Child Evaluations & Therapy for Parents, Teens, and Children

Licensed School Psychologist Diana Arce explains how parents can use evaluation findings to advocate for accommodations, collaborate with schools, and help their child thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.

Receiving an evaluation for your child can be both validating and overwhelming.

For many parents, an evaluation finally provides answers to questions they’ve been asking for years. At the same time, opening a report filled with scores, recommendations, and clinical language can leave parents wondering: What do I do now?

At Uptown Psychology, we believe that an evaluation is not the finish line. It is the starting point. The information gathered through testing can help you better understand your child’s strengths, challenges, and support needs, but meaningful change often happens when that information is translated into action at school.

Look Beyond the Test Scores

When parents first receive an evaluation, it’s natural to focus on the numbers. Standard scores, percentiles, and diagnostic conclusions often draw the most attention.

However, many of the most valuable insights are found elsewhere in the report.

Pay close attention to:

• Behavioral observations during testing
• Teacher and parent questionnaires
• Your child’s self reported experiences
• Notes about attention, motivation, anxiety, or frustration
• Strengths identified by the evaluator
• Recommendations for support

These sections often provide a more complete picture of how your child experiences learning on a daily basis. Understanding these nuances can help you advocate for supports that address your child’s actual experience rather than focusing solely on test results.

Give Yourself Time to Process

Many parents feel pressure to immediately schedule meetings, make decisions, and take action. Before doing that, take a breath.

Evaluations contain a significant amount of information, and it is perfectly normal to feel emotional after receiving one. Some findings may feel validating. Others may be surprising or difficult to hear.

Consider:

• Reading the report multiple times
• Highlighting sections that stand out
• Writing down questions as they arise
• Discussing concerns with the evaluator
• Reviewing recommendations with your spouse or support system

It’s also important to remember that an evaluation is a tool designed to help your child, not a label that defines them.

Many evaluators offer feedback sessions to help families better understand the results. If there is anything in the report that feels confusing or inconsistent with your experience, ask questions.

Understand What Support Is Available at School

Once you’ve reviewed the evaluation, it’s time to learn what resources your child’s school can provide. Every district has different procedures for determining eligibility and implementing supports. Understanding the process ahead of time can make school meetings feel far less intimidating.

You may want to ask:

• How do referrals for services work?
• What accommodations are commonly offered?
• What intervention programs are available?
• What is the timeline for receiving support?
• Who will be involved in decision making?

Many parents assume schools automatically provide every recommendation listed in a private evaluation. Unfortunately, the process is often more complex than that. The more familiar you become with your school’s procedures, the more effectively you can advocate for your child’s needs.

Use the Evaluation Recommendations Strategically

One of the most useful sections of any evaluation is the recommendations page. These recommendations provide a roadmap for the types of supports that may help your child succeed academically, socially, and emotionally.

Depending on your child’s needs, recommendations may include:

Academic Supports

• Reading intervention
• Math intervention
• Organizational support
• Executive functioning coaching
• Written instruction paired with verbal directions

Testing Accommodations

• Extended time
• Small group testing
• Reduced distraction environments
• Frequent breaks
• Alternative response formats

Related Services

• Speech and language therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Physical therapy
• Counseling services
• Social skills support

Rather than entering school meetings with general concerns, reference specific recommendations from the evaluation and ask how those needs can be addressed within the school setting. Specific requests are often easier for teams to discuss than broad statements such as “My child needs more help.”

Prepare for IEP and 504 Meetings

Many parents feel nervous before their first IEP or 504 meeting.

The good news is that preparation can make a significant difference.

Before the meeting

• Review the evaluation carefully
• Highlight recommendations you feel are most important
• Write down your questions
• Bring copies of relevant documents
• Think about your child’s biggest challenges at school
• Consider what success would look like six months from now

During the meeting

• Take notes
• Ask for clarification when needed
• Request examples if terminology is unfamiliar
• Focus on your child’s needs rather than labels
• Remember that you are a valuable member of the team

No one understands your child better than you do. Your observations and experiences provide information that school staff may not see during the school day.

Help Your Child Understand Their Learning Differences

Advocacy doesn’t stop with school meetings. One of the most important things parents can do is help their child understand themselves.

Children are often aware that something feels different long before adults explain it. When diagnoses or learning differences are discussed openly and appropriately, children often feel relieved rather than ashamed.

When talking with your child:

• Use age appropriate language
• Emphasize both strengths and challenges
• Normalize differences in learning styles
• Share examples of successful people with similar experiences
• Encourage questions

Whether your child has ADHD, autism, anxiety, dyslexia, or another diagnosis, the goal is not simply to explain the diagnosis. The goal is to help them understand how their brain works and what supports help them thrive. Children who understand their own learning profiles are often better equipped to advocate for themselves as they grow older.

Keep Records and Stay Involved

Advocacy is rarely a one time event. Accommodations that were once essential may need to be adjusted over time.

One of the best things parents can do is stay organized and actively involved throughout the process. Save copies of evaluation reports, progress reports, school emails, meeting summaries, accommodation plans, and examples of your child’s work. These documents can help you track progress, identify patterns, and provide valuable context during future conversations with teachers and school staff.

More importantly, it allows you to see how far your child has come and advocate from a place of knowledge rather than memory alone.

Know Your Rights and Don’t Be Afraid to Ask Questions

Perhaps the most important thing parents should remember is that they have a voice in the process. You do not need to be an educator, psychologist, or attorney to advocate effectively for your child. You simply need information, persistence, and a willingness to ask questions.

If something doesn’t make sense, ask for clarification. If you feel your child’s needs are not being adequately addressed, continue seeking answers. If you need support understanding the process, reach out to professionals who can guide you.

Advocacy is not about being difficult. It is giving your child access to the support they need to learn, grow, and succeed. An evaluation provides valuable information, but it is what happens afterward that often makes the biggest difference in a child’s educational journey.

This featured editorial is presented in partnership with Uptown Psychology. Content is for general information and is not a substitute for individualized professional care.