When should I seek an evaluation for my child?

Is a Neuropsychological Evaluation Right for Your Child?

As a parent, it can be challenging to watch your child struggle without knowing why. If your child is experiencing ongoing difficulties at school, at home, or with peers, a neuropsychological evaluation can provide the clarity you need.

It's a comprehensive way to understand how your child learns and processes information, providing a clear roadmap for support. The goal is to uncover your child’s unique profile of strengths and weaknesses so we can create a tailored plan for their success.

Signs It Might Be Time for an Evaluation

You may want to consider an evaluation if you notice your child:

Academic & Learning Concerns

  • Works hard in school but continues to perform below grade level.

  • Processes information or completes work very slowly.

  • Struggles to understand or remember what they have learned.

Attention & Organization Challenges

  • Has difficulty paying attention, is easily distracted, or seems to daydream often.

  • Seems disorganized, has trouble planning ahead, or struggles to manage their time and materials.

Emotional & Social Difficulties

  • Seems persistently unhappy, anxious, or irritable.

  • Has difficulty making or keeping friends and feels uncomfortable in social situations.

Other Important Considerations

  • Has a known medical condition (e.g., epilepsy, seizure disorder, genetic condition) or has experienced a traumatic brain injury that may affect their learning and development.

  • You believe they may be gifted and want to find the most appropriate academic environment for them.

  • They have received an evaluation in the past, and you need to track progress or update their intervention plan.

How an Evaluation Provides Answers

An evaluation doesn't just identify challenges; it highlights your child's unique strengths. The results provide a detailed profile that helps explain their behavior and academic performance. This allows us, in partnership with you and your child's school, to develop informed and practical interventions that are tailored specifically to their needs.

Every Child is Unique. Let's Talk.

If any of this sounds familiar, you are not alone, and we are here to help. These are just a few of the many scenarios that might warrant an evaluation. We invite you to contact us for a complimentary consultation to discuss your child's specific situation and determine if an assessment would be beneficial.

What Happens During an Evaluation?

We understand that starting an evaluation can feel overwhelming. Our process is designed to be thorough, supportive, and easy to follow. Every evaluation includes three main steps:

1. Intake Session: We begin with a meeting just for parents or guardians. This is a chance for us to learn about your child’s history, strengths, and challenges, and to understand your concerns. Before this meeting, we’ll send you a simple intake form to complete at home. Please bring this form, along with any previous assessments, IEPs, report cards, or state testing results.

2. Evaluation Sessions: Next, we work directly with your child. Evaluations usually take about 9–10 hours, spread over three to four sessions (depending on your child’s age and needs). During these sessions, your child will participate in a variety of engaging activities—such as puzzles, games, academic tasks, and computer exercises. We make sure to include plenty of breaks so your child stays comfortable and focused.

We may also ask your child’s teacher (and sometimes your child) to complete short questionnaires about their daily experiences. Occasionally, we’ll visit your child’s school to observe how they interact in class and during less structured times, like recess.

3. Feedback Session: Once the evaluation is complete, we’ll meet with you to review the results. We’ll explain each test, what the scores mean, and how they relate to your child’s daily life. You’ll receive clear, practical recommendations tailored to your child’s needs.

We encourage teens to join the feedback session so they can be part of the conversation. For younger children, we offer feedback that’s age-appropriate and easy to understand.

Will I Receive a Report?

Yes! After the evaluation, you’ll receive a comprehensive written report during your feedback session.

This report will include:

  • Your child’s results and any diagnostic findings

  • Clear, prioritized recommendations for home and school

  • Action steps so you know which interventions matter most

Our goal is to give you practical guidance without overwhelming you.

How Will This Evaluation Help My Child?

An evaluation can:

  • Explain why your child is struggling and how to best support them

  • Reveal your child’s learning style, strengths, and areas for growth

  • Help determine if special accommodations, services, or a different school placement are needed

  • Measure progress and the effectiveness of current strategies

At NEST, we’re not just evaluators—we’re advocates for your child. We can refer you to trusted providers, work with your child’s school, and help coordinate the supports your child needs to thrive. We also encourage ongoing communication after the evaluation and invite you to update us on your child’s progress or reach out with any questions.

How much does it cost and do you accept insurance?

Every evaluation is unique, and the cost depends on your child’s needs.  At the intake we will discuss with you the type of evaluation we believe would be most beneficial for your child and how much it will cost. Feel free to contact us for more information and explanation of fees. Payment from clients is expected at the time of service.

NEST is not in-network with any insurance companies at this time; however, in some situations, we can be an out-of-network provider. We suggest contacting your insurance provider prior to your first meeting to determine whether a portion of your evaluation will be covered. We are happy to work with you to provide any necessary documentation for out-of-network benefits.  If you are interested in learning about your coverage, the procedural or CPT codes used for an evaluation are:   90791, 96116, 96121, 96130, 96131, 96132, 96133, 96136, 96137, and 96127. 

Our Commitment to Your Family

We’re here to support you and your child every step of the way. If you have questions or concerns at any point, please reach out—we’re always happy to help.