Answers before you begin, and a few for after.

The path is: a free 20-minute consult, then intake and records review, testing sessions, data collection, your written report, and a review meeting. How long that takes depends on scheduling, how quickly records come through from the school, and the areas being assessed. Your report reaches you three days before the review meeting, so you have time to read it before we talk. Typically, the entire process is 4-6 weeks.

A comprehensive assessment generally requires three to four testing sessions of about two to three hours each, paced for your child's comfort, plus the first consultation and a review meeting at the end. The number and length can vary with your child's age, the areas being assessed, their pace, and the breaks they need.

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.

Yes, with the right setup. Remote assessments follow the same comprehensive process as in-person evaluations: a testing packet is mailed to you ahead of time, a parent proctors the few paper-and-pencil tasks, and a second camera keeps the administration standardized. The one difference is that school observations aren't conducted virtually. Instead, behavioral data is gathered through clinical observations during testing, along with rating scales and interviews.

After I score all assessments and rating scales and combine that with interviews, observations, and record reviews, you'll receive your comprehensive written report three days before the review meeting, so you have time to read it. The report includes a DSM-5 diagnosis and/or special education eligibility where relevant.

We'll meet for a one-hour virtual review to go through the report, recommendations, and next steps. It's often beneficial to include your child for part of the meeting so they can hear feedback directly and take part, but that's always your choice.

Both are school plans, but they do different things. An IEP (Individualized Education Program) provides specialized instruction and services with measurable goals for students who qualify for special education. A 504 plan provides accommodations that give a student equal access to the general education classroom, without specialized instruction. I can help you understand which one fits your child's situation.

An Independent Educational Evaluation is an assessment conducted by a qualified professional outside the school district. Families typically request one when the school's evaluation feels inaccurate or incomplete, when eligibility was denied, when there are significant ongoing concerns about their child's program, or when the district missed legal timelines or made other procedural errors during the assessment. The request is made formally, in writing. When granted, the IEE is funded by the district. I provide IEEs and can help you determine whether a request is appropriate and justified.

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.

A school evaluation is bound by district eligibility criteria and is often focused on whether a student qualifies for services. A private assessment is independent and comprehensive: it digs into how your child learns, takes a strength-based view of the whole child, and produces detailed, individualized recommendations you can use at home and at school. It also gives you an independent perspective if you disagree with the school's findings.

During your free 20-minute consultation, I'll give you a clear outline of the costs involved before anything is scheduled. I also offer 6 months of interest-free financing as an option.

No. Assessments are private pay, and I don't bill insurance. However, I can provide a superbill, which is an itemized receipt you can submit to your insurance provider for potential out-of-network reimbursement. I'll walk you through the costs clearly during your free 20-minute consultation so there are no surprises.