The Gold Standard for Psychological Evaluation, Diagnosis, and Educational Planning in Northeast Florida
The “Parent Pain” of Conducting a Psychological Evaluation
Stop Guessing. Start Understanding. You know your child is smart. You see their creativity, their curiosity, and their potential. But something is getting in the way.
Maybe it’s the nightly meltdowns over homework that should take twenty minutes but takes two hours. Maybe it’s the teacher saying, “They are a sweet kid, but they just need to focus.” Or perhaps you have a nagging feeling that your child experiences the world more intensely—loud noises, scratchy clothes, or social situations seem to overwhelm them.
The “Wait and See” Trap of Not Conducting a Psychological Evaluation
Many parents are told to “wait and see” if their child grows out of it. But in the high-pressure academic environments of St. Johns and Duval County, waiting often means falling behind. A generic diagnosis or a simple checklist from a pediatrician often misses the nuance of why your child is struggling.
At Milestones Child Psychology, we don’t just give you a label. We give you a roadmap. Our comprehensive psychological evaluation will go beyond simple symptom checklists to conduct a deep-dive investigation into your child’s brain. We uncover how they process information, regulate emotion, and learn best, turning “mystery symptoms” into actionable strategies.
Milestones’ Psychological Evaluation Service Menu
We specialize in untangling complex developmental profiles via a comprehensive psychological evaluation. A child rarely fits into just one box, which is why our testing is as comprehensive as possible.
🧩 Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) Testing
Is it Autism, or something else? Autism doesn’t always look like the stereotypes. In high-functioning children, it can look like extreme shyness, rigid adherence to rules, or intense passions for specific topics. We use the ADOS-2 (Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, 2nd Edition)—the gold standard instrument used by research hospitals—to differentiate between Autism, Social Anxiety, and Sensory Processing differences.
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Best for: Children struggling with social communication, eye contact, flexibility, or sensory overload.
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Result: A medical diagnosis required for ABA therapy authorization and school IEP eligibility.
⚡ ADHD & Executive Function Evaluation
More than just “hyperactivity.” ADHD isn’t just about bouncing off the walls. It is a regulation disorder of the brain’s management system. We assess the Executive Functions that control success in school:
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Working Memory: Holding information in mind (like math facts).
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Processing Speed: How fast the brain takes in and outputs information.
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Impulse Control: The “brakes” of the brain.
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Best for: Bright kids who make “careless” mistakes, lose their belongings, or struggle to start tasks.
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Result: Data-driven strategies for home routines and Section 504 Plans at school.
📚 Learning Disability (Dyslexia/Dysgraphia) Testing
Why is reading so hard? If your child is smart but reading is a slow, painful slog, it isn’t a lack of effort. It is likely a processing error. We pinpoint specific deficits in Phonological Processing (Dyslexia), Visual-Motor Integration (Dysgraphia), or Number Sense (Dyscalculia).
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Best for: Students falling behind in reading or math despite tutoring and hard work.
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Result: A legal diagnosis for specialized intervention (like Orton-Gillingham) and accommodations like extra time on tests.
🧠 Gifted & Twice-Exceptional (2e) Testing
Smart, but struggling. We specialize in identifying “Twice-Exceptional” (2e) students. These are children with high IQs (Giftedness) who also have a hidden disability (like ADHD or Anxiety) that masks their potential. They are often stuck in the “Average Trap”—too smart for remedial help, but too struggling for Gifted programs.
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Best for: High-IQ children who are bored in class but failing to turn in work.
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Result: Qualification for Gifted programs (Plan A or Plan B) plus the support needed for their challenges.
Private vs. School Evaluations: What’s the Difference?
Parents often ask, “Can’t I just get this done at school for free?” While schools do provide evaluations, they are limited in scope.
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The School: Tests for Eligibility. They ask, “Is the child failing enough to qualify for help?” They often cannot provide a medical diagnosis (like ADHD or Dyslexia).
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Milestones: Tests for Diagnosis & Potential. We ask, “Why is the child struggling, and what are they capable of?” We look at the whole child, not just their grades.
The Milestones Difference
Why do families from Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, and Jacksonville choose Milestones over large hospital systems?
The “Standard” Experience? Waitlists of 12–18 months at major hospitals. The Report: A confusing medical document.
The Milestones Experience? Speed of ~3 week turnaround time. We publish a roadmap to give families a readable plan linked to school rights.
