Psychoeducational Assessment in Pasadena and across California
When school feels like a struggle, I help you leave with clear answers and a plan that works — for your child, for you, and for the school.
Your child has so much potential, but school isn't reflecting it. Through comprehensive psychoeducational assessment, discover exactly how they learn and get the concrete recommendations to change their day. You don't have to figure this out alone.
Your child is not the problem. The problem is that no one has taken the time to understand how they learn.
I'm Erica, a licensed educational psychologist. I provide in-depth assessments, as well as consultations for IEPs, 504 plans, special education, and educational planning. My reports are detailed and written for you to be able to read and understand the findings and recommendations.
Specialties
Areas of expertise
Twice-Exceptional & Gifted
For gifted students who also have a learning, attention, or developmental difference. I assess for both, so nothing is missed.
ADHD & Executive Functioning
A close look at attention, focus, and the planning-and-follow-through skills that shape how school actually goes.
Autism
A careful, strength-based autism evaluation set within the whole-child picture.
Learning Differences
Assessment for dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia: the differences behind reading, writing, and math struggles.
How I can help
Psychoeducational assessment, consultation, and independent evaluations
Comprehensive psychoeducational assessment
- Cognition, attention, learning, processing, and social-emotional wellbeing
- In person in Pasadena, in your home, or remotely anywhere in California
- A report you can read, and recommendations the school can act on
Consultation for parents
- IEP and 504 plans: what they mean, and what to ask for
- Meeting prep: records, reports, and plans reviewed in advance
- Support for the services, accommodations, and goals your child needs
Independent educational evaluations (IEE)
- A second opinion when the district's evaluation missed the mark
- District-funded when your request is granted
- Every finding justified, in language the IEP team can act on
Assessments for schools
- Initial, triennial, and reevaluation assessments for schools and districts
- Legally defensible reports that meet your legal timelines
- Assessors attend the IEP meeting by Zoom to present their findings
The assessment process
How the assessment works
I explain each stage of the process so you know what to expect.
Free consultation
A 20-minute call to answer questions and determine whether assessment is the right next step.
Intake & history
I gather background, school records, and your observations to shape an individualized plan.
The assessment
Relaxed, interactive sessions paced for your child's comfort. At my Pasadena office, in your own home, or online throughout CA.
Report & review
A clear report and feedback session to walk through the findings and discuss next steps.
Meet the founder
A psychologist who sees your child's strengths first
Erica Salzman, M.S., LEP #4465
Families often come to me feeling overwhelmed. Sometimes schools say everything is fine, but you know your child is struggling. Other times, you only hear about their challenges, while their genuine gifts and strengths go unseen. With a postgraduate certificate in Twice-Exceptional Education, I look past the label to the whole child.
My goal is to leave you not just with answers, but with a plan you can hand to the school and the confidence to use it.
More about EricaWhy families choose The Exceptional Learner
Depth & thoroughness
Every evaluation looks at cognition, learning, attention, processing, and social-emotional functioning.
Reports you can act on
Written so both you and your child's school know exactly what to do next.
Truly heard
Families tell me they finally felt listened to. I take your concerns seriously.
Kids settle in
Nervous students get time to settle first, and we work at their pace once the assessment begins.
Specialty in 2e
Postgraduate certification in Twice-Exceptional Education.
A clear path
You leave with clarity, a concrete plan, and the confidence to advocate.
Testimonials
What families say
We walked away feeling like we understand our son so much better and, most importantly, feel better equipped to support him.
I realized we were in good hands when Erica told us she would be focusing on what our daughter can do instead of the things she can't.
This was a very in depth investigation into the workings of my son's mind, how he learns, and what makes him tick.
Her strength-based approach to assessment, her deep 2e expertise, and the way she talks about changing the box to fit the kid instead of forcing the kid into the box? That's my language.
We did a lot of research before deciding on who should assess both our teenage sons and Erica was a standout first choice. She is thoughtful, insightful, and incredibly thorough. Both kids loved her.
What stood out most was how deeply she cares about advocating for children and making sure they feel seen, understood, and supported.
We gave her an impossible deadline and she somehow delivered a day ahead of schedule, and her report was incredibly comprehensive and accurate.
We met with 7 other practitioners before selecting Erica and I'm so glad we made the choice we did.
Frequently asked questions
A few things parents often ask
What is a psychoeducational assessment?
A psychoeducational assessment is a comprehensive look at how your child learns. I examine all relevant domains (cognitive, academic, social-emotional, and behavioral) to understand how your child thinks, how they process information, and what draws them in. The result is a detailed report with specific, individualized recommendations, including a DSM-5 diagnosis and/or special education eligibility determination where relevant. It is never a single test or a quick label.
What is a twice-exceptional (2e) learner?
A twice-exceptional learner is a student with exceptional talents or abilities alongside a learning, attention, or developmental difference. Because giftedness and challenges can mask one another, these profiles are easy to miss. Identifying and supporting 2e learners is my primary specialty. I hold a postgraduate certificate in twice-exceptional education from Bridges Graduate School.
Can my child be assessed remotely?
Yes. In-person testing takes place in my Pasadena office, with in-home sessions available across the Los Angeles area for an additional fee, and remote assessments are available for any student located in California, conducted entirely over a secure telehealth platform.
Can you attend my child's IEP meeting?
Yes. I review assessment reports, diagnostic tests, and rating scales beforehand, then join the meeting to share the results of any assessment I've conducted and be your coach in the room. That means helping you understand the proposed services, accommodations, and goals, as well as what to ask. I don't speak on your behalf. My aim is for you to speak confidently for yourself, empowered and well-informed.
Let's take the first step together.
I provide a free 20-minute consultation to get more information and determine how I can help.
Book Today