Evaluation & Assessment Services

When is an evaluation needed?

Children come in for evaluations for all sorts of reasons! Often, an evaluation is recommended when there are concerns in important areas like school, home, or friendships. Every child and situation is unique, so I tailor each evaluation to address the specific referral concerns. The more information we have, the better we can create a plan to help. A comprehensive evaluation is often more helpful than a brief interview or screening, as it provides a fuller picture—including your child’s strengths and other protective factors that can support positive outcomes.

A comprehensive evaluation can be especially beneficial if your child is receiving interventions but isn’t making the expected progress. Many children are also referred for re-evaluation after treatment to see how they’ve responded to support. Updated information can help us adjust treatment and services as needed.

Do I need a referral for testing?

You don’t need a referral to request an evaluation. Many parents or caregivers reach out when they notice concerns in areas like school, home, or friendships. Sometimes, other adults who work with your child—such as a pediatrician, therapist, teacher, occupational therapist, or speech therapist—may suggest an evaluation as well.

What’s expected from parents/caregivers and clients?

As a parent or caregiver, I’ll ask you to share your thoughts, experiences, and concerns about your child’s strengths and needs. You’ll likely be asked to complete one or more questionnaires and checklists. I may also ask you to help me connect with other providers or teachers who know your child well. It’s helpful if you can bring copies of relevant school records, previous evaluations, or medical history documents.

For my clients (children and teens), I’ll ask you to share your thoughts and experiences about your own strengths and needs. You’ll probably complete a few questionnaires or checklists, and you’ll be asked to try your best during a variety of tasks.

What does a typical evaluation look like, and how long does it take?

A typical evaluation includes two meetings with parents/caregivers and several sessions with the client. First, I’ll meet with you (without your child) for an intake session to talk about your concerns, review your child’s developmental, academic, and medical history, and explain the evaluation process. Your child will then attend several in-person sessions to complete different assessment tasks. The number of sessions depends on the referral question but is usually between two and four. Each client session is scheduled for two hours, but may be shorter depending on age, behavior, fatigue, cooperation, and other factors.

Once all the necessary information is gathered, we’ll have a final meeting (without your child) to go over the results and discuss next steps together. I’ll provide a written report at the end of the evaluation process. The timeline varies, but most evaluations are completed within 30 to 45 days. My goal is to meet within two weeks of collecting all the information.

What is the cost?

I’ll work with you to determine which type of evaluation best fits your needs. I offer self-pay packages and will discuss these options with you. For planning purposes, costs vary from $1,500 to $3,500 Payment plans are available on special request.