Frequently Asked Questions About Psychological Evaluations

Do you need a referral for a psychological evaluation?

No. Most clients can contact Bright Future Psychology directly and schedule a private psychological or psychoeducational evaluation without a physician’s referral.

A referral or written order may be needed when another provider, insurer, Medicaid plan or treatment program requires particular documentation. For example, a standalone ADOS-2 assessment must be requested by a qualified healthcare professional who will integrate the results into a broader diagnostic evaluation.

How do I know which evaluation is appropriate?

You do not need to determine the exact evaluation before contacting us. During a free phone consultation, we discuss the primary concerns, developmental and educational history, previous testing, purpose of the evaluation and any documentation requirements. We then recommend a focused diagnostic evaluation, Comprehensive Diagnostic Evaluation, gifted assessment or broader comprehensive evaluation. Learn more about our evaluations services.

What if a previous evaluation did not provide a diagnosis but difficulties continue?

A new or more comprehensive evaluation may be appropriate when previous testing did not address all relevant referral questions, the person’s functioning has changed or important concerns remain unexplained. Provide the previous report during the consultation so the psychologist can determine what additional testing may be useful and avoid unnecessary duplication.

How soon can an appointment be scheduled?

Evaluation appointments are generally available within 1–2 weeks. Availability varies according to the type of evaluation, clinician schedule, client availability and the number of testing sessions required.

How quickly will the report be completed?

Written reports are typically completed approximately one week after testing. Complex cases, missing records, additional forms or unusually extensive documentation requirements may affect the timeline.

What ages do you evaluate?

Bright Future Psychology evaluates toddlers, children, teens and adults. The appropriate assessment measures and evaluation format depend on the client’s age, developmental level, communication abilities and referral questions.

Where is Bright Future Psychology located?

Our Naples office is located at:

5633 Strand Boulevard, Suite 311
Naples, Florida 34110

We serve clients from Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero, Fort Myers, Collier County, Lee County and other Southwest Florida communities. Virtual evaluation options are also available when appropriate.

Learn more about our office location.

How should someone prepare for psychological testing?

Get adequate sleep, eat normally, bring prescribed corrective lenses or hearing devices and take medications according to the instructions of the prescribing provider unless otherwise directed.

Provide requested records before the appointment and bring any documentation requirements from a school, university, testing organization or licensing authority. Avoid trying to study for psychological testing; the goal is to understand typical functioning.

What happens during a psychological evaluation?

The process generally includes:

1. A free phone consultation
2. Completion of intake forms
3. Review of educational, developmental, medical or clinical records
4. Clinical or developmental interview
5. Individualized testing
6. Scoring and integration of the findings
7. Feedback consultation
8. Written psychological report

The exact process varies according to the evaluation type and client’s needs.

Should ADHD medication be taken on the day of testing?

Do not change a prescribed medication schedule without consulting the prescribing healthcare professional. Tell the evaluating psychologist which medications are being taken and ask about testing-day instructions before the appointment. The appropriate approach depends on the referral questions, medication and prescribing instructions.

How long does testing take?

Testing time varies considerably.

A focused evaluation may involve approximately 1–2 hours of direct testing. A comprehensive evaluation may require several hours and may be divided across more than one appointment.

Age, attention, fatigue, referral questions and the required assessment battery all affect testing time.

Can evaluations be completed virtually?

Yes. Many evaluations can be completed virtually, in person or through a combination of both formats.

The appropriate format depends on the client’s age and location, selected measures, referral questions, standardized administration requirements and the policies of the organization receiving the report.

Clinical interviews, questionnaires and record review can generally be completed remotely. Direct testing may also be available virtually when the selected measures and circumstances support valid remote administration.

What records should I provide?

Helpful records may include:

• Previous psychological or psychoeducational evaluations
• IEPs and Section 504 Plans
• School records and report cards
• College transcripts
• Standardized test results
• Prior accommodation records
• Medical or treatment records
• Speech-language or occupational-therapy evaluations
• Tutoring or intervention records
• Accommodation approval or denial letters
• Documentation requirements from the receiving organization

What tests do you use?

