educational evaluations in santa barbara 

We use a thoughtful mix of standardized testing, observations, and interviews. This may include measures of attention, memory, executive functioning, and academics, as well as clarifying conditions such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder/attention disorder), Anxiety, or specific learning differences like dyslexia.

There are three main evaluation paths within my practice:

Exploratory Educational Evaluation — a focused look at specific learning or developmental questions.

Comprehensive Educational Evaluation — a full, whole-child evaluation that integrates cognitive, academic, and processing measures.

Gifted / Twice-Exceptional Educational Evaluation — a collaborative process with Kari Van Bebber, LMFT, incorporating the Gifted Qualitative Assessment (GQA) for deeper insight into giftedness and asynchrony.

Each option provides clarity about how your child learns and communicates, along with practical strategies for home and school.

School evaluations focus on whether a student qualifies for special education services when a disability is suspected. They typically measure educational functioning (academic skills, cognitive ability, and processing skills) and are conducted by school psychologists and education specialists within the school setting.

A private educational evaluation with a Licensed Educational Psychologist isn’t bound by the goal of classification or eligibility. In my practice, I look at the interaction of cognitive processes and learning profiles while taking a holistic approach — considering personality, temperament, and how these pieces come together.

Families often choose private evaluations to provide them with a comprehensive understanding of learning differences, ADHD, or giftedness, or when they want deeper insight into their child’s strengths and challenges beyond eligibility criteria.

(Neuropsychological assessments are another option. See the next FAQ for more on choosing the right fit.)

If you’re unsure, I offer a free 15-minute consult call to help determine the best fit. It often depends on your family’s goals.

School evaluation: Best if you need to know whether your child qualifies for an IEP (Individualized Education Plan) and the school’s timeline works for you. These are free of cost when both the school and parents suspect a disability.

Neuropsychological assessment: Recommended when there are neurological conditions, neurodevelopmental disorders, or multiple interacting concerns. Neuropsychologists have specialized training in brain–behavior relationships and can include medical or neurological perspectives that go beyond the scope of an educational evaluation. These assessments are especially valuable when a case is highly complex or when families are seeking diagnostic clarity around medical or neurodevelopmental conditions.

Private evaluation with a Licensed Educational Psychologist: Helpful if you want a broader look at learning, cognitive, and processing profiles, or need to clarify diagnostic criteria. In my practice, I take a holistic approach that considers cognitive and learning processes alongside factors like learning style, personality, and temperament.

Yes. While schools conduct their own assessments to determine eligibility, my reports are designed to be both parent- and school-friendly. When appropriate, I collaborate with IEP teams or school staff to align supports. Families often find that a whole-child educational evaluation provides valuable context for IEP or 504 meetings, giving schools a clearer understanding of a child’s strengths, learning differences, attention challenges, and needs.

It’s important to note that identifying needs, weaknesses, diagnoses, or ADHD in a private evaluation does not automatically qualify a student for an IEP. Schools will almost always conduct their own assessments under state and federal guidelines.

Licensed Educational Psychologists can diagnose psychological disorders related to academic learning processes when they have the training and expertise in that area. In my practice, this may include learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dyscalculia, and dysgraphia, as well as ADHD, Autism, and Anxiety.

Typically, diagnoses are made only when completing a Comprehensive Educational Evaluation, which provides the full context needed for accurate interpretation. In some cases, families request specific attention testing as part of this broader evaluation to clarify whether ADHD or other factors contribute to learning or behavioral challenges. When a diagnosis is appropriate, it is offered within the framework of a whole-child educational evaluation, always with the goal of helping families feel resourced, grounded, and supported with clear next steps, rather than focusing on a label alone.

Sometimes parents come in with very specific questions, such as ADHD, dyslexia, executive functioning, or academic struggles. In some cases, those concerns can be evaluated more narrowly through an Exploratory Educational Evaluation.

Often though, a fuller Comprehensive Educational Evaluation gives the clearest understanding of both strengths and challenges, which leads to more useful recommendations.

We’ll decide together during your consultation what scope of testing will best support your child and your family.

Depending on your child’s needs, we may look at cognitive abilities, academic skills, attention and executive functioning, language, memory, social-emotional development, and psychological well-being. Alongside these standardized measures, I also consider holistic factors—such as learning style, personality, and temperament—to create a fuller understanding of your child. This integrative approach highlights both strengths and challenges and shows how the different pieces of your child’s profile fit together in daily life.

From start to finish, the evaluation process usually takes about six to eight weeks (roughly a month and a half to two months), depending on scheduling. Testing sessions are held in person in two-hour blocks, typically ranging from three to six sessions, with breaks built in to support focus and comfort. Once testing is complete, I carefully analyze the results and prepare your child’s report. Families can usually expect the written report and a feedback session within 2–4 weeks of the final testing session.

Yes. Students may be identified as twice-exceptional through an educational evaluation. For families seeking a fuller understanding of giftedness, I offer a specialized Gifted / Twice-Exceptional Educational Evaluation in collaboration with Kari Van Bebber, LMFT, gifted specialist and creator of the Gifted Qualitative Assessment (GQA). This process provides deeper qualitative and quantitative insight into giftedness, asynchrony, and creative potential.

Testing sessions are held in a calm, supportive office environment in Santa Barbara. For families outside this area, locations for in-person testing are arranged on a case-by-case basis.

Sessions are paced with breaks and flexibility so your child feels comfortable and at ease. Limited portions of testing may also be offered via telehealth if appropriate.

I do not bill insurance directly, though some families may be able to submit for out-of-network reimbursement (code 96101). Coverage can vary, and many plans do not reimburse for services provided by a Licensed Educational Psychologist, so it’s best to check with your provider.

A deposit is collected at booking, with the remaining balance due upon receipt of the report. Payments may be made in full or through an installment plan, with the option to split the fee into multiple invoices to make the process more manageable.

Costs vary depending on the type and scope of evaluation. Comprehensive assessments reflect not only the hours of direct testing but also the analysis, report writing, and feedback session that follow. Because fees can vary, I invite you to reach out directly by email or schedule a free 15-minute consult call to receive the current rates and discuss payment options before moving forward.

Once testing is complete, we’ll schedule a feedback session to walk through the findings together. You’ll receive a written report that integrates test data with a whole-child understanding of your child’s needs, including both strengths and areas of challenge.

If a diagnosis, unique cognitive profile, or area of weakness is identified, it does not automatically qualify a child for a 504 Plan or IEP—schools often require their own assessment to determine eligibility for services or accommodations.

Along with the report, I provide tailored recommendations for home, school, and next steps, and one to one sessions are available if you’d like additional support in putting strategies into practice.