Psychological Evaluation

Psychological Evaluations

A psychological evaluation can offer clarity about your child’s strengths and needs, empowering you with practical answers and a personalized plan to help your child or teen succeed at home, school, and in their daily life.

Note on Availability: Dr. Ko is in the process of expanding psychological evaluation services and acquiring additional testing materials. At this time, comprehensive evaluations may be limited based on your child/teens’s specific needs and the available assessment tools. If you are interested in an evaluation, please reach out to discuss your concerns. Dr. Ko can provide guidance, referrals, or an anticipated timeline for when full services will be available. Contact Dr. Ko today to discuss your child or teen’s needs (Email: drko@kopsych.com, Phone: 858-215-2620) or Book a Free 15-Minute Consultation online.

Why Families Seek a Psychological Evaluation

Families may pursue a psychological evaluation for a variety of reasons. In addition to addressing specific questions or concerns, an evaluation can provide valuable insight and guidance. Common reasons include:

• Gaining Clarity and Understanding: Many families want a comprehensive picture of their child’s strengths and challenges, and to understand if a diagnosis such as autism, ADHD, or anxiety is present.

• Guiding Treatment and Support: Evaluation results guide treatment priorities and recommendations for home, school, and therapy, which provides families confidence in planning for next steps.

• School Accommodations: A formal evaluation and diagnosis can help children and teens qualify for school accommodations (e.g., IEP or 504 Plan) and additional support services in the school setting.

• Exploring Medication Options: If appropriate, an evaluation can help determine whether medication may be beneficial and provide the documentation needed to explore the option of medication.

• Monitoring Progress and Growth: Some families seek evaluations to track their child’s progress over time or to re-evaluate and adjust plans as their child develops.

• Peace of Mind and Empowerment: The evaluation process can answer lingering questions, reduce uncertainty, and empower families to make informed choices.

Common Presenting Concerns for Evaluations

Parents often consider a psychological evaluation for:

• Social difficulties (making friends, navigating social situations)

• Attention and focus concerns (ADHD/ADD)

• Anxiety or worries impacting daily life

• Sensory sensitivities

• Challenging behaviors

• Emotional outbursts or mood changes

• Exploring autism or neurodevelopmental differences

Areas of Focus

Primary areas evaluated:

• Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Dr. Ko specializes in ASD assessment using gold-standard tools, such as the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2) and the Autism Diagnostic Interview (ADI-R)

• ADHD/ADD and executive functioning

• Anxiety disorders

• Neurodevelopmental differences

• Social and emotional concerns

• Mild to moderate depressive disorders/mood concerns

Areas not currently evaluated:

• Learning disabilities

• Personality disorders

• Severe mood disorders

• Schizophrenia or prodromal symptoms

Evaluation Process

1. Initial Intake Session: The evaluation starts with an intake appointment to learn about your concerns, gather background information, and set goals for the evaluation.

2. Personalized Assessment: A testing plan is created just for your child/teen, which may include one-on-one child/teen testing, interviews, and questionnaires for parents and teachers.

3. Feedback Session: Following the evaluation, a feedback session will take place to discuss results, diagnoses (if applicable), and individualized recommendations.

4. Comprehensive Report: Families receive a detailed, extensive report with all findings and recommendations for home and school to ensure your child/teen gets the support they need.