What types of assessments do you offer?
Crescent provides comprehensive psychological, psychoeducational, and independent educational evaluations for children and adolescents. These assessments are designed to understand how your child learns, thinks, feels, and functions in school and daily life, and in comparison to typically-functioning peers. Areas of assessment may include:

• Cognitive and learning abilities
• Academic skills (reading, writing, math)
• Attention, executive functioning, and impulse control (e.g., ADHD)
• Social-emotional functioning and behavior
• Autism spectrum characteristics
• Emotional concerns such as anxiety, depression, or trauma-related symptoms
• Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)

Each evaluation is individualized. The goal is not to “label” a child, but to clearly identify strengths, needs, and the supports that will help your child succeed.

How much do assessments cost?
Assessment fees vary depending on the scope and complexity of the evaluation. Most comprehensive assessments range from $3,000–$5,000 and are billed as stand-alone services. Before beginning, families receive a written cost outline explaining what is included.

Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) are often funded by the school district when parents disagree with a district’s evaluation. Additional information about IEE funding is provided below.

What should I expect during the assessment process?
The assessment process is thorough and collaborative. It typically includes record review, interviews with parents (and sometimes teachers), standardized testing, behavioral observations, and clinical analysis. After testing is complete, we meet for a feedback session to review results in clear, parent-friendly language.

Families receive a detailed written report that explains findings, diagnoses (when appropriate), special education eligibility recommendations, and recommendations to guide school supports, accommodations, services, and interventions that can be implemented at home.

What is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)?
An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is a comprehensive evaluation conducted by a qualified professional who is not employed by the school district. Parents have the legal right to request an IEE when they disagree with a school district’s assessment.

An IEE can clarify eligibility, identify missed areas of need, and provide an independent perspective that is not constrained by district resources or policies.

How much does an IEE cost?
The cost of an IEE is similar to a private comprehensive assessment. In many cases, when an IEE is approved, the school district pays the full cost. Crescent assists families in understanding district criteria, timelines, and documentation requirements so the process feels manageable.

How does an IEE differ from a school district evaluation?
School district evaluations are typically completed by credentialed school psychologists whose role is limited to determining special education eligibility based on California Educational Code.. At Crescent, Independent Educational Evaluations are conducted by Licensed Educational Psychologists (LEP) who are also Credentialed School Psychologists.

This dual qualification is significant because it allows for:

• Special education eligibility determinations under California Education Code, and
• Formal clinical diagnoses using the DSM-5-TR
• True integration of educational, developmental, and clinical perspectives

The result is an evaluation that goes beyond eligibility alone. Families receive more comprehensive and nuanced findings, legally defensible reports, recommendations made by experienced clinicians, and stronger documentation to support planning and advocacy efforts.

Should I request an IEE for my child?
You may want to consider an IEE if the school’s evaluation feels incomplete, does not reflect your child’s daily functioning, minimizes concerns, or leads to conclusions that do not make sense to you. Reach out for a free consultation if you would like help determining whether an IEE is appropriate and next steps.

More information about IEEs and a script for requesting one from your school district is available here.

Questions? Call/text 559-708-4752 or: