Mind Matters SF Bay Area: Choosing an Evaluation for your Child: A Parent's Guide

When your child is struggling academically, socially, or emotionally, your child's school or pediatrician may recommend an evaluation as the first step toward clarity and support. Evaluations can help you understand your child better and whether their struggles are a sign of ADHD, Autism, Anxiety, Depression, or a Learning Disability (like Dysgraphia, Dyslexia or Dyscalculia). 

But with so many options—ranging from Pediatrician or Online assessments to the school-based IEP process to comprehensive psychoeducational or neuropsychological evaluations—it’s hard to know what type of evaluation your child needs. Thus, we put together this guide for families about the different types of evaluations and what factors to consider when making that choice. 

Here are a few other blog posts we've published this past year to help families find the right provider.

• Q: What is the difference between an educational, psychological, psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluation?
• Q: How do I find a Neurodiversity Affirming provider for my child?
• Q: How do I find a Gender Affirming provider for my child?
• Q: How can providers reduce cultural bias in assessments?
• Q: How do I navigate the IEP (Individualized Education Plan) process with the public school district?

More information about comprehensive psychoeducational evaluations at Mind Matters, please reach out to our Client Care Coordinator Grace Lee via our website or email/phone number below. We have offices in Berkeley and San Francisco, and we specialize in providing comprehensive, affirming and practical evaluations for children, teens and young adults.