Our Assessment Services for Children
Expert Psychological Assessment for Your Child's Unique Needs
At Bridges of the Mind Psychological Services, we understand that every child develops at their own pace and in their own unique way. Our comprehensive assessment services for children provide parents and caregivers throughout Sacramento, San Jose, and South Lake Tahoe with valuable information about their child’s development, learning profile, mental health, and individual needs.
Our team of experienced psychologists specializes in identifying your child’s strengths and challenges through evidence-based assessment, allowing us to develop personalized treatment recommendations that support their growth and success at home and school.
Play-Based Techniques
We believe in making the assessment process as enjoyable as possible for children. Our methods involve play-based activities that are not only engaging but also deeply informative.
Interactive and Fun
Our sessions are filled with interactive games, storytelling, and creative exercises, ensuring that children are comfortable and at ease.
Uncovering Hidden Strengths
Through play, we're able to observe and understand aspects of a child’s development that might not be evident during more formal testing.
Why Consider Professional Assessment Services?
Early identification of developmental, learning, or mental health concerns can significantly impact your child’s educational journey and overall well-being. Professional assessment services offer families:
- Clear understanding of your child’s unique cognitive and learning profile
- Evidence-based insights into developmental patterns
- Identification of specific strengths to build upon
- Recognition of challenges that may require support
- Practical strategies for home and school environments
- Documentation for educational accommodations when needed
- Peace of mind through professional guidance and clarity
- Improved outcomes through early intervention and targeted support
Our comprehensive assessments help parents understand the “why” behind behaviors or struggles, creating a foundation for effective support strategies.
What We Look For
Behavioral Patterns
Understanding each child’s behavior in different contexts gives us insight into their emotional and cognitive development.
Learning Challenges
We identify any areas where a child may need extra support, whether in academic learning or in developing life skills.
Social Skills Assessment
It's crucial to understand how a child interacts with their peers and adults, which helps in guiding them towards healthy social development.
Emotional Well-Being
A child’s emotional health is as important as their physical health. Our assessments pay close attention to their emotional well being.
Our Specialized Assessment Services for Children
ADHD Testing & Evaluations
Our ADHD assessments provide a thorough examination of attention patterns, executive functioning, and self-regulation skills. We look beyond basic checklists to understand:
- Sustained attention capabilities across various settings
- Impulse control development
- Working memory functioning
- Processing speed variations
- Executive functioning skills in daily life
- Task initiation and completion patterns
- Impact on academic performance and social development
Through comprehensive assessment, we can differentiate ADHD from other conditions with similar presentations, guiding appropriate treatment recommendations for children of all ages.
Autism Spectrum Disorder Assessments
Our autism evaluations utilize gold-standard assessment tools alongside careful clinical observation to provide an accurate diagnosis and understanding. These comprehensive assessments examine:
- Social communication patterns
- Nonverbal communication skills
- Interest patterns and flexibility
- Sensory processing sensitivities
- Developmental history analysis
- Language development trajectory
- Adaptive functioning in daily life
Early identification of autism spectrum characteristics enables access to appropriate mental health services and supports that can dramatically improve developmental outcomes.
Learning Disability Evaluations
When children struggle academically despite adequate educational opportunity, learning disabilities may be present. Our evaluations thoroughly assess:
- Cognitive abilities affecting learning
- Academic achievement across subjects
- Processing strengths and weaknesses
- Phonological awareness for reading challenges
- Visual-motor integration skills
- Math concept understanding and calculation
- Written expression abilities
- Memory functioning across modalities
Our learning disability assessments provide specific recommendations for school accommodations and learning strategies that build on strengths while supporting areas of challenge.
Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE)
When parents need additional information to advocate for their child’s educational needs, our independent evaluations provide:
- Comprehensive assessment from an unbiased professional perspective
- Detailed documentation of educational requirements
- Specific recommendations for academic support
- Evidence-based accommodation suggestions for school implementation
- Clear explanation of assessment results and their implications
Our psychologists help families navigate the education system with confidence, ensuring children receive appropriate supports for optimal learning.
Our Child-Centered Assessment Approach
We adjust our assessment techniques based on each child’s age, developmental level, and individual needs:
For Young Children (Ages 3-6)
- Play-based assessment techniques
- Brief, engaging activities with frequent breaks
- Parent involvement throughout the process
- Warm, nurturing environment
For School-Age Children (Ages 7-12)
- Balance of structured tasks and creative activities
- Age-appropriate explanations of the assessment process
- Recognition of school-based concerns
- Focus on learning profiles and educational implications
For Adolescents (Ages 13-17)
- Respect for growing independence
- Inclusion in the feedback process
- Discussion of strengths and self-advocacy skills
- Consideration of mental health and emotional development
Our child psychologists are trained to make the assessment experience positive and productive regardless of age.
