Psychoeducational and Neurodevelopmental Evaluations for Children

If you’ve noticed persistent struggles with learning, attention, behavior, communication, or emotional regulation—and these are affecting your child’s daily life at home, school, or with peers—an evaluation can provide clarity. You don’t need to wait for a crisis. Evaluations aren’t about labeling—they’re about understanding and supporting your child’s needs more effectively.

A neurodevelopmental evaluation is a comprehensive assessment that looks at how your child’s brain is developing and functioning. It includes testing in areas like cognitive skills, attention, memory, language, executive functioning, social and emotional development, and academic achievement. It helps identify strengths and challenges—and leads to tailored recommendations for support.

Honesty, framed with love, goes a long way. You might say something like, “We’re going to visit someone who helps families understand how kids learn and grow, so we can help you feel better and do your best.” Most children appreciate being included in a calm, supportive way.

Early signs of neurodevelopmental differences can often be observed as young as toddlerhood. While some tests are age-dependent, many tools are designed for young children and are developmentally appropriate. The earlier we understand a child’s needs, the sooner we can support them.

A thorough evaluation typically takes several hours across 2 – 3 sessions. It includes interviews, questionnaires, direct testing, and often collaboration with teachers or other professionals. Afterward, you’ll receive a comprehensive report and a feedback session to walk through the findings and next steps.

We will meet for feedback. You’ll get a clear, strengths-based picture of your child’s functioning, along with practical recommendations. These might include school supports, therapies, home strategies, or referrals. You won’t be left on your own—this is the start of a supportive, informed journey, not the end.

Yes, written reports will be provided within 30 – 60 days following feedback.

Therapy for children looks very different than it does for adults—because children don’t process the world through talk alone. They communicate through play, behavior, movement, and emotion. That’s why many child therapists use a play-based model, which is developmentally appropriate and emotionally attuned.

In my approach, therapy is grounded in DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) principles—especially emotional awareness, mindfulness, distress tolerance, and building healthy relationships. These skills are gently introduced through games, stories, creative play, and moments of connection, always at the child’s own pace.

The heart of child therapy is meeting each child exactly where they are. This means honoring their interests, communication style, and readiness. Through this nurturing, individualized approach, children begin to develop coping strategies, emotional language, and the confidence to face challenges. Therapy becomes a safe space to grow—not just manage symptoms.

Yes, absolutely—and it can be incredibly effective when done thoughtfully. Many children on the autism spectrum benefit from explicit teaching of social communication skills, which may not come naturally or intuitively to them.

In therapy, we often use tools like social scripting, role-playing, and visual supports to break down social situations in clear, understandable ways. Children learn how to recognize social cues, initiate and sustain conversations, express feelings, and navigate common social challenges—like turn-taking, making friends, or handling conflict.

Rather than forcing “typical” behavior, the goal is to support authentic connection in ways that feel accessible and meaningful for your child. Therapy celebrates your child’s strengths while giving them the tools to connect, express themselves, and feel more confident in social settings—whether that’s at school, in friendships, or within your family.

Please see the Pricing page for information about rates.