Frequently asked questions
Find answers to common questions about rehabilitation services, Life Care Planning, and working with Dr. Smith.
General questions
What services do you provide?
I provide comprehensive rehabilitation services including Life Care Planning, Vocational Evaluation, transition planning for individuals with disabilities, and expert witness services for legal proceedings. My practice focuses on helping individuals navigate important life transitions and supporting legal professionals with objective, evidence-based analysis.
Where are you located?
My office is located at 600 Jefferson St., Suite 1201, Lafayette, LA 70501. While based in Lafayette, I serve clients throughout Louisiana and nationwide through virtual consultations and on-site evaluations as needed.
Do you offer virtual consultations?
Yes. Most consultations can be conducted via phone or video conference, making services accessible regardless of your location. Virtual consultations are particularly useful for initial discussions, ongoing planning meetings, and follow-up sessions.
What populations do you work with?
I work with adolescents and adults with disabilities across a wide range of conditions. While I have specialized expertise in autism spectrum disorders and blindness/visual impairments, my practice serves individuals with developmental, sensory, physical, and cognitive disabilities.
How quickly can you take on new cases?
Availability varies depending on current caseload, but I typically can schedule an initial consultation within 1–2 weeks. For time-sensitive legal matters, please indicate your timeline when contacting me, and I will do my best to accommodate urgent needs.
Life Care Planning
What is a Life Care Plan?
A Life Care Plan is a comprehensive document that identifies and projects all current and future needs for an individual with a disability or chronic health condition. It serves as a roadmap for care, outlining the services, equipment, therapies, and support systems required throughout the individual's lifetime, along with associated costs.
How is a Life Care Plan developed?
Life Care Plans are developed through a systematic process involving careful evaluation of the individual, thorough review of medical and educational records, collaboration with treating professionals, and application of current standards of care. Each plan is tailored to the specific needs of the individual and includes detailed cost projections.
What is the difference between adult and adolescent Life Care Planning?
Adult Life Care Planning typically projects stable, long-term needs based on current functional status. Adolescent Life Care Planning, however, must account for developmental change, skill acquisition, and the evolving path toward independence. It emphasizes transition milestones and coordinates across educational, vocational, healthcare, and community systems.
How much does a Life Care Plan cost?
Life Care Plans generally range from $5,000 to $15,000, depending on complexity, scope, and the extent of record review and professional consultation required. Factors affecting cost include the complexity of the disability, the amount of documentation to review, and whether the plan is for clinical or forensic purposes.
Who uses Life Care Plans?
Life Care Plans serve multiple purposes and stakeholders. Families use them for long-term planning and understanding future needs. Attorneys use them to establish damages in personal injury and medical malpractice cases. Insurance companies use them to evaluate claims. Case managers use them to coordinate comprehensive care across multiple providers.
Vocational Evaluation
What is a Vocational Evaluation?
A Vocational Evaluation is a comprehensive assessment that examines an individual's abilities, aptitudes, interests, and functional limitations to determine their potential for employment. The evaluation provides concrete data to inform career planning, rehabilitation services, and legal proceedings related to earning capacity.
What does a Vocational Evaluation include?
A comprehensive Vocational Evaluation includes standardized aptitude and interest assessments, functional capacity evaluation, transferable skills analysis, labor market research, and earning capacity projections. The process involves testing, clinical interview, record review, and integration of findings into practical recommendations.
When is a Vocational Evaluation needed?
Vocational Evaluations are needed for career planning when individuals are exploring employment options, for personal injury cases to document loss of earning capacity, for disability claims to support applications, and for rehabilitation planning to develop return-to-work strategies. They provide objective data for both clinical and forensic purposes.
How much does a Vocational Evaluation cost?
Vocational Evaluations are billed at $325 per hour. The total cost depends on the scope of assessment, complexity of the case, and amount of documentation to review. A typical comprehensive evaluation may require 8-15 hours of professional time including testing, analysis, and report preparation.
Transition planning
What is transition planning?
Transition planning is a structured process that helps individuals with disabilities prepare for major life changes. It focuses on building skills, identifying supports, and creating concrete plans for success in education, employment, and independent living. Effective transition planning begins early and involves coordinated effort across multiple systems.
What types of transitions do you help with?
I support various transitions including high school to work, high school to college, child services to adult services, and career changes for adults. Each transition type requires different planning approaches, coordination with different systems, and focus on specific skill development and support needs.
How does the transition planning process work?
The process begins with comprehensive assessment of strengths, interests, and support needs. Based on this evaluation, we develop specific goals and timelines. Implementation involves coordinating services, monitoring progress, and adjusting the plan as needs evolve. The goal is successful navigation of the transition with appropriate supports in place.
How much does transition planning cost?
Transition planning services are billed at $75-$250 per hour depending on the nature of the consultation. Initial consultations may be available at a flat rate. Ongoing planning and coordination services are tailored to individual needs and billed based on actual time spent.
For attorneys
What expert witness services do you provide?
I provide objective, research-informed expert opinions for legal cases involving disability, vocational capacity, and Life Care Planning. Services include comprehensive record review and analysis, written reports with clear methodology, deposition testimony, and trial testimony. I emphasize clarity, defensibility, and real-world applicability in all forensic work.
What are your qualifications as an expert witness?
I am a licensed rehabilitation counselor with a PhD in educational psychology from Texas A&M University. I hold certifications as a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC) and Certified Life Care Planner (CLCP). I have over 30 years of experience and have provided testimony in state and federal courts.
Are your opinions independent?
Yes. All opinions are evidence-based and independent of case outcomes. My role is to provide accurate, supportable analysis based on professional standards and current research, rather than advocacy for any particular position. This independence is essential for maintaining credibility in legal proceedings.
What are your rates for legal services?
My billable rate for legal consultation is $325 per hour. The minimum fee is $1,500 for consultation without a written report and $1,800 when a report is required. Life Care Plans generally range from $5,000 to $15,000 depending on complexity and scope.
What materials do you need to review?
Materials for review typically include medical records, psychological evaluations, educational records, vocational histories, employment records, and any other documentation relevant to the individual's functional capacity and needs. The specific materials needed depend on the type of case and the questions being addressed.
How long does it take to complete an expert report?
Timelines vary based on case complexity and the amount of documentation to review. A typical Vocational Evaluation report may take 2-4 weeks, while a comprehensive Life Care Plan may take 4-8 weeks. Rush services may be available for time-sensitive matters at an additional cost.
For families
What should families prepare before contacting you?
A brief description of your situation and goals is helpful. For transition planning, having information about current services, educational status, and future goals is useful. For Life Care Planning, relevant medical and educational records help me understand the individual's needs. Knowing what questions you want answered helps us make the most of our time.
What are your rates for family consultations?
A one-time consultation is available for $150 and includes review of up to 50 pages of records and a 90-minute verbal consultation. Ongoing consultation rates are $75/hour for families earning under $100,000 annually, $125/hour for $100,000-$250,000, and $250/hour for over $250,000 annually.
What can families expect from the process?
Families can expect clear explanations, collaborative planning, and realistic recommendations that focus on strengths, barriers, and actionable next steps. I take time to understand your unique situation and provide guidance that is practical and implementable within your specific circumstances.
Do you work with schools and other professionals?
Yes. Collaboration with schools, therapists, medical providers, and other professionals is often essential for successful outcomes. With appropriate releases, I can coordinate with your existing team to ensure recommendations are integrated with current services and supports.
Still have questions?
I'm happy to answer any specific questions you may have about services, processes, or how I can help with your particular situation.
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