- 1440 Kapiolani Blvd Suite 1200 Honolulu, HI 96814
Our evaluations help uncover the reasons behind a child’s struggles and strengths in school and daily life. At the Psychology Center of Hawaii, we take a warm, reassuring approach so parents and kids alike feel comfortable. With our guidance, you’ll gain clarity and a plan to help your child thrive academically, socially, and emotionally.
There’s a strong research base showing that earlier identification + earlier targeted supports can improve later functioning (language, adaptive skills, behavior regulation, school participation, and lowered family stress), especially when support begins during periods of high brain plasticity in preschool. In many instances, early assessment leads to less need for support or special education later in life. Early assessment, diagnoses and supports can change the trajectory of your child’s future for the better.
Parents seek our pediatric neuropsychological assessments for many reasons. You might recognize your own concerns in some of these common situations:
Difficulty paying attention, possible ADHD symptoms, or unusual distractibility for their age.
Challenges in reading, writing or math; your child may be falling behind or getting frustrated with schoolwork despite effort.
Milestones (speech, social skills, motor skills) not being met on time, or concerns about Autism Spectrum traits.
Anxiety, depression, or behavioral outbursts that seem out of the ordinary and might be connected to clinical issues.
Your child shows signs of exceptional talent or intellect and you want to understand their abilities (or they excel in one area but struggle in others).
Our evaluations can identify specific learning disorders (like dyslexia or ADHD) and differentiate them from other issues. The goal is to give you a detailed understanding of how your child learns and processes information, so you can secure the right support: from classroom accommodations to specific therapeutic interventions at home or with a professional.
Many Honolulu-area private schools require an IQ test or cognitive assessment as part of their admissions process or for placement into gifted programs. We offer specialized evaluation services to meet these needs.
We use gold-standard IQ tests suited to your child’s age. For preschool and young children, we administer the WPPSI-IV (Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence); for older children and teens, we use the WISC-V (Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children). These fun, puzzle-like activities evaluate reasoning, knowledge, memory, and much more.
Our psychologists provide a formal report of your child’s scores and strengths. This report is written in clear, professional language and meets private school requirements for admission applications.
We understand application deadlines are important. A short waitlist and prompt scheduling mean you’ll have results in hand as quickly as possible. Whether your goal is to enroll in a competitive Honolulu private school or to better understand your child’s abilities, our admissions-focused testing is thorough yet child-friendly.
Many Honolulu-area private schools require an IQ test or cognitive assessment as part of their admissions process or for placement into gifted programs. We offer specialized evaluation services to meet these needs:
We know that children do their best when they feel at ease. Our team has created a comfortable testing environment that helps kids relax and engage
Our examiners are trained to connect with kids using patience, encouragement, and even a bit of playfulness. We explain things in simple terms so nothing feels scary or confusing.
Testing can be tiring, so we schedule snack breaks, movement breaks, and positive reinforcement (like stickers or small prizes) to keep your child motivated.
Many tasks feel like games or puzzles. We often use iPad-based testing or colorful physical materials that make the process fun.
We welcome, and encourage, parents to be part of the process. From the initial interview to the feedback session, your insights and questions guide us in making the evaluation meaningful for your family. And yes, we will have many clinical surveys for you to fill out as well.
Our approach is holistic and integrative. We consider academic skills, cognitive abilities, behavior, and emotions together. The result is a nuanced understanding of your child. Often, kids leave their evaluation feeling seen and proud (they get to “show off” what they know) and parents feel relieved to finally have answers, hope, and a plan.
To deepen our understanding, we offer optional high-tech assessments as part of the evaluation
It is extremely helpful to take a look at the actual brain activity to get answers and an explanation. This non-invasive “brain map” records your child’s brainwave patterns while they relax. It can highlight patterns associated with focus, impulsivity, mood regulation, and inter-brain communication; providing another layer of insight beyond traditional tests . (This service is optional and only utilized with parent consent.)
The Integrated Visual and Auditory Continuous Performance Test (IVA-CPT) is a specialized diagnostic tool designed to evaluate attention, focus, and overall cognitive performance. It is particularly effective in assessing individuals for conditions such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) and other attention-related challenges. By analyzing responses to both visual and auditory stimuli over a continuous period, the IVA-CPT provides a detailed and nuanced understanding of cognitive functioning.
While these technologies are cutting-edge, our philosophy is child-centered. We only use tools that add value to your child’s evaluation. The priority is always making sure the child is comfortable and that results will meaningfully guide their support plan.
Once the evaluation is complete, we compile all findings into a comprehensive and understandable report. In a follow-up meeting (with parents, and older kids when appropriate), we explain.
We’ll walk you through your child’s cognitive profile. What they excel in, and what areas are challenging, and explain any diagnoses in plain language.
You’ll receive personalized recommendations, which may include strategies for home, specific teaching approaches, tutoring, therapies, or school accommodations. (We have extensive experience writing reports for IEP meetings and 504 Plans, so schools get the information they need to make sure your child may benefit from supports and early interventions).
We take time to answer all your questions. Our goal is that you leave feeling informed and empowered to advocate for your child.
Have questions about our programs or services? Fill out the form below and our team will be happy to assist you.