Understanding your needs

Psychological Assessment for Children and Teens

Comprehensive child psychological testing to understand attention, development, learning and cognitive abilities. We clarify the questions behind the referral and explain findings with practical recommendations for your child’s next steps.

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Child Psychological Testing With a Clear Purpose

When a child struggles with attention, learning, development or behavior, families may need more clarity before choosing  the most effective intervention. Therapy SoCal provides psychological assessment tailored to the questions you want answered. We consider history, current functioning and strengths alongside standardized measures.

Child psychological testing may assess ADHD, autism, learning differences or cognitive abilities. The evaluation plan depends on the referral concerns rather than assuming every child needs the same tests. Findings and recommendations are explained through feedback and a written report. If treatment is the next step, explore therapy for children and teens to understand the related services.

Types of Psychological Assessment

An ADHD evaluation considers attention,  impulsivity, behavior, executive functioning and the impact on daily life. Information may come from interviews, rating scales, records and testing selected for the referral question. Explore ADHD testing for children for more detail about that assessment rather than assuming attention difficulties establish a diagnosis.

An autism assessment considers developmental history, communication, social interaction, behavior and related needs. The clinician selects appropriate measures and gathers information about the child’s experience across settings. Learn about autism assessment for children. The evaluation does not presume an outcome before the evidence is reviewed.

Learning disability testing examines patterns of academic strengths and difficulty, with cognitive and achievement measures selected as appropriate. Testing may help clarify concerns involving reading, writing or mathematics. Explore learning disability assessment for the specific service. Recommendations depend on findings, not simply on the presence of school struggles.

IQ testing for children can help answer questions about cognitive abilities, strengths and learning needs, including giftedness concerns. Scores are interpreted in the context of the child’s broader history and functioning. Our IQ assessment page explains that service and the questions it may help address.

When concerns overlap, the clinician brings together history, observations and assessment findings to develop a clearer picture. Recommendations may include therapy, educational support, school planning or medical consultation. Educational and executive function services and ADHD therapy are separate services that may be discussed when they fit the results.

Your Path to Psychological Assessment

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Step 1

Consultation

Begin with a free 15-minute phone consultation to explain the child’s age, main concerns and the questions you want answered. We discuss whether an assessment may be suitable and clarify the next scheduling step, service scope and expected fees.

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Step 2

Intake and Records

The assessment clinician gathers developmental, educational and clinical history. You may be asked to provide previous reports and complete questionnaires. With appropriate permission, information from teachers or other providers may help understand how concerns appear across settings.

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Step 3

Testing Sessions

Testing is selected to address the referral questions and the child’s needs. It may involve standardized measures, interviews and observations. The clinician explains the appointment plan and preparation rather than assuming a fixed test battery or identical timeline for every child.

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Step 4

Results and Feedback

Clients and parents are invited to start with a free 20-minute consultation. During this time, you can share your concerns and needs while learning about the services offered at Therapy SoCal. We will work with you to identify and match you with the therapist best suited to your unique situation. If our services are not the right fit, we will gladly provide referrals to connect you with an appropriate provider.

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Step 5

Recommendations and Next Steps

Recommendations may address treatment, learning support, educational advocacy, further consultation, or school planning. We provide a comprehensive set of practical resources and strategies, discuss appropriate next steps, and identify referrals when indicated. An assessment report can help inform these decisions, although schools and other organizations independently determine eligibility for services and accommodations.

Request Your Child’s Assessment

Contact the assessment team or complete the Schedule My Assessment form below. Review locations and assessment fees and ask about the expected appointments, report and feedback process.

Questions About Child Psychological Testing

Faq

Have More Questions?

You do not need to know which type of assessment to request before reaching out. Share your concerns, the questions you hope to answer, and the difficulties you have noticed with our assessment team. Your assessor will conduct a comprehensive clinical interview exploring relevant developmental, academic, behavioral, social, and emotional factors. Based on this information, the assessor will select an individualized battery of tests to evaluate the concerns and clarify your or your child’s needs.

 You can expect a clear explanation of any diagnosis or diagnoses supported by the assessment findings and clinical interpretation. The evaluation may also clarify individual strengths, areas of difficulty, and support needs. During your feedback session, we thoroughly explain the findings and their implications. You will receive detailed, individualized recommendations outlining practical next steps, strategies, interventions, and appropriate referrals to help you or your child move forward with greater clarity and confidence

The assessment process typically takes 8–10 weeks from the initial clinical interview to the completed report and feedback session. Timelines may vary depending on the referral questions, assessment complexity, and appointment availability. Our assessment team can help you understand the anticipated schedule for testing, report preparation, and feedback so you know what to expect at each stage.

The evaluation includes a feedback session and a comprehensive written report outlining findings and individualized recommendations. Recommendations may include specific therapy approaches, academic accommodations, strategies to use at home, and educational resources to help you better understand your or your child’s diagnostic profile and support needs. When appropriate, we can also discuss how services offered at Therapy SoCal may align with the recommendations and support ongoing care.

Assessment findings can help families and schools better understand a child’s learning profile, educational needs, and appropriate supports. Therapy SoCal offers educational advocacy services to help families navigate the process of requesting an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 plan and communicate their child’s needs to the school. Our educational advocates are familiar with California education laws and can help families understand applicable requirements, prepare for school meetings, and advocate for appropriate supports and services. School teams make their own determinations regarding eligibility and accommodations, but families do not have to navigate the process alone. If you have school-related concerns, discuss these goals with your assessment clinician so recommendations can be tailored to your child’s needs.

Therapy SoCal is private pay and out of network, with no direct insurance billing. Reimbursement depends on your plan and the service. Review fees and insurance information and confirm benefits with your insurer before scheduling; reimbursement is not guaranteed.