Frequently Asked Questions

ABC Psychological Services provides comprehensive evaluations for autism, ADHD, learning disabilities including dyslexia, psychoeducational needs, and school, college, or standardized testing accommodations. We work with children, adolescents, college students, and adults.

You do not need to know exactly which evaluation to request before contacting us. During an initial consultation, we will discuss your concerns, history, and goals and help determine which type of evaluation may be most appropriate.

Each evaluation is individualized based on the referral question. Depending on the evaluation, the process may include interviews, developmental and educational history, standardized testing, rating scales, behavioral observations, review of records, and input from parents, teachers, partners, or other professionals when appropriate. 

The length of the evaluation depends on the type of assessment and the individual’s needs. Many evaluations require multiple appointments for testing, followed by time for scoring, interpretation, report writing, and a feedback meeting. We will explain the expected timeline before you begin. You should expect 4-6 hours of direct testing, which may require up to 3 in-person sessions. 

Yes. Comprehensive evaluations include a written report summarizing the assessment results, strengths, areas of need, diagnostic impressions when appropriate, and individualized recommendations.

Yes. A feedback meeting is an important part of the evaluation process. We review the findings with you in clear, understandable language and discuss recommendations and next steps.

Yes. Our goal is not simply to identify areas of difficulty or provide a diagnosis. We also identify strengths, abilities, interests, and the conditions that help each person function at their best. Recommendations are designed to support the individual rather than define them by a diagnosis.

Yes. We provide comprehensive diagnostic evaluations for autism and ADHD. The specific assessment process depends on age, developmental history, presenting concerns, and the individual’s needs.

Yes. We provide evaluations for adults seeking clarification regarding autism, ADHD, learning difficulties, and certain accommodation needs.

Our evaluations may provide information and recommendations that can help families better understand a student’s educational needs and may support discussions regarding accommodations, interventions, IEPs, or 504 Plans. Eligibility decisions are ultimately made by the school or educational institution.

Depending on the referral question and documentation requirements, we provide evaluations that may support requests for accommodations in college or on standardized examinations. Requirements vary by institution and testing organization, so we encourage clients to provide current documentation guidelines when possible.

ABC Psychological Services is a private-pay practice. We may provide a superbill after services are paid in full that you can submit to your insurance company for possible out-of-network reimbursement. Reimbursement is not guaranteed and depends on your individual insurance plan.

We provide services across Santa Cruz County, Kern County, and San Luis Obispo County, with evaluation availability varying by location.

Some portions of the evaluation process, such as consultations, interviews, or feedback meetings, may be available virtually when clinically appropriate. Standardized testing may require an in-person appointment depending on the evaluation.

Helpful records may include previous psychological or psychoeducational evaluations, IEPs or 504 Plans, report cards, medical or developmental records, treatment records, and other documentation related to the concerns being evaluated. We will let you know which records are most useful for your specific evaluation.

An evaluation can still be valuable even when diagnostic criteria are not met. The results can help clarify an individual’s cognitive, academic, emotional, behavioral, or developmental profile and provide recommendations based on the strengths and needs identified.

The first step is to contact ABC Psychological Services or schedule a complimentary consultation. We will discuss your concerns, answer questions about the evaluation process, and determine the most appropriate next step.