Test selection is individualized. Depending on age and referral questions, measures may include:

• WISC-V, WPPSI or WAIS-5 cognitive testing
• WIAT-4, KTEA-3 or Woodcock-Johnson achievement testing
• CTOPP-2 and Test of Dyslexia measures
• FAR, FAW or FAM academic-processing measures
• D-KEFS executive-function testing
• CPT-3 or K-CPT 2 attention testing
• BRIEF-2, CEFI or other executive-function rating scales
• BASC-3, Conners 4 and other behavioral measures
• Wechsler memory measures
• ADOS-2, MIGDAS-2, SRS-2 and other autism-related measures
• ABAS-3, Vineland or DP-4 adaptive and developmental measures
• Additional language, memory, processing and condition-specific measures

A client will not necessarily receive every test listed.

Can testing identify slow processing speed or working-memory difficulties?

Yes. Cognitive and neuropsychological measures can assess processing speed, working memory, attention, learning and related abilities. A weakness in one area does not automatically establish a diagnosis. Results are interpreted together with academic performance, developmental history, observations and other assessment findings.

Can one questionnaire or computer test diagnose ADHD?

No. An ADHD diagnosis should not be based on one questionnaire or continuous-performance task.

The evaluation considers developmental and clinical history, functioning across settings, rating scales, behavioral observations, objective test findings and alternative explanations for the symptoms.

Do you evaluate children and adults for ADHD?

Yes. Bright Future Psychology provides focused and comprehensive ADHD evaluations for children, teens and adults. Testing may assess attention, impulsivity, working memory, processing speed and executive functioning while considering learning, emotional, developmental and medical factors that may produce similar difficulties. Learn more about our ADHD diagnostic evaluations for children, teens, and adults.

Do you test for dyslexia?

Yes. Dyslexia evaluations may assess word reading, decoding, reading fluency, comprehension, spelling, phonological processing and related cognitive skills.

Focused dyslexia evaluations and broader comprehensive learning evaluations are available for children, teens and adults. Learn more about our dyslexia diagnostic evaluations for children, teens, and adults.

Do you assess dysgraphia and dyscalculia?

Yes. Depending on the referral questions, testing may assess written expression, spelling, handwriting-related skills, mathematics, calculation, problem solving and related cognitive processes.

Diagnostic conclusions are provided when supported by the clinical history and assessment findings.

Can someone have both ADHD and a learning disability?

Yes. ADHD and learning disabilities frequently occur together.

ADHD may affect attention, consistency, organization and task completion. A learning disability directly affects the development or efficient use of a particular academic skill such as reading, writing or mathematics.

A comprehensive evaluation can examine both areas.

Can gifted individuals have ADHD, autism or dyslexia?

Yes. Gifted individuals can also have ADHD, autism, dyslexia or another learning disability. This combination is often described as twice-exceptional or 2e.

Strong reasoning or academic abilities can sometimes mask a disability, while the disability may prevent the person’s abilities from being fully recognized. A comprehensive evaluation can identify both strengths and support needs. Learn more about our gifted evaluations. 

What is a twice-exceptional or 2e student?

A twice-exceptional student is gifted and also has a disability or neurodevelopmental difference, such as ADHD, autism, dyslexia or another learning disorder. Strong intellectual abilities can sometimes mask the disability, while the disability may prevent the student’s abilities from being fully recognized. A comprehensive evaluation can identify both cognitive strengths and support needs.

What is the difference between an IEP and a Section 504 Plan?

An IEP provides specially designed instruction and related services to an eligible student under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. A Section 504 Plan provides accommodations and access protections to an eligible student with a disability. A psychological evaluation may provide relevant clinical findings and recommendations, but the school independently determines eligibility and develops the educational plan.

Will an evaluation guarantee an IEP or Section 504 Plan?

A private psychological evaluation may provide diagnoses, objective findings and individualized recommendations relevant to educational planning. The school independently determines eligibility for special-education services, an IEP, a Section 504 Plan, placement, services and accommodations.

