At MindWise Psychological Services, we are dedicated to helping you navigate the complexities of neurodevelopmental conditions. We provide careful, accurate research-based testing; clear and thorough evaluation reports; and thoughtful, expert guidance to help you identify and access the most appropriate services. Take a moment to explore the conditions we assess and review our evaluation process.
MindWise Psychological Services performs diagnostic evaluations for several neurodevelopmental conditions. Our clinical psychologists are professionally trained and highly skilled in the administration of the psychological tests offered at MindWise. We only administer the most current versions of testing measures such as the ADOS-2, CARS-2, SRS-2, Vineland-III, Wechsler IQ tests in English and Spanish, and others.
If you have concerns about a suspected developmental delay for your child or loved one, please contact our office to inquire about an evaluation. The following includes information about some of the conditions we frequently assess.
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that affects how people connect with others, talk, learn and act. It’s considered a “developmental disorder” because signs and symptoms usually appear during childhood development, though autism can be identified at any age.
Autism is called a “spectrum” disorder because symptoms can differ greatly in type and degree of severity. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), a guide used by healthcare experts to diagnose mental health conditions, describes ASD as exhibiting:
At MindWise Psychological Services, our licensed clinical psychologists have received specialized training in the administration of standardized and objective tests for autism. These tests are widely recognized in the field as the leading diagnostic measures for autism and allow us to evaluate an individual’s social communication skills, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors.
Below are some links to trusted resources that provide more information about ASD.
ADHD is characterized by ongoing issues with focus and self-control. People with ADHD experience different types of symptoms, including:
At MindWise Psychological Services, our licensed clinical psychologists have years of experience and expertise in assessing for and diagnosing ADHD.
Below are some links to trusted resources that provide more information about ADHD.
Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD) involves difficulty learning and functioning in everyday life as expected. This can vary among children. Children with Intellectual Disability might struggle to communicate their needs, take care of themselves, and learn at a slower pace than other kids their age. They might need more time to learn basic skills like speaking, walking, dressing, and eating on their own. Learning at school could also be challenging for them.
IDD is a “developmental disorder” because it begins before a child turns 18, and it can even be present before birth. It is caused by factors like injury, disease, or an issue in the brain. Some common known causes can even happen before birth, like Down Syndrome, Fetal Alcohol Syndrome and other genetic conditions. Others occur during birth or shortly after, while a few causes might appear when the child is older, such as stroke, head injury or certain infections.
Signs that indicate Intellectual Disability in children may include:
At MindWise Psychological Services, our licensed clinical psychologists have received specialized training in the administration of standardized and objective cognitive and intelligence tests. These tests allow us to evaluate general cognitive and intellectual skills, including problem-solving, reasoning, working memory, and verbal and visual intelligence.
Below are some links to trusted resources that provide more information about Intellectual Disability.
A communication disorder is when someone has trouble understanding, expressing, processing, or grasping concepts through words, signs or symbols. This can affect hearing, language and speaking. Communication disorders can be mild or severe, and they can start from a young age or happen later. People might have one type of communication disorder or a combination of them, and it might be the main disability or caused by other problems.
A speech disorder is when someone has problems with how they say words, their flow of speech, or their voice. A language disorder means having trouble understanding the meaning of or using spoken or written words or other symbols. This can affect the structure of language (like grammar), the meaning of words, or how language is used to communicate with others.
In simple terms, a communication disorder makes it hard to understand and express thoughts, and it can involve problems with speaking, understanding or using language.
At MindWise Psychological Services, our licensed clinical psychologists have years of experience working with children with speech and language delay. Importantly, we have specialized skills in deciphering when speech or language delay is the primary concern or if it is due to a secondary condition such as autism.
Below are some links to trusted resources that provide more information about speech and language disorders.
Neurodevelopmental testing involves the careful gathering of background information and administration and interpretation of psychological measures, which results in a written diagnostic report with recommendations for treatment or services. See below for more details about the full evaluation process.
All pediatric and adult evaluations at MindWise begin with a brief consultation to allow us to better understand your concerns. The psychologist will then collect and carefully review any medical records or other relevant documents that may provide additional pertinent information about the client. The psychologist then determines the most appropriate testing measures to be administered during the assessment, which is scheduled for a later date.
When you arrive at our office, the psychologist will review the evaluation process with you. During the assessment, the psychologist will administer various testing measures and will interview the parent/caregiver. Testing typically takes two to three hours, but may last longer depending on the complexity of the evaluation.
Most psychological testing requires the client to be at the same location as the psychologist. In-person testing provides MindWise with the best opportunity to observe the client and achieve an accurate diagnosis. However, when a client is physically unable to travel to our offices, or when travel would create an undue hardship for the family, we may consider performing a remote evaluation. Please inquire about remote evaluations if these circumstances apply to you.
If more information is needed after the initial assessment, we may consult other professionals, like a primary care physician/pediatrician, teacher, or therapist, to help inform the diagnostic process. This additional information often helps to clarify the diagnostic picture.
The psychologist will then prepare a comprehensive clinical report that explains their findings and possible diagnosis. After you review the report, you are encouraged to speak with the psychologist to address any remaining questions.
The clinical report is confidential and MindWise will never share it with any other parties without your permission, as permitted by law. However, some families choose to share it with professionals like pediatricians, teachers and therapists to assist with treatment. The purpose of the clinical report is to provide a clear diagnostic impression and may include recommendations for early intervention, behavioral therapy, speech and/or occupational therapy, or adult services.
In addition to English, MindWise Psychological Services offers psychological evaluations in seven other languages, including:
MindWise Psychological Services specializes in psychological testing, and our psychologists are also very familiar with the various treatments and therapies available for the disorders we diagnose. We may refer families to other service providers for treatment or therapy.
Whether you receive a diagnosis from our team or another psychologist, MindWise Psychological Services can provide valuable consultation in the following areas:
Please inquire about our consultation services if you have questions or concerns about starting or continuing treatment or therapy.
Your investment in quality testing services for a neurodevelopmental disorder is critical for achieving a thorough, accurate evaluation. MindWise Psychological Services is committed to providing you with the best roadmap for making informed treatment decisions with clarity and confidence.
The following is an overview of our payment options.
Neurodevelopmental evaluation services (including testing, observation, consultation with family and professional service providers, and preparation of the clinical report) are billed at a fixed hourly rate. We provide an estimate of the hours required to complete an evaluation, including our hourly rate, during an initial free consultation. We do not accept insurance.
California residents may be eligible to receive services, including psychological evaluations, at no charge through one of several Regional Centers, like the San Diego Regional Center. We encourage families to contact their local Regional Center to inquire about these services. Please note that obtaining an evaluation through the San Diego Regional Center does not guarantee that MindWise will be selected to conduct the evaluation. The scheduling (including timing) of your evaluation will be coordinated by the San Diego Regional Center based on their current caseloads and other factors.
We offer a free 15-minute phone call to review your case and provide a description of our treatment consultation services, including our hourly rate.
MindWise Psychological Services proudly complies with the No Surprises Act (Title I Division BB of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021), which was passed by the U.S. Congress and protects you from surprise medical bills. For more information about the No Surprises Act, please visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises.
MindWise Psychological Services is proud to offer a 20% discount to active duty and retired military personnel for psychological evaluations and treatment consultations.
We also offer discounted services based on financial need. If you feel you may qualify for a discount based on financial need, please contact us to request a financial assistance application.