Psychological Testing for Kids & Teens in San Diego
Is your child struggling and you don’t know why?
Does your child work harder than their peers but still struggle to keep up academically?
Have you noticed them avoiding homework, melting down over assignments, or saying they're "stupid" when faced with challenging tasks?
Maybe your bright, capable child sits for hours on what should be simple homework, yet you don’t know how to help them.
Perhaps you've wondered if there's an underlying reason…
…like ADHD, dyslexia, or another learning difference
that's making school unnecessarily difficult for them, leaving you feeling helpless, especially when you're not sure how to best support your child or advocate for their needs.
Your Child May Be Working Twice as Hard for Half the Results
Maybe your child spends hours on homework that their classmates finish quickly, or they understand concepts when you explain them but struggle to demonstrate that knowledge on tests and assignments.
They might be exceptionally creative or excel in hands-on activities, yet traditional academic tasks leave them feeling defeated and overwhelmed.
Or perhaps they're the class clown, constantly in trouble for disruptive behavior, when really they're struggling to focus or keep up with the pace of instruction.
You May Have Noticed Them Developing Negative Self-Talk
They’ve said things like “I’m dumb” or “I hate school” when you know they aren’t.
The mounting frustration from repeated struggles can impact their self-esteem and motivation, creating a cycle where they begin to give up before they even try.
Because you want to help your child succeed and feel confident in their abilities, you may be wondering if there's more to the story.
Fortunately, psychological testing can provide the answers you need to understand your child's unique learning profile and get them the support they deserve.
Many Learning and Attention Differences Go Unrecognized
Today's classrooms are fast-paced and demanding, and children who learn differently often fall through the cracks.
Many bright kids struggle silently, working twice as hard as their peers while their underlying challenges remain invisible to teachers and parents.
ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disorders affect millions of children, yet many go undiagnosed for years.
The truth is, learning differences aren't a reflection of intelligence or effort.
Many children with ADHD or dyslexia are exceptionally bright and creative, but they need different teaching methods and accommodations to show their true potential.
Don’t worry, it’s never too late to find the support your child or teen needs.
Psychological Testing Provides Answers and Opens Doors to Support
A comprehensive psychological evaluation can finally provide the answers you've been seeking.
Through carefully selected tests and assessments, we can identify specific learning disorders, ADHD, processing differences, and other factors that may be impacting your child's academic performance and emotional well-being.
What Our Comprehensive Evaluations Include
Our psychological testing process is thorough and individualized to your child's specific concerns and needs.
Intake Session: We begin with an extensive intake session where we learn about your child's developmental history, current challenges, and your specific questions and concerns.
During the assessment process, we evaluate multiple areas of functioning including cognitive abilities, academic and learning skills, attention and executive functioning, emotional and behavioral factors, and processing strengths and weaknesses.
This comprehensive approach ensures we get a complete picture of your child's unique profile.
Testing: Testing sessions are designed to be comfortable and engaging for children and teens. We create a supportive environment where your child can do their best work, taking breaks as needed and using age-appropriate materials and activities.
Feedback & Report: Following testing, we provide you with a detailed written report that explains the results in clear, understandable language. More importantly, we schedule a comprehensive feedback session where we walk through the findings together, answer your questions, and discuss specific recommendations for home and school support.
ADHD Testing for Children & Teens
ADHD evaluations require a comprehensive approach that looks at attention, hyperactivity, and executive functioning across multiple settings.
We use a combination of standardized rating scales, cognitive testing, academic testing, and clinical interviews to assess for ADHD.
Our ADHD assessments also examine common co-occurring conditions like anxiety, depression, and learning disorders, since these often occur together and can complicate the diagnostic picture.
We work closely with parents, teachers, and other providers to gather information about how symptoms impact your child in different environments.
Dyslexia and Reading Disorder Evaluations
Learning disability testing focuses on identifying specific areas where your child's academic skills fall below what would be expected based on their overall cognitive abilities.
We assess reading, writing, and math skills using comprehensive academic achievement tests.
For suspected dyslexia, we conduct specialized testing of phonological processing, rapid naming, working memory, and other underlying skills that support reading development.
This helps us understand not just that reading is difficult, but why it's difficult for your particular child.
Educational Testing for School Support
One of the most valuable outcomes of psychological testing is the ability to advocate for appropriate school support and services.
We provide detailed recommendations for classroom accommodations, testing modifications, and educational interventions that are tailored to your child's specific needs and supported by the assessment results.
Our reports include all the documentation schools need to implement appropriate supports, and we're available to participate in school meetings or consultations to help ensure your child receives the services they need to succeed.
But Maybe You're Wondering If Testing Is Right for Your Child...
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Comprehensive psychological evaluations typically require 4-6 hours of direct testing time with your child, usually spread across 2-3 appointments to prevent fatigue.
We also spend significant time scoring tests, analyzing results, writing the report, and preparing for your feedback session. From start to finish, the process usually takes 2-3 weeks.
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It's completely normal for children to feel nervous about testing, especially if they've had negative experiences with academic assessments in school.
Our testing environment is designed to be comfortable and non-threatening, and we work at your child's pace with plenty of breaks and encouragement.
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This is one of the most common concerns parents have, and it's completely understandable. However, proper diagnosis actually opens doors rather than closing them.
When we understand your child's learning profile, we can provide targeted support that helps them succeed. A diagnosis can qualify your child for accommodations and services that level the playing field, allowing them to demonstrate their true abilities.
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We provide detailed information about testing costs during your initial consultation. Many insurance plans provide coverage for psychological testing when it's medically necessary, and we can help you understand your benefits and provide the documentation needed for reimbursement.
We also offer payment plans to make comprehensive testing accessible for families.