Is a private evaluation different from a school evaluation?

A school evaluation focuses on eligibility and educational needs under applicable school criteria. A private psychological evaluation may address broader diagnostic, developmental, cognitive, academic, attention and emotional questions.

Families may share a private report with the school, but the school independently reviews the findings and makes eligibility and service decisions.

Can the report help with private-school support?

Yes. A private evaluation may help families and educators understand the student’s learning profile and identify appropriate intervention, classroom strategies and accommodations.

Each private school establishes its own admission, documentation and support policies.

Do you collaborate with schools and other providers?

With appropriate written authorization, the evaluating psychologist may communicate with schools, physicians, therapists, tutors or other professionals when clinically appropriate and within the scope of the evaluation.

Can an evaluation support college or university accommodations?

When clinically supported, an evaluation may document a diagnosis, objective findings, current functional limitations and recommended accommodations. Each college or university independently establishes its documentation requirements and determines eligibility through its disability-services office. Learn more about our testing accommodations evaluations.

Can your evaluations support SAT or ACT accommodation requests?

Yes. An evaluation may provide documentation relevant to SAT, PSAT and Advanced Placement requests through College Board or ACT accommodation requests.

College Board and ACT maintain separate policies and independently determine eligibility and approved accommodations.

Can an evaluation support MCAT, LSAT, GRE, USMLE or Florida Bar requests?

An evaluation may provide relevant documentation for graduate admissions tests, medical examinations and professional licensing examinations.

This may include requests involving the GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, USMLE, NCLEX, Florida Bar Examination, CPA examinations and other licensing tests.

Each organization establishes its own current documentation standards and independently decides whether accommodations are approved.

Does a diagnosis automatically qualify someone for extended time?

No. Testing organizations often consider the diagnosis, objective findings, current functional limitations, prior accommodation history and the relationship between the condition and requested accommodation. A diagnosis alone does not guarantee extended time or another modification.

How recent must an evaluation be?

There is no universal three-year or five-year requirement. Each college, testing organization and licensing authority establishes its own recency and documentation policies. Applicants should obtain current requirements directly from the receiving organization before scheduling.

Can you complete accommodation forms?

When appropriate and within the scope of the evaluation, we may complete clinician portions of accommodation forms or provide supplemental documentation.

Do you accept insurance?

Bright Future Psychology is a private-pay practice. Payment is due according to the service agreement for the selected evaluation. A superbill may be provided upon request for clients who wish to seek possible out-of-network reimbursement.

Will insurance reimburse the evaluation?

Reimbursement depends on the individual insurance plan, diagnosis, benefits, medical-necessity requirements, deductible and other policy terms. We cannot guarantee that an insurer will reimburse any portion of an evaluation. Contact your insurer before scheduling if reimbursement is important to your decision. Learn more about insurance reimbursement for evaluation.

Can HSA or FSA funds be used?

Some clients use health savings account or flexible spending account funds for eligible services. Eligibility is determined by the account administrator and applicable rules. Clients should verify before using those funds.

What will the report include?

Depending on the evaluation, the report may include:

• Background and referral information
• Measures administered
• Test scores and interpretation
• Cognitive and academic strengths
• Areas of difficulty
• Diagnostic conclusions when supported
• Current functional limitations
• Individualized recommendations
• Educational, treatment or accommodation recommendations when appropriate

Will the report be accepted everywhere?

We tailor evaluations to the known referral questions and documentation requirements, but the receiving organization independently determines whether its criteria have been satisfied.

Is evaluation information confidential?

Yes. Psychological records are handled according to applicable privacy, ethical and legal requirements.

Information is not released to a school, physician, testing organization or other third party without appropriate authorization except when disclosure is required or permitted by law.

How often should someone be reevaluated?

There is no universal reevaluation interval. Updated testing may be appropriate when functioning has changed, previous documentation is outdated for its intended purpose, a school or testing organization requests current information, or new diagnostic questions have emerged.