Educational and Academic Planning Evaluations
Assessing Strengths, Identifying Challenges & Needs, Supporting Success
Educational and academic planning evaluations offer a deeper understanding of:
-
Cognitive functioning (IQ) and academic achievement
-
Areas of giftedness, twice-exceptionality, and unique strengths
-
Possible learning differences such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia
-
Executive functioning skills and weaknesses
Through comprehensive, individualized assessment, Dr. Katen explores each student’s learning profile to identify what comes naturally, where challenges arise, and which supports may help. Clear, personalized reports translate findings into practical recommendations for educational planning, empowering students and families to advocate for their needs, build on their strengths, and pursue meaningful academic success.
What is an Educational and Academic Planning Evaluation?
Through assessments of cognitive functioning (IQ) and academic skills in oral language, reading, writing, and math, this evaluation provides a detailed picture of a student’s abilities and learning needs. The findings help parents and teachers make informed decisions about educational goals, classroom instruction, and appropriate support or enrichment.
What are the benefits?
Understanding how your student learns helps you make confident decisions about their education—and helps them better understand themselves. An evaluation can clarify strengths, explain persistent challenges, and guide you toward instruction, accommodations, and strategies tailored to your student’s needs. Rather than waiting for difficulties to grow, you can use these insights to advocate for support, nurture areas of talent, and help your student approach learning with greater confidence and independence.
Is an evaluation right for your student?
If you have questions about your student’s progress, strengths, or experience at school, an Educational and Academic Planning Evaluation can help you understand what they need to thrive. These evaluations are for students who are struggling, showing advanced abilities, or experiencing a confusing mix of both. You don’t need to wait until your child falls behind to seek clarity and plan for their needs.
Parents may seek an evaluation when:
✔️ Reading, writing, spelling, or math remains
difficult despite extra help.
✔️ Homework takes excessive time or leads to
frequent frustration or avoidance.
✔️ Their student shows advanced abilities and
may need greater academic challenge.
✔️ They need clearer guidance about instruction,
interventions, or school supports.
✔️ Their student's school performance does not
seem to reflect their abilities or effort.
✔️ They suspect a learning different, such as
dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia.
✔️ They want to understand why their student
excels in some areas, but struggles in others.
✔️ They disagree with school evaluation findings
and seek an independent opinion.
PERSONALIZED EXPERIENCE
Why Individual Matters?
Parents deserve clear answers and practical guidance from someone who understands both their child and the educational systems that support them.
Dr. Katen brings expertise in evaluation, learning and education, and child development, grounded in nearly twenty years of specialized assessment experience with thousands of children and adolescents. She understands how thinking and learning challenges can overlap with other neurodevelopmental differences, as well as how to navigate school processes, IEPs, and 504 plans. She translates that understanding into personalized recommendations and practical next steps, helping you make confident decisions, advocate effectively, and support your child’s strengths and needs at school and beyond.
Dr. Katen believes that every student matters, and every evaluation is an opportunity to shape a brighter future.
FROM YOUR FIRST CALL TO YOUR NEXT STEPS
What is the evaluation process?
1) Initial Contact
We will ask about your student, document areas of concern and interest, explain our process, and share costs. You will then complete and return an intake form to our office.
2) Pre-Evaluation Consultation
Consultations with Dr. Katen are warm, collaborative conversations focused on you and your goals. During these sessions, you can share your student’s academic and developmental history, concerns, and hopes, while Dr. Katen listens carefully, takes notes, and answers your questions. She can also review clinical or medical records, IEPs, 504 plans, and other relevant documents to better understand the full picture. It is always your choice whether to bring your child, and children may join for part or all the consultation if that feels helpful.
3) Evaluation
Evaluations are in-person and may last for a few hours or a few sessions, depending on many factors such as age, stamina, the referral questions, the type of evaluation, and need. Dr. Katen performs all aspects of the evaluation herself; she does not use technicians or interns.
4) Feedback Meeting and
Written Report
Within 2–3 weeks, your written report will provide test result data and recommendations for moving forward. You’ll meet with Dr. Katen to discuss the results, next steps, and answer your questions.
