Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP)

Coming to LEAP

LEAP is located at 1 Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, Boston, MA 02114.

Directions and parking

LEAP Address: 1 Bowdoin Square, 7th Floor, Boston MA 02114. Learn more about our mask policy.

1 Bowdoin Square is located on the corner of Cambridge Street and New Chardon Street, approximately 0.5 miles from the Massachusetts General Hospital’s Main Campus.

There is no parking at our building. We recommend parking in the MGH main campus garages, where you will pay the patient rate. It takes approximately 15 minutes to walk to our building from MGH. There is also a free shuttle service between the MGH main campus and Bowdoin, which the Information Desk inside the main hospital can call for you (please allow 20-25 minutes for shuttle arrival). Please note that parking fees at nearby commercial garages vary vastly in prices, and we cannot validate for these parking expenses.

Our building is accessible via public transportation. There are several nearby MBTA stations:

• Bowdoin Station (Blue Line): 0.0 miles (~1-minute walk)
• Government Center Station (Green Line): 0.2 miles (~4-minute walk)
• Haymarket Station (Orange Line): 0.3 miles (~7-minute walk)
• North Station (Commuter Rail): 0.4 miles (~10-minute walk)
• Charles/MGH Station (Red Line): 0.4 miles (~10-minute walk)
• Park Street Station (Red Line): 0.4 miles (~10-minute walk)

What to bring

• Current Individual Education Plan (IEP) or 504 Plan, if applicable. An IEP specifies academic services and accommodations that your child receives. It is reviewed once a year and contains goals and a service delivery plan. A 504 plan specifies academic accommodations that your child receives and is also reviewed once a year. It is helpful to us to see your child’s current IEP or 504 plan. This is different from the Progress Reports, which we do not need.
• Most recent school evaluations, if applicable. Reports may include one or more of the following: Psychological Testing, Educational Testing, Speech-Language Evaluation, Occupational Therapy Evaluation, Classroom Observation. This is applicable if your child has ever been evaluated by the public schools, and/or if they currently have an IEP.
• All previous test reports conducted outside the school system or outside Mass General Brigham, if applicable. This is applicable if your child has ever been evaluated outside the school system or outside of the Mass General Brigham system (this could be by a psychologist, neuropsychologist, hospital clinic, speech-language therapist, or another provider).
• Food. It’s a long day, please bring snacks and lunch for your child (there are also local options for purchasing lunch outside of our building). There is no cafeteria in the building.
• Medication. Unless otherwise directed by your child’s neuropsychologist, your child should take medications as they always do. Call with any questions (particularly if you question whether their attention medication is helping).
• Quiet activity. Your child may have some free time during breaks – please bring a quiet activity for them to engage in independently (for example, a book, iPad with headphones, etc.). Parents/guardians should also bring a quiet activity as they must remain on site for patients under age 18 and will often spend significant time in the waiting room. We have free public WiFi in our waiting room.
• Glasses/Hearing Aid. If your child wears glasses or a corrective hearing device, please bring them.
• Payment. Self pays or co-payments, if applicable, will be collected at the time of your visit. Payment may be made by credit, debit, FSA, or HSA.

Our clinical services

Evaluation and assessment services

Neuropsychological Testing. LEAP evaluations are usually completed in several steps:

• Parent/Guardian Intake. During the intake session, the neuropsychologist meets with parents/guardians to discuss your child’s history and your presenting concerns. If available, parents/guardians will be asked to provide documentation of the following: 1) prior neuropsychological or psychoeducational (school-based) evaluations, 2) school accommodation or special education plans (i.e., 504 plan or individualized education program), and 3) relevant medical records (TBD).
• Testing Appointment. Neuropsychological tests are specifically designed to measure cognitive (intellectual, language, memory, and executive function skills), academic (reading, writing, and math skills), social, and emotional skills that are linked to brain development. Tests are standardized so that the neuropsychologist can compare a child’s functioning to others at the same age or developmental stage to better understand a child’s strengths and weaknesses. Please note that academic testing is not covered by insurance; if needed, the neuropsychologist will discuss this during the intake session. Testing appointments typically last a few hours, and we strive to make all children and their families comfortable during this time.
• Parent/Guardian Feedback and Report. The neuropsychologist will integrate information from the clinical interview, behavioral observations, standardized questionnaires that are typically completed by parents/guardians and/or school personnel, and test findings. The neuropsychologist prepares a comprehensive report, which includes diagnoses, recommendations, and treatment strategies to help your child achieve greater success at school and at home. Several weeks after the testing session, the neuropsychologist will then meet with the parents to review the findings and recommendations. Sometimes, feedback is also provided to the child. The written report will be provided to the parent/guardian and included in the MGH medical record.

