What to Expect from an ICAN Diagnostic Evaluation

When you're concerned about your child’s development, behavior, or learning, it’s natural to feel uncertain—or even a little overwhelmed. At ICAN, we understand that taking the first step toward answers can be emotional, and we’re here to walk with you every step of the way.

Our diagnostic evaluation process is designed to be thorough, thoughtful, and family-centered. We want you to feel informed and supported, and for your child to feel comfortable and safe. Here’s what you can expect from start to finish:

Step 1: The Intake Appointment – Setting the Stage for Understanding

Your first appointment will be with one of our diagnosticians. This may be a psychologist, pediatrician, or a nurse practitioner. This is a conversation-based appointment where we’ll take time to get to know you and your child. This appointment takes place virtually via telehealth with one of our providers.

We’ll ask about your child’s strengths, challenges, developmental history, and your current concerns. You don’t need to prepare anything formal—just come ready to share your observations and hopes for your child. Many parents tell us this appointment feels like a relief—it’s a chance to talk to someone who truly listens and understands what you’ve been going through.

This appointment also helps us determine which kinds of testing or observations will best support your child’s needs moving forward.

Step 2: In-Person Testing – A Child-Friendly Experience

Next, you and your child will come in for an in-person testing appointment with one of our psychometrists. Psychometrists are specially trained to administer assessments in a way that’s both accurate and supportive. These evaluations might include puzzles, games, questions, and activities that explore how your child learns, communicates, solves problems, and manages emotions.

We do everything we can to make this a positive experience. Our staff are warm and friendly, and we take breaks as needed so your child can stay comfortable. Parts of the in person assessment will have you and your child both in the room, and portions of the assessment require your child to participate independently. You’re welcome to wait nearby during the appointment, and we’ll keep you informed about how your child is doing throughout the visit.

Every child is different, so we pace the session according to your child’s age, energy level, and needs. Some evaluations are completed in an hour and others take up a full 2 hours.

Step 3: Feedback Appointment – Making Sense of the Results

After the testing is complete and all the information has been reviewed, you’ll meet again, virtually, with your diagnostician for a feedback session. This is where we walk you through what we’ve learned about your child—both the challenges and the strengths.

We’ll explain any diagnoses (if applicable), answer all your questions, and offer recommendations that are specific to your child and your family. These might include therapy, school accommodations, parenting supports, or referrals to other professionals. Our goal is for you to leave this appointment with clarity, direction, and hope.

Many families say they feel empowered after this visit—finally understanding the “why” behind their child’s struggles, and having a clear path forward.

But what’s next?

Okay—so we’ve just shared a boatload of information and a list of recommendations tailored to your child. While it’s often a relief to finally understand the “why” behind your child’s challenges, we also know it can feel overwhelming to figure out what comes next.

At ICAN, we recognize that no two children—or families—are exactly alike. That’s why our recommendations are always individualized. Because we’re a multidisciplinary clinic, we’re able to support many of the next steps right here under one roof. This may include additional evaluations or intake appointments to begin services such as Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA), occupational therapy, speech therapy, or physical therapy.

We do our best to simplify this part of the process for you. In many cases, we can schedule these evaluations together in a single block of time, making it easier for your family to move forward without juggling multiple appointments across different locations. Once those evaluations are complete, we’ll work with you to identify therapy goals that align with your child’s strengths and needs—so they can begin growing, thriving, and building skills right away.