Evaluations for Manatee County Families

Do you see families from Manatee County?

Yes — I work with families from Bradenton, Lakewood Ranch, Parrish, and Palmetto. All in-person testing happens in Pinellas County, and for many Manatee families the drive across the Sunshine Skyway makes St. Petersburg one of the closest private testing options.

I am a Nationally Certified School Psychologist with more than 15 years of experience, licensed in Florida, and I work with children from age 5 through high school. That experience inside the system means I write reports the way district teams need to see them — which matters just as much for a family in Parrish as it does for one in Pinellas. You can read more about my background here.

Will the School District of Manatee County accept a private evaluation?

Yes. My reports are written to meet Florida district requirements and are accepted by the School District of Manatee County, along with Pinellas, Hillsborough, and Pasco. The district's staffing committee makes the final eligibility decision — my job is to give that committee complete, clearly documented results to base it on.

If you want to understand exactly how districts handle outside reports, I've written a plain-language guide: Will Florida schools accept a private evaluation? →

Gifted testing for Manatee County students

Manatee County follows Florida's gifted rule (Rule 6A-6.03019, F.A.C.), which generally looks for a full-scale IQ around 130 on an individually administered test, a majority of gifted characteristics on a standardized checklist, and demonstrated need for the program.

I administer the RIAS-2 or the WISC-V, complete the characteristics checklist, and document everything the district's gifted team needs to make its decision. Learn more about gifted evaluations →  ·  Gifted eligibility by county →

How I can help

• Gifted evaluations — RIAS-2 or WISC-V, with the full documentation Manatee's gifted team reviews
• Psychoeducational evaluations — dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, and other learning concerns
• 504 evaluations — documentation for classroom accommodations
• ADHD evaluations — documenting educational impact to support 504 or IEP decisions
• Private-school admissions testing — for schools that require an individually administered IQ test
• Executive functioning evaluations — organization, attention, and follow-through

How fast can my child be tested?

Appointments are typically available within 1 to 2 weeks, and the full process — from your free consultation through the feedback session — usually takes about 2 to 3 weeks. A district evaluation can take up to 90 school days.

For a family driving in from Lakewood Ranch or Bradenton, that speed means one clear plan instead of a semester of waiting.

What does testing cost for Manatee families?

Gifted evaluations are $425 with the RIAS-2 or $450 with the WISC-V. A full psychoeducational evaluation is $1,500, and a 504 evaluation is $1,700. Fees for ADHD, admissions, and executive functioning evaluations are confirmed during your free consultation.

This is a private-pay practice — I don't bill insurance, and insurance rarely covers school-related psychoeducational testing. I accept cash, check, and Zelle, and I provide a detailed receipt you can submit for HSA or FSA reimbursement. FES-UA (Family Empowerment Scholarship — Unique Abilities) funds may apply; just ask during the consultation. Full details are on the pricing page, and common questions are answered in the FAQ.