Jacquie Avery, Ph.D.

Accurate diagnosis should only be a small part of neuropsychology services. Dr. Avery strives to take a collaborative approach with families to help define and answer a family’s specific questions. Dr. Avery works with families to develop a better understanding of their child, know how to better advocate for their child, and jointly develop a roadmap to help a child “be their best self” in the long-run. Dr. Avery is knowledgeable about the special education system and other services that a child may qualify for, and will support families in accessing needed services after the evaluation is complete.

Dr. Avery earned a PhD from Wayne State University’s Clinical Psychology program, which is accredited by the American Psychological Association. She completed her residency training through the Children’s Hospitals of Minnesota, and conducted fellowship training in pediatric neuropsychology at the University of Minnesota Medical School. She has subsequently worked with youth who present with a range of neurodevelopmental, medical, and psychiatric concerns through positions at the Fraser Autism Center of Excellence in Minneapolis and the Children’s Hospital of Michigan in Detroit. Her training in both medical and mental health settings has given her expertise in understanding the range of medical, neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, and environmental factors that impact development.

Dr. Avery is the proud parent of three school-aged children and an endearing, yet incorrigible, goldendoodle. She oversees the care of her older brother who has spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy and has learned much, personally and professionally, about long-term care planning for individuals with developmental disabilities. She has also personally supported family members with dyslexia and ADHD in successfully navigating the public schools and special education system.

Examples of referral questions that Dr. Avery has seen in the recent past:

My two-year-old isn’t talking yet. Is that normal?
Does my child have Autism? A learning disability? ADHD? Anxiety? All of the above?
My child didn’t qualify for special education services, but I see her struggling so much. What can I do to help her?
Why does my child seem less mature than his older siblings?
Why is my child not taking initiative?
My child has _____ medical condition. How does it impact her learning and thinking skills?
My child takes medication to treat ADHD and we are still seeing lots of behavior problems. Is there something else going on?
Will my child ‘grow out’ of this behavior, or is there more going on that we can help with now
My child may have been exposed to alcohol during pregnancy. Did this affect him?
I already know my child has Autism. Am I doing all I can to support her?
I already know my child has dyslexia. He has been getting support in school and through tutoring. Is it helping?
Is my child gifted? Should I transfer him to another school so that he is better challenged academically?
My child has spina bifida and is preparing to graduate from high school. I would like some help thinking about her life after high school.

Services that Dr. Avery provides:

An initial “consultation” service is typically the first step that includes interviews, a review of records, and parent-completed rating scales. Many families appreciate an outsider’s perspective to review other evaluations and educational services. This is often helpful in determining whether additional testing is necessary.
After the initial consultation, Dr. Avery and the family may decide that additional testing would be helpful to help determine individual strengths and weaknesses, clarify diagnoses, and document eligibility for services.
Dr. Avery will always provide documentation that includes educationally-relevant recommendations for school professionals. Dr. Avery can also attend IEP meetings and collaborate with other providers to help clarify needs. These additional services are provided at Dr. Avery’s hourly rate.
Sometimes parents disagree with schools after the school has conducted an evaluation. In these circumstances, parents can ask the school to pay for a private evaluation at public expense. This is called an Independent Educational Evaluation (or IEE). Dr. Avery will need to discuss the parameters of an IEE with the school district prior to agreeing to accept the IEE.
Dr. Avery provides consultation to other professionals as well (educational professionals, other psychologists). She is able to speak to parent and professional organizations about topics related to development, neurodevelopmental differences, and interventions to support functioning. Please contact Dr. Avery directly to discuss your individual needs.