Frequent Questions
What is the First Step in the evaluation process? The first step in the evaluation process is to contact Individual Matters. Feel free to do this by phone, email, or by using our contact form. We’ll gather some initial information and talk to you about how the process works. The next step is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Katen. During this 90-minute meeting, you (the parent) and your child (attendance is optional) can share your concerns, ideas, and goals for testing. Dr. Katen will listen, ask questions, and take notes. Feel free to bring copies of any previous testing, relevant medical records, and academic records. Dr. Katen will review these documents, explain how the evaluation process works, go over costs and scheduling, and design a test scope/price that fits your needs. When the consultation ends, you will know exactly what service you are getting and how much it will cost. If you are unsure whether you want or need an evaluation or are unclear about what type or scope is most appropriate, a consultation with Dr. Katen is an excellent first step. This meeting is designed to provide answers to your questions and offer you a “road map” of considerations, options, and resources. You will leave the consultation feeling more knowledgeable and confident to make the right decisions for your child. In addition, Dr. Katen can share insights and direction about how to apply for school-based or clinical services or accommodations. If your child has already been assessed elsewhere, Dr. Katen can review those reports and deliver clarification about scores, analyses, and diagnoses. From time to time (depending on the unique needs and situations of a family), an evaluation might not be the next best step; instead, another treatment or direction may take priority (such as counseling, medication management, or an occupational therapy or speech-language assessment). In these cases, Dr. Katen can help design a plan and connect you with appropriate providers.
How do I know what type of evaluation is needed? During your consultation with Dr. Katen, she works with you to design a evaluation scope that is most appropriate to your child's (or your) unique needs. Scope and cost will be determined prior to beginning the evaluation process.
Where can I read client testimonials? We do not share client testimonials on our website. This choice is made to protect client privacy and keep personal experiences confidential. It is also an ethical decision, because asking for testimonials can create pressure in the relationship and may make clients feel obligated to share private information, which goes against respect, choice, and trust. We invite you reach out to your doctor, therapist, teacher, friends, and family - inquire about their experiences to help you find the right person or place to support your needs and goals.
What is included in the evaluation process? Following the initial consultation, the evaluation process proceeds as follows: 1. Interview – Educational and developmental history is gathered through a semi-structured interview. You, your child, or the entire family may take part in this process. 2. Test Administration – The number and length of sessions required to complete test administration depends on the type of evaluation and, most importantly, the needs of the client. Administration is typically completed in one session, each of which may be 2-3 hours long. This varies by individual needs, stamina, focus, etc. 3. Analysis – Scoring, analysis, and report generation is completed over the next couple weeks. 4. Feedback – The evaluation process is concluded with a 90-minute feedback session, during which Dr. Katen provides an in-depth explanation of test measures, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. 5. Report – Clients receive a comprehensive report that clearly outlines test measures, findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Recommendations are specific and highly individualized evaluations.
Who completes the evaluation? Dr. Katen works closely with each client throughout the evaluation process – from consultation to feedback. She performs every assessment herself and does not utilize technicians or student interns.
How do I get my test results? Test results are provided at the feedback session with Dr. Katen in a comprehensive, hardcopy report and thorough explanation of findings. Electronic versions of reports are also available.
Are my results shared with anyone else? No. You are the owner of your evaluation report. The only situations in which Individual Matters will share client records with third parties are the following: 1) with your (client's/guardian's) written permission, 2) when failing to do so could put someone else at severe risk, or 3) in response to a court order.
What if I still have questions after the feedback? Additional or ongoing consultation with Dr. Katen is available at your request.
What should we bring to the test session? We encourage you to bring snacks and a drink. We also recommend that children bring a favorite toy, photos, or other comfort items (Yes, “Mr. Wiggles,” your child’s snuggle buddy, is absolutely welcome!)
What should I tell my child about testing? We feel it is important that you use your own judgment when deciding how and what to tell your child about the evaluation. Helpful approaches can be discussed at the initial consultation.
What if the school says my child is “fine,” but I feel like they are struggling? If you believe your child is struggling, they probably are. In any case, you don’t need the school’s recommendation to pursue a private evaluation. Even when you are told your child is “fine,” you should probably trust your parent intuition.
What are some reasons a parent may seek a private evaluation? If you have any questions about your child’s learning or development, or you are seeking to better understand their unique patterns of strengths and struggles, a private evaluation is a good option. Parents often choose an independent educational evaluation to get a second opinion if they believe the school’s testing does not fully or accurately show their child’s needs. Private evaluations may yield faster results, clearer explanations, help with diagnosis and academic planning, and guidance for medical, therapy, or school supports that go beyond what the school can provide.
Why are Dr. Katen's evaluations so individualized? She believes that every child is as unique as their fingerprints. There is no “one size fits all” approach to understanding a child’s gifts, interests, joys, and struggles. A well-done evaluation should be tailored to the specific needs of the child and their family.
Does Dr. Katen attend school IEP meetings? Yes. Following an evaluation, Dr. Katen will attend an IEP meeting.
Are evaluations covered by insurance? Individual Matters does not accept insurance and all services are private-pay only. Typically, health insurance will NOT pay for learning evaluations, as these are considered "educational" (non-medical). Please note that we are not in-network with Medicaid, and Medicaid does not allow members to see out-of-network providers. If you have Medicaid, please contact your plan to find in-network providers.