Psychological Assessment and Evaluations
Psychological Evaluation
Many individuals and families seek assessment after years of trying to make sense of things—when therapy hasn’t led to lasting change, school or workplace supports don’t seem quite right, or motivation, emotions, and behavior remain difficult to understand. Often, the picture is complex: neurodivergent traits may intersect with anxiety, depression, trauma, or other emotional factors, making it hard to know what is driving the challenges and what supports will actually help.
At KaleidoSpark, assessment is a process of bringing clarity to complexity.
Like a kaleidoscope, many facets can be true at once—cognitive strengths, learning style, attention, emotional functioning, and lived experience all interact in meaningful ways.
Through in-depth evaluation and thoughtful interpretation, Dr. O’Shea works to piece these elements together to illuminate patterns that may have been missed and identify insights that can guide more effective supports, accommodations, and next steps.
Comprehensive evaluations are offered for children, adolescents, and adults to clarify cognitive, learning, attentional, emotional, and developmental profiles. Evaluations are collaborative and integrative, bringing together multiple sources of information to form a clear, nuanced understanding of the whole person.
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Common referral questions include:
ADHD and executive functioning differences
Autism spectrum profiles across development, including later-identified individuals
Learning disabilities and academic challenges, including dyslexia, dysgraphia, & dyscalculia
Giftedness and twice-exceptional (2e) profiles
Emotional, behavioral, or regulatory concerns that intersect with learning and attention
Clarifying the impact of mood, anxiety, obsessive-compulsive tendencies, trauma, and other concerns on functioning and the possible intersection with neurodivergence
Early kindergarten entry testing
IQ testing for giftedness/school or program entry requirements
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An evaluation will start with an intake appointment, where Dr. O’Shea will interview the parents and/or client to gather background information, history, and other pertinent details.
There are then typically two assessment appointments with the client only, that range from 2 to 3 hours in length, where they will complete various tasks with Dr. O’Shea.
A feedback appointment will be scheduled a few weeks after the final evaluation to review findings.
There is no one-size-fits-all evaluation process, with each consultation and assessment tailored for an individual’s needs. A wide range of standardized, evidence-based, norm-referenced assessment tools are part of Dr. O’Shea’s repertoire and provide information that can inform both within-person strengths and vulnerabilities, as well as where they fall within the developmental spectrum.
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An extensive and comprehensive evaluation report will be available a few weeks after the feedback appointment, which will outline all of the results and insights, as well as provide extensive recommendations for home, school, work and community settings, as well as referrals if appropriate.
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Feedback is practical, strengths-oriented, and focused on real-world application, including recommendations for school, work, and daily life.
Dr. O’Shea is available for additional consultation after the feedback appointment to assist in educational implementation of recommendations, support in getting started with community resources, and further exploration of your (or your child’s) profile, identity, and needs.
Why pursue a comprehensive evaluation?
A comprehensive evaluation provides more than a diagnosis—it offers a deeper understanding of how an individual learns, processes information, and functions across settings. For many families, it brings clarity to patterns that may have felt confusing, inconsistent, or difficult to explain.
What can I actually do with the results?
Evaluation results are designed to be practical and actionable. Recommendations may be used to support school accommodations (such as 504 Plans or IEPs), guide therapy or intervention planning, clarify diagnoses, and provide a more cohesive framework for understanding strengths and challenges.
Will this help with school supports or accommodations?
Yes. Evaluations can provide documentation and recommendations that may support accommodations or services in school settings, depending on individual needs.
Why might a diagnosis be helpful?
A diagnosis is not about labeling—it is about understanding.
For many individuals, it can be deeply validating to have their experiences recognized in a clear and meaningful way. It often helps answer long-standing questions and can reduce feelings of confusion, self-doubt, or being “out of sync” with others.
Having a diagnosis also creates a shared language. It can make it easier to communicate needs, advocate for appropriate supports, and help others better understand how to provide meaningful support.
At its core, a diagnosis is one piece of a larger picture—used not to define a person, but to support a more accurate, compassionate understanding of who they are and what they need.
What makes this evaluation different from brief or school-based testing?
This process is intentionally comprehensive and integrative, looking at the full picture rather than isolated skills or brief snapshots. It is particularly helpful for individuals with complex, overlapping, or less straightforward profiles, including those whose strengths may mask areas of difficulty.
What happens after the evaluation is complete?
Following the evaluation, you will receive a detailed report and participate in a feedback session to review findings and recommendations. The goal is to ensure you leave with a clear understanding and practical next steps.
How do I know if an evaluation is the right next step?
If you’re noticing patterns that don’t fully make sense, have lingering questions despite previous supports, or are seeking a more complete understanding to guide decisions moving forward, a comprehensive evaluation may be a helpful next step.
