Frequently Asked Questions
These are the questions families ask most often. If something isn’t covered here, the free
consultation is a good place to get it answered.
ABOUT THE PRACTICE
What is a Licensed Educational Psychologist?
A Licensed Educational Psychologist (LEP) is a California-licensed clinician who specializes in the assessment of learning, cognitive, and neurodevelopmental differences in educational contexts. LEPs are trained to administer and interpret psychological and educational tests, diagnose conditions like ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities, and provide recommendations that support students in school and beyond.
LEPs are distinct from school psychologists (who work within districts) and clinical psychologists (who focus primarily on mental health treatment). Our work sits at the intersection of psychological assessment and education.
What makes Learning Pathways different from other evaluation practices?
A few things. We tailor every evaluation to the specific question being asked, rather than running the same battery on every student. Our reports are written to be read and understood, not just filed. Every evaluation includes a feedback meeting where we walk through results in plain language and make sure families leave with clarity.
We also include follow-up consultation time with most packages, so families have somewhere to turn when questions come up after the evaluation is done. And our team has particular expertise in complex and high-masking presentations that are often missed elsewhere.
Do you work with adults?
Yes, with some parameters. We offer evaluations for adults seeking clarity about ADHD, autism, or learning disabilities such as dyslexia. Because we are licensed educational psychologists, our work needs to connect to educational history, vocational functioning, or the impact of learning differences on daily life. For ADHD, autism, and learning disabilities, that connection is straightforward and well within our scope.
Many adults come to us after watching their child go through an evaluation and recognizing themselves in the findings. Others have spent years wondering why certain things feel harder than they seem to for everyone else. We use assessment tools with appropriate adult norms and bring the same neurodiversity-affirming approach we use with students.
If you are unsure whether an adult evaluation is the right fit, the free consultation is a good place to start.
What ages do you see?
We work with students from preschool age through young adulthood. For very young children
(ages two to three), we can evaluate when a family is considering preschool enrollment or has
early developmental concerns. For older students and adults, the focus shifts toward how
learning differences affect academic performance and planning.
ABOUT EVALUATIONS
Can't I just have my child evaluated through the school district?
Yes, and it may be worth considering. Parents have the right to request a free psychoeducational evaluation through their child’s public school district at any time.
The key difference is scope and purpose. School district evaluations are designed to determine special education eligibility under California education code. They do not diagnose conditions using the DSM-5- TR, and they may or may not include detailed recommendations beyond eligibility decisions.
Private evaluations through Learning Pathways are designed to answer a broader question:
how does this student think, learn, and process the world, and what do they need? We provide DSM-5-TR diagnoses when appropriate, more detailed recommendations, and a report written to be useful to families, schools, and outside providers.
It is also worth knowing that school psychologists typically carry high caseloads and districts are not required to evaluate during breaks longer than five school days. Wait times can be significant.
We’re happy to talk through which option makes more sense for your situation. Sometimes the district is the right starting point. We’ll tell you honestly if we think that’s the case.
What does the evaluation process actually look like?
It typically unfolds in three phases. First, an initial consultation where we talk through your concerns, review any relevant history, and determine the right scope of evaluation. Second, the testing itself, which takes place across one to four sessions in our Folsom office, each lasting one to three hours depending on your child’s age and stamina. We also gather parent and teacher input through rating scales and questionnaires during this phase. Third, a feedback meeting where we review the written report together, explain what the results mean, and answer your questions.
The full process typically takes about a month from intake to feedback meeting.
What will the report look like?
Our reports are written differently than most psychoeducational reports you may have seen.
Here is what to expect.
The report opens with a Summary and Impressions section that leads with the answer. You will know what we found within the first two paragraphs. If a diagnosis was identified, it is stated clearly and early, not buried at the end. If diagnostic criteria were not met, we explain that too, along with what the findings do suggest.
The body of the report is organized around questions rather than test names. Sections are written in plain language and address things like: What are this student’s key strengths? How do they approach learning? How does attention or regulation affect their daily functioning? This
format makes the report accessible to parents, teachers, and outside providers without requiring a background in psychology to understand it.
Recommendations are specific and practical. They are written for real life at home and at school, not just for a file. Where appropriate, we include guidance on outside services that may
be helpful.
Appendices include the full test score data, a guide to understanding test scores, a description of all measures used, and relevant background information for those who want that level of
detail.
Before testing begins, families also receive a handout explaining what to expect during the evaluation process and a short video introduction from Stephanie so you can see a familiar face before your first appointment.
Do you need to pull my child out of school for testing?
Not necessarily. Scheduling is flexible and we work around each family’s situation.
Appointments can be scheduled during the school day, after school, on school holidays or breaks, and occasionally on weekends. Families receive a scheduling link to choose the times that work best.
FEES AND INSURANCE
Do you accept insurance?
We do not accept insurance. We are a private-pay practice and use flat-fee pricing so families know exactly what to expect before anything begins.
We can provide a superbill upon request, which includes the relevant CPT codes and diagnosis information that some insurance plans accept for out-of-network reimbursement. We cannot guarantee reimbursement, and we strongly recommend contacting your insurance provider in advance if this is something you are considering.
How does your pricing work?
We use flat-fee pricing. Before testing begins, you will receive a Good Faith Estimate and informed consent paperwork that clearly outlines your fee and exactly what is included. There are no surprise charges after the fact.
Fee information for each evaluation type is listed on our For Families page.
APPROACH
What does neurodiversity-affirming mean in practice?
It means we approach differences in how people think and learn as part of normal human variation, not as deficits to be fixed. ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurodevelopmental differences come with real challenges, especially in systems designed around a narrow version of normal. But they also come with genuine strengths, and our evaluations are designed to identify and communicate both.
In practice, this shapes everything from how we talk to students during testing, to how we write reports, to the kinds of recommendations we make. We do not use shame-based or deficit-only framing. We help students and families understand how a brain works, not just what it struggles
with.
Do you provide diagnoses?
Yes. When diagnostic criteria are met under the DSM-5-TR, we provide formal diagnoses. This includes ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, specific learning disabilities such as dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia, and other conditions within our scope of practice as Licensed
Educational Psychologists.
I still have a question that isn't answered here.
The free consultation is the best next step. It’s 30 minutes, there’s no obligation, and it’s a good way to ask questions specific to your child’s situation before committing to anything.