What Our Assessments Evaluate
Cognitive Development
- Intellectual abilities across verbal and nonverbal domains
- Processing speed and efficiency
- Working memory capacity
- Visual-spatial processing
- Attention and concentration
Academic Achievement
- Reading skills (decoding, fluency, comprehension)
- Mathematical reasoning and calculation
- Written expression
- Academic knowledge relative to age expectations
Behavioral Functioning
- Self-regulation capabilities
- Impulse control
- Activity level
- Attention patterns
- Response to structure and transitions
Social Development
- Social awareness and cognition
- Communication effectiveness
- Perspective-taking abilities
- Peer relationship patterns
Emotional Well-Being and Mental Health
- Emotional awareness and expression
- Anxiety patterns
- Mood regulation
- Self-esteem and self-concept
- Emotional resilience
Implementing Assessment Results
Assessment results provide a roadmap for supporting your child’s development. Our psychologists will help you:
- Understand how to implement recommendations at home
- Develop strategies for collaboration with your child’s school
- Connect with appropriate treatment providers when needed
- Monitor progress and adjust approaches over time
- Advocate effectively for educational accommodations
- Build on your child’s identified strengths
We remain available for consultation following the assessment to ensure recommendations are successfully implemented.
Our Team of Assessment Specialists
At Bridges of the Mind Psychological Services, our assessment team consists of licensed psychologists with:
- Doctoral degrees in psychology or related fields
- Specialized training in child development and assessment
- Extensive experience with diverse children and adolescents
- Expertise in learning differences and neurodevelopmental conditions
- Commitment to evidence-based assessment practices
- Warm, engaging approach with children of all ages
Our Sacramento-based team provides comprehensive assessment services to families throughout Sacramento, San Jose, and South Lake Tahoe regions.
The Impact of Professional Assessment
Professional assessment services provide families with:
- Clarity regarding developmental or learning challenges
- Evidence-based recommendations for support
- Documentation for educational planning
- Personalized strategies for home and school
- Improved understanding of your child’s unique needs
- Enhanced ability to advocate for appropriate services
- Reduced frustration through targeted approaches
Many parents report that comprehensive assessment represents a turning point in their ability to effectively support their child’s development and education.
The Assessment Journey
Step 1
Initial Appointment Setup
The first step involves reaching out to schedule an appointment. We understand the importance of timely assessments, and our current wait time is around three weeks, ensuring prompt access to our services.
Step 2
Intake Session (Approximately 1 Hour)
During the intake session, lasting about an hour, we engage in a conversation to better understand presenting challenges and personal challenges. Depending on the age, the session may include the child, and parents or caregivers aiming to gather valuable information about the client’s history and presenting questions.
Step 3
Testing Phase (Approximately 2+ Hours)
Step 4
Feedback, Recommendations, and Resources
After the assessment, clients receive prompt feedback and, preliminary findings. For some cases, additional time may be needed to gather collateral information. Our commitment is to deliver a comprehensive report within two weeks that includes the assessment results as well as individualized and specific recommendations to bridge the gap from assessment to support services.
Helpful Tips for Parents and Caregivers
Open Communication
We know every parent or caregiver is the expert when it comes to their teenager. Openly share your concerns or those little quirks that make your teenager uniquely them. Provide invaluable context for our assessment team.
Prepare Your teenager
Explain the assessment process to your teenager in an age-appropriate manner. Reassure them that it's a supportive environment where they can be themselves. Show them some pictures of our office so they have more of an idea of what they can expect.
Provide Background Information
Being open about your teenager's developmental history and any specific challenges they may be facing helps us build a clearer picture of how best to support them.
Speak up!
Your presence and engagement during the assessment process matter. Ask questions, seek clarification, and be an active participant. Your insights are invaluable.
- Past Client
Take the First Step
If you’ve noticed concerns with your child’s development, learning, behavior, or emotional well-being, professional assessment services can provide valuable information and direction. The insights gained through comprehensive evaluation form the foundation for effective treatment and support.
At Bridges of the Mind Psychological Services, we’re committed to providing high-quality assessment services to families throughout Sacramento, San Jose, and South Lake Tahoe. Our child-centered approach and comprehensive assessments help families understand their children’s unique needs and develop targeted support plans.