Our Evaluation Process

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The process begins with completion of a new client inquiry form. This form provides preliminary information about your child’s needs and referral concerns and allows for insurance verification, if applicable. Once the inquiry is reviewed, families will be contacted to complete insurance information, consent forms, clinic policies, and to schedule the initial consultation. If an assessment from Flora Psychology PLLC is not a good fit, Dr. Magnuson will contact you and do her best to provide referrals to other providers.

The next step is an initial parent/caregiver consultation, which is often completed virtually. During this appointment, we discuss:

• Current concerns and goals for the evaluation 
• Developmental, medical, educational, and family history 
• Social, emotional, behavioral, and academic functioning 
• Questions regarding diagnoses, treatment planning, or school support needs 

This appointment also provides families with an opportunity to ask questions about the evaluation process and next steps.

Following the consultation, families complete electronic paperwork and questionnaires through a secure client portal. Depending on the referral concern and parental permission, rating scales may also be sent to:

• Additional caregivers 
• Teachers 
• Other providers involved in the child’s care 

These forms help gather information across multiple settings and environments.

Children then participate in in-person testing sessions tailored to their individual needs. Testing may include:

• Cognitive and developmental measures 
• Attention and executive functioning tasks 
• Autism-specific assessment tools 
• Behavioral, emotional, adaptive, and social communication measures 
• Academic screening when clinically appropriate 

Testing sessions are structured to help children feel comfortable and supported while obtaining accurate information about their functioning. Some evaluation require one testing session, while other require multiple, depending on the child's indvidual needs. 

After testing is completed, all information is carefully reviewed and integrated by the provider, including:

• Clinical interviews 
• Behavioral observations 
• Standardized test results 
• Rating scales 
• School and developmental history 

The goal is to understand the child comprehensively rather than relying on any single test score alone.

A virtual feedback session is scheduled with parents/caregivers. This appointment is often virtual. This session aims to review:

• Evaluation findings 
• Diagnostic impressions, when applicable 
• The child’s strengths and areas of need 
• Recommendations for home, school, therapy, and/or additional services 

Families are encouraged to ask questions and discuss recommendations in detail during this collaborative appointment.

Families receive a detailed written report summarizing:

• Background information 
• Assessment results 
• Diagnostic conclusions 
• Personalized recommendations and resources 

Reports may be used to help guide treatment planning, school accommodations, or additional support services when appropriate.

At Flora Psychology PLLC, we value continued collaboration with families even after the evaluation process is complete. Providers may follow up when appropriate to help guide next steps, provide referrals to additional services or specialists if needed, and support families as new questions arise over time.

We welcome questions and strive to remain a helpful resource following the evaluation. When clinically appropriate, re-evaluations or updated assessments may also be discussed to support a child’s changing developmental, academic, or emotional needs over time.