Psychological testing

Nope! If you want to have your child with ADHD treated at Brightline, and they’ve already completed psychological testing, you don’t need to do another round with us. What we will do is start care with a diagnostic evaluation — even if you had one elsewhere already. Why? Think of it as a clinical getting-to-know-you — it includes in-depth, structured conversations that involve both you and your child. This evaluation allows us to understand your needs, concerns, and goals so we can develop a clear treatment plan that is individualized for your child. 

(For example, let’s say you stumbled off a curb and hurt your ankle. If you went to one doctor and were told you had a sprained ankle, then went to a different doctor for a second opinion, that second doctor wouldn’t just take the other person’s diagnosis and treat you. They would want to see the injury, learn how it happened, understand your pain level, and learn about anything else you’re experiencing before treating the ankle. It’s the same with mental health care — gaining a deep understanding of each child is integral to being able to treat them appropriately. It’s also ethically required.)

Yes, we can certainly test and/or evaluate an individual for intellectual disability. We can provide the evaluation to a school to support your child’s IEP application. Note: schools are the owners of IEPs and they may prefer to do their own evaluation rather than accepting an outside evaluation.

Yes, we can evaluate a child for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). For some kids, this includes a thorough diagnostic evaluation that involves their parents, and additional information gathering, such as school records, medical records, talking to teachers, etc. The evaluation may also include specialized testing (e.g., ADOS). Testing isn’t required to diagnose ASD in all situations, but can be helpful in some situations when additional information is needed.

Psychological testing provides a clear picture of your child’s patterns — including cognitive, emotional, executive functioning, social, academic, memory and behavioral — helping you see what’s behind their struggles and where their strengths truly shine. It supports academic recommendations, and at times, is used to rule diagnoses in or out. Testing is often the bridge between uncertainty and progress.

You can (and we can help you decide). Early insight can make a big difference. Even mild difficulties with attention or learning can benefit from clarification and support. Testing can either confirm your hunch or give you peace of mind, while identifying strategies that make everyday life smoother for your child.

Psychological testing is distinct from neuropsychological testing in two ways. One, neuropsychological testing is completed by a neuropsychologist — a psychologist who has completed additional specialized training after receiving their doctoral degree. And two, neuropsychologists are able to test functioning within the context of more complicated concerns, including brain injuries and syndromes. If a school or doctor has recommended neuropsychological testing for your child, it is very possible that our psychological testing would be sufficient. This is part of what we assess in our initial meeting.

Absolutely. We’ll walk you through every result and its meaning in clear, parent-friendly language. You’ll leave with a practical plan and specific recommendations — so you know exactly how to help your child thrive, both now and in the future.

We cater testing to their attention span. If they start to lose focus, we can schedule a follow-up testing session. We also have specialists trained in working with all levels of focus.

When we meet with you during our first appointment, we’ll be sure to walk you through what to expect and to prepare you for testing days.

Interpreting your child's testing results is perhaps the most important step of the process. Our psychologists take all of the information gathered during the testing and put it together to form a clear picture of your child’s unique strengths and challenges. Tests like IQ and academic assessments give scores that compare your child’s performance to thousands of other kids their age. These scores tell us how they performed in areas like reading, math, problem-solving, and memory. Observations from the testing session, notes from parents and teachers (like rating scales), and the child's own history help explain why the scores are what they are. For example, a child may have a lower score on a task because they rushed through it, not because they lack the ability. The psychologist connects the dots between the scores, the behaviors, and your child's life history to paint a complete picture and develop personalized recommendations.

We work with you to co-develop a treatment plan that is individualized for your child and their goals.

We believe excellence means more than data — it means understanding the person behind the results. Our clinicians are highly trained in psychological assessment and in empathy. We pair evidence-based tools with genuine care, ensuring your family feels respected, informed, and uplifted every step of the way.

Never. Our approach centers on understanding, not labeling. We view every diagnosis as a starting point for support — not a definition of who your child is. Our goal is to help you and your child see strengths clearly and challenges compassionately.

That’s completely normal. Learning more about your child can bring relief, validation, or even grief — and we’re here to hold space for all of it. During the feedback session, we take time to answer every question, talk through next steps, and ensure you leave feeling supported, hopeful, and empowered.

Every child’s mind is different. That’s why we begin by listening — to you and to your child’s story. From there, we carefully select tests that reflect their unique profile, whether that means assessing focus, processing, learning, or emotional regulation. No two testing paths are ever the same.

Definitely. If previous results exist, we review them alongside your current concerns to avoid duplication and ensure a complete picture. Children grow and change, so sometimes additional testing helps clarify what’s new or what’s evolved. Our goal is to give you the whole story, not repeat what’s already been done.

We take a warm, strengths-based approach. Instead of focusing on what’s “wrong,” we highlight what’s right — what motivates your child, how they learn best, and where they shine. Our team builds rapport before diving into tasks so each child feels safe, supported, and capable throughout the process.

Every child is different. Testing highlights your child’s strengths and challenges in ways that enable us to personalize treatments and academic recommendations for them.

Absolutely. We hope your child sees marked improvements with treatment, enabling us to modify and adapt treatment as they grow.