Care Coordination. As needed, we report our findings and discuss effective treatment strategies with the child's teachers, school professionals, and/or mental health providers (therapists, psychologists, psychiatrists). Please note that school meetings are not covered by insurance.

Re-Evaluations. Re-evaluations can help to monitor a child’s developmental progress and response to interventions. In collaboration with treating providers, your child’s neuropsychologist can recommend a re-evaluation.

Consultation. Consultation services are available to established families who have targeted questions about their child’s progress. Consultation services are also available to providers within select Mass General Brigham practices.

Educational consulting services

Gretchen L. Timmel, M.Ed., Educational Specialist, Learning and Emotional Assessment Program (LEAP)

Areas of expertise:

• Language Based Learning Disabilities (e.g. Dyslexia)
• ADHD and Executive Functioning
• Mathematics Disorder (Dyscalculia)
• Nonverbal Learning Disorders (NVLD)
• Autism Spectrum Disorder
• Neurological Disorders (e.g. Epilepsy)
• Curriculum Planning

Frequently asked questions

How do I schedule an appointment for my child?

The first step is for your child’s Mass General Brigham provider to place a referral to our clinic via Epic (order number REF13228). Please note that due to high demand, as of November 5th, 2022, LEAP is only accepting new patient referrals from providers within the Mass General Brigham Healthcare System. We are currently unable to accept referrals for new patients who do not have a Mass General Brigham provider. If you are an established family with LEAP requesting a re-evaluation, we will accept a self-referral even if your child does not have a Mass General Brigham provider. Please let us know (via phone or email) if this is your situation and we will provide further information about how to place a referral. Please note that referrals are needed for all evaluations, even if you have been seen at LEAP in the past.

Once we receive a referral, our insurance team will determine if prior authorization is required by the child’s primary insurance. Please ensure that your child’s insurance information is up to date in their MGH medical record. To update your information, please call Patient Registration at 866-211-6588.

We schedule in the order in which we receive referrals, and we will reach out to you to schedule your appointment as soon as possible. Please be advised that due to high referral volume, patients over 4 years old should expect to receive a scheduling call from our clinic approximately 11 months from the date of referral. The wait time for children under 4 years old is shorter. Please ensure that your contact information is up to date in the child’s MGH medical record. To update your information, please call Patient Registration at 866-211-6588.

How long is your wait list?

Patients over 4 years old should expect to receive a scheduling call from our clinic approximately 11 months from the date of referral. The wait time for children under 4 years old is shorter. We schedule in the order in which we receive referrals, and we will reach out to you to schedule your appointment as soon as possible.

What should I tell my child prior to the testing session?

For young children, you might tell them that they are going to meet with a doctor to do some activities like the ones they do at school so the doctor can figure out how they learn best. For adolescents, you might tell them that they are going to meet with a doctor to do a variety of tests that will help the doctor to figure out how they learn best. It may be helpful to tell your child that they can’t study for these tests and that they aren’t expected to get everything right—they are only expected to try their best.

Who gets the final report? Who will see the results?

A copy of the report will be provided to the legal guardian after the feedback appointment, and will also be posted in the child's electronic medical record at Mass General Brigham.

My insurance won't pay for testing. What should I do?

Self-pay is always an option for families. Please note that most insurance plans will not cover the cost of testing for learning disabilities. Please contact your insurance company directly if you have questions about your co-pay or deductible. Another option is to explore school sponsored testing (children are entitled to a free evaluation through their local school district) by contacting your local school district's special education department.

Do you offer educational testing? Is there a fee?

Yes, we offer an educational testing service, which includes comprehensive assessment of reading, writing and math skills. Educational testing is not covered by insurance plans, so we charge a flat fee of $1800 for this service. You and your provider will determine if educational testing is necessary. This discussion will take place during the parent/guardian intake interview (typically a virtual visit) and you will decide if you want to add this service to your neuropsychological evaluation appointment. Payment is due at the time of service.

My child was seen at LEAP in the past. How do I get a copy of the report?

Please contact Medical Records for additional copies of the report from a prior assessment.