Psychological Evaluations
My psychological evaluation services focus on identifying neurodevelopmental disorders (neurodivergence) in children and adolescents, ages 2½ through 17. I am not currently offering psychological evaluations for adults. In addition, I do not provide evaluations conducted for Social Security Disability Determinations, legal proceedings, or forensic purposes, including child custody matters.
An Evaluation That Looks at the Whole Child
Each evaluation is individualized. Depending on your child’s needs, it may include an assessment of cognitive, emotional, behavioral, social, and academic functioning, along with relevant developmental, medical, and educational history.
The goal is to provide diagnostic clarity, identify your child’s strengths and challenges, and develop meaningful recommendations for support.
My Background in Education and Psychology
My background as both a Special Educator and School Psychologist gives me an understanding of clinical and educational environments. I draw on this experience to help families understand evaluation findings and navigate educational supports that may benefit their child.
Types of Evaluations
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Learning disorders and Intellectual disorders
An evaluation can help clarify your child’s learning and intellectual strengths, identify areas where they may need support, and guide practical recommendations for home and school.
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Early childhood and ASD
Early childhood assessments for ages 2½ to 4 explore developmental strengths and support needs. Autism evaluations are available for children and adolescents through age 17.
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ADHD, Autism & Learning Evaluations
Well-adjusted children and adolescents are the ultimate goal! To this end, I provide comprehensive psychological evaluations for Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, learning disorders & Intellectual Developmental Disorder, providing you with the clarity and direction needed to access the right support for your child.
Common Questions About Psychological Evaluations
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Children develop at different rates, and it is not always easy to distinguish normal developmental variations from signs of a potential concern.
If you have questions about your child's development, I recommend starting with your pediatrician. Share your specific observations and request developmental screening when appropriate. Developmental milestones can also provide helpful guidance about skills and behaviors commonly observed at different ages.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) offer a helpful resource for tracking developmental milestones:
Keep in mind that developmental milestones are guidelines, not diagnostic tools. Persistent difficulties with communication, social interaction, learning, attention, or behavior may warrant further evaluation, particularly when they interfere with your child's daily functioning.
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While some developmental and behavioral challenges improve with maturity, others may benefit from early intervention. The priority is to identify and address your child's needs rather than waiting for a formal diagnosis.
In some cases, targeted intervention can begin without a comprehensive psychological evaluation. For example, if your primary concern involves speech or language development, you may seek an evaluation from a speech-language pathologist to determine whether intervention is appropriate.
However, when concerns involve multiple areas of development or the underlying causes are unclear, a comprehensive psychological evaluation may provide a more complete understanding of your child's strengths and needs.
It is also important to consider that insurance coverage for certain services may depend on medical necessity, diagnostic information, and the requirements of your specific plan.
Early identification and appropriate intervention can make a meaningful difference, whether or not a formal diagnosis has been established.
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It is understandable to have mixed feelings about pursuing a psychological evaluation. As both a psychologist and a mother, I recognize that the possibility of receiving a diagnosis can bring uncertainty, worry, and difficult emotions.
It may be helpful to talk with your child's healthcare providers, ask questions about your concerns, and seek support from people you trust. Understanding what a diagnosis means—and what it does not mean—can help you make informed decisions.
A diagnosis does not define your child or diminish their unique strengths and abilities. When appropriate, it can provide a framework for understanding developmental differences, identifying support needs, and accessing helpful interventions and resources.
The purpose of a psychological evaluation is not simply to assign a diagnosis. It is to develop a clearer understanding of your child's individual profile of strengths and challenges so that you can make informed decisions about how best to support their development.