Child Psychological and Psychoeducational Evaluations Services in Naples
Psychological and psychoeducational assessment can be very helpful for understanding a child or adolescent's strengths; learning profile; and their unique challenges. This information is incredibly helpful for increasing access to appropriate interventions and accommodations and developing appropriate treatment plans. Early and accurate assessment can lead to appropriate treatment and optimal outcomes for children and adolescents with emotional, behavioral, social, and academic differences.
Many families elect to pursue private evaluations to ensure their child receives a comprehensive, cohesive assessment with a highly knowledgeable psychologist. Unlike school-based testing, which is limited to educational eligibility, or insurance-driven evaluations that focus strictly on deficits to meet rigid medical criteria, Dr. Bhatia utilizes a neuroaffirming, strengths-based approach. This private pathway bypasses administrative limitations and long waitlists to deliver a complete, empowering picture of your child’s unique profile, strengths to build upon, and concrete ways to support them in areas of difficulty. Importantly, when families pursue a private evaluation, they share the evaluation findings with schools or providers at their own discretion.
Individualized, Comprehensive Evaluations
Dr. Bhatia completes individualized, comprehensive evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults (e.g., college age).
Most evaluations include the following components:
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Comprehensive Parent Interview
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Child Interview or Observation
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In-person testing (e.g., cognitive, academic, social behavioral)
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Assessment of developmental, cognitive, adaptive behaviors, executive functioning, social emotional, and behavioral skills (varies based on assessment question)
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Review of Medical and Educational Records
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Consultation with Treatment Providers, if applicable (e.g., mental health, speech, occupational therapist)
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Feedback Meetings
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Comprehensive Written Report with Individualized Recommendations
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The written report that follows the evaluation will include information about your child's strengths and differences, how they learn best, a diagnostic summary, recommendations, and tools and resources. You can share the written report with others (e.g., pediatrician, school, therapist, tutor) at your discretion.
Large-Print Testing Accomodations
Naples Behavioral Pediatric Therapy offers large-print testing accommodations children, adolescents, and young adults who have difficulty accessing standard-sized print.
Cognitive, academic, and oral language measures are available in printed formats using 18-point font for children through young adults who benefit from larger print. These visual testing accommodations can help reduce the impact of visual access difficulties and allow children to focus on the skills being evaluated.
If your child has a visual need or typically receives large-print materials or other testing accommodations at school, please let Dr. Bhatia know when scheduling an evaluation so she can determine whether similar accommodations may be appropriate during the assessment process.
Partial Assessment Batteries
Dr. Bhatia can do partial testing (e.g., just IQ testing for gifted evaluations). Please contact the office to learn more.
Autism Evaluations
Dr. Bhatia completes comprehensive autism evaluations for children and adolescents. Comprehensive autism evaluations assess a variety of domains and typically include a clinical interview, clinical observations, ADOS testing, developmental or cognitive assessment, adaptive behavior assessment, assessment of executive functioning, and assessment of social and emotional skills.
Please reach out if your child has already had ADOS testing and you are looking for a psychologist to complete the rest of the testing and make a diagnosis (if diagnostic criteria are met). Dr. Bhatia may be able to complete the rest of the evaluation if the ADOS is provided to her for review. In some cases, a repeated ADOS or other clinical observation measure may be needed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a psychological or psychoeducational evaluation?
A psychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment that helps understand a child’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. A psychoeducational evaluation focuses on how your child learns, processes information, and performs academically. Together, these evaluations provide a clear picture of your child’s strengths and areas that may need support.
The written report you receive is more than a document, it is a roadmap designed to guide you, your child, and your child’s support team with actionable next steps. Many families find that the process not only clarifies current concerns but also lays the groundwork for long-term success, improved confidence, and stronger family-school collaboration.
When should I consider an evaluation for my child?
Parents often seek an evaluation when their child struggles with attention, learning, behavior, anxiety, socialization, or school performance. If your child’s teacher or pediatrician has expressed concerns, or if you’ve noticed significant emotional or academic changes, an evaluation can help identify the root cause and guide appropriate interventions.
What conditions or concerns can be assessed?
Evaluations can assess a variety of concerns, including ADHD, learning disabilities, autism spectrum traits, emotional regulation issues, giftedness, and anxiety-related difficulties. Each evaluation is tailored to the child’s age, developmental level, and presenting symptoms.
What is included in a comprehensive evaluation?
Evaluations typically include:
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Clinical interviews with parents and the child
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Standardized testing of cognitive, academic, and emotional functioning
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Behavioral observations
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Behavioral rating scales to assess emotional, behavioral, and social traits
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Teacher or school input when appropriate
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A detailed written report with results and personalized recommendations
How long does the evaluation process take?
The full evaluation process usually includes three to six sessions, depending on the child’s assessment needs. This process includes interviews, testing, scoring, report preparation, and a feedback session(s) where results and next steps are explained to parents and, in many cases, the child.
Will my child’s school accept your evaluation results?
Private psychological and psychoeducational evaluations meet professional standards recognized by schools and educational institutions. Many families use private reports to request academic accommodations, 504 Plans, or Individualized Education Programs (IEPs).
Can evaluations be done via telehealth?
Some parts of the evaluation such as interviews and feedback sessions can be conducted through telehealth. Direct child testing requires in-person sessions.
How do I prepare my child for the evaluation?
It is best to be honest about the reason for testing. You may explain that the purpose of testing is to gain a better understanding of them and how they learn best. You can explain that the results may help to determine helpful strategies that can be utilized to support them at home and school. Encourage them to do their best, get a good night’s sleep, and eat a healthy breakfast before testing.
Do you provide evaluations for older teens or college students?
Dr. Bhatia offers psychological and psychoeducational evaluations for high school and college students who may struggle with learning, attention, or anxiety issues that impact academic performance. The results can support accommodations for college testing or university disability services.
Why Choose Naples Behavioral Pediatric Therapy?
When seeking an evaluation for your child, the expertise and approach of the evaluator matter. At Naples Behavioral Pediatric Therapy, all assessments are personally conducted by Dr. Sonya Bhatia, a psychologist with extensive experience in pediatric assessment, mental health, behavioral challenges, and education. Dr. Bhatia’s background as both a school psychologist and former teacher provides her with a unique perspective. She understands not only the clinical aspects of testing, but also how results translate into meaningful support in the classroom and at home.
Unlike larger clinics where different portions of the evaluation may be completed by multiple providers, Dr. Bhatia personally administers and interprets every part of the assessment. This ensures consistency and accuracy throughout the process, deeper insight into your child’s performance across settings and tasks, and a personalized, cohesive evaluation rather than a piecemeal approach.
Families choose Naples Behavioral Pediatric Therapy for the combination of clinical expertise, educational experience, and timely and individualized attention. This integrated perspective helps ensure that your child’s strengths and needs are thoroughly understood and that you receive clear, actionable recommendations tailored to your family.
How do I schedule an evaluation?
You can request an appointment through the contact page or call the office directly. Dr. Bhatia will explain the evaluation process and schedule testing sessions that work best for your family.
Let's Get Started
Parents and schedule a free 15-minute phone consultation with Dr. Sonya Bhatia to get started. If you are unable to schedule a consultation call, please complete the contact form below.