Psychological Testing Services in Calabasas, CA

We provide comprehensive psychological assessments for children, adolescents and adults utilizing neuropsychological tests

Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) in Los Angeles & Ventura Counties

MindWorks provides Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs) for students throughout Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, including the San Fernando Valley, Calabasas, and Antelope Valley/Lancaster areas. We have worked with families across multiple school districts, including LAUSD, LVUSD, Lancaster School District, and others.

What Is an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE)?

Do you disagree with an evaluation completed by your child's public school and want an independent assessment? An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is an evaluation conducted by a qualified examiner who is not employed by the school district responsible for your child's education.

Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents have the right to request an IEE at public expense when they disagree with an evaluation completed by the school district. MindWorks does not request IEEs on behalf of parents; however, once an IEE has been requested and approved, families may contact MindWorks about serving as their independent evaluator.

MindWorks has provided IEEs for families across multiple Southern California school districts, including LAUSD, LVUSD, Lancaster Unified, and others. Our role is to provide an independent and objective evaluation of the student's strengths, needs, and educational functioning and provide recommendations based on the findings.

How Do I Request an IEE?

If you disagree with an evaluation completed by your child's public school, you may request an Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) at public expense.

The request should be made directly to your school district. Once an IEE at public expense is requested, the district must, without unnecessary delay, either agree to provide the IEE or file for due process to demonstrate that its evaluation was appropriate.

Each school district may have criteria regarding independent evaluators, including qualifications, location, and cost. If your IEE has been approved, you are welcome to contact MindWorks to discuss the evaluation and determine whether we can meet your district's requirements.

IEE findings may help inform educational eligibility, services, accommodations, and supports. Educational eligibility under IDEA is separate from a clinical diagnosis.

How Long Does Testing Take?

The scope and length of an IEE depend on the areas being evaluated and the school district's authorization. A comprehensive psychoeducational IEE may include approximately 5–6 hours of one-on-one testing across 1–3 appointments, along with record review, interviews, questionnaires, and a school observation when appropriate.

After testing is completed, time is needed to score and interpret the results and prepare a comprehensive written report. A feedback appointment is generally scheduled approximately 2–3 weeks after testing is completed to discuss the findings and recommendations.

What Is Included in Each Evaluation?

Initial Intake: After our initial consultation, a comprehensive intake will be conducted with the individual (and parent, if needed) to fully understand the individual’s needs. These initial series of questionnaires will help create the testing battery that will later be used for the series of one-on-one tests. Contact with doctors, teachers, schools, therapists and psychiatrists (with your permission) are also utilized to help understand the “full picture” of the individual.

Full Review: A full review of psychological, educational and past testing records is conducted.

School Observation:When appropriate to the areas being evaluated, a school observation may be conducted to better understand the student's functioning in the educational setting.

One-on-One Tests: The individual will meet one-on-one with a psychologist in person. During the "testing" appointments, we use the testing battery created in intake to administer a variety of questions, puzzles, word games, pictures and drawings, and stories, as well as some school-like tasks, such as reading and math, to investigate how the student thinks and feels in different settings. Many of our sessions may range from one to four hours, with several short breaks, depending on the individual's energy level. The specific testing included will depend on the scope of the IEE authorized by the school district and the areas being evaluated.

• General cognitive and mental strengths and weaknesses including a full IQ test.

• Academic skills in reading, writing, math, oral language and fine motor skills.

• ADHD concerns and full executive functioning skills.

• Memory skills.

• Emotional and behavioral concerns.

• Autism/neurodevelopmental skills (if requested).

Scope of the Evaluation: The specific areas assessed will depend on the scope of the IEE and the areas of concern being evaluated. Testing may include cognitive, academic, attention and executive functioning, memory, social-emotional, behavioral, and/or neurodevelopmental measures when appropriate.

Evaluation and Interpretation: After testing is complete, Dr. Salanga will score, interpret, and integrate the information into a comprehensive written IEE report. The report will include relevant background and educational history, test results and interpretations, and a summary of the student's strengths and areas of need. Recommendations may include educational supports, accommodations, services, interventions, and other considerations based on the student's individual strengths and areas of need. These recommendations are provided for consideration by the student's IEP team.

Report, Feedback, and IEP Meeting: After the evaluation is completed, the final IEE report will be provided to the parent and school district. Dr. Salanga will review the results with the parent and answer questions about the findings and recommendations. When requested and authorized, Dr. Salanga will also attend the student's IEP meeting to present the evaluation findings, discuss recommendations, and answer questions from the IEP team.