are not covered by insurance and are provided on a private-pay basis. The fee for a comprehensive evaluation is $4,000 and includes testing, scoring, interpretation, a detailed written report, and a feedback session.
Some families choose to seek reimbursement for out-of-network evaluation services through Sheer Health, a low-cost, HIPAA-compliant platform that submits claims on your behalf and works to maximize reimbursement. I do not have any financial relationship with Sheer Health and are simply sharing this resource as a potential resource for families.
Ready to Get Some Answers?
The first step is a comprehensive clinical consultation, when we'll discuss your concerns, review your student's history, and determine whether a comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation would be helpful.
Insurance may be used for the initial consultation only. We currently accept Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Anthem, Cigna, Oxford, Optum, and United Healthcare. (Sorry, we do not accept state-funded insurance plans.)
To schedule a consultation, please contact our office.
860-222-2633
FAQ
What's the difference between psychological testing and psychoeducational testing?
Many people searching for "psychological testing" or "psychological evaluations" are actually looking for a psychoeducational evaluation. My practice specializes specifically in psychoeducational evaluations for ADHD, executive functioning, learning disabilities, and academic accommodations.
What accommodations can a psychoeducational evaluation recommend?
Recommendations depend on the individual's specific profile. They may include changes to testing conditions, extended time, reduced-distraction environments, assistive technology, organizational supports, or other reasonable accommodations.
Are appointments held via telehealth or in person?
The whole process can actually be done via telehealth, but one of the tests, the WAIS-V, has to be done in person.
Can you provide a superbill for insurance reimbursement?
Yes. Once your payment has been received in full, we can provide a superbill for you to submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Please note that reimbursement is determined by your individual insurance plan.
Please contact SheerHealth.com. For only $45, they will provide :
-
Out-of-network claims management
-
Superbill generation
-
Prior authorization support
-
Gap exception processing
-
Eligibility checks
We have had good results with them and will do whatever is needed to get you reimbursed for as much money as possible. Although please understand that the maximum any insurance company would pay is around $1000. Even if we were to bill it for in-network benefits, that's how much they would pay. This is the reason that testing practices do not accept insurance. They simply do not cover the costs of all the time and money spent to provide a proper evaluation.