100 Cummings Center
Suite 534-M
Beverly, MA, 01915
intakes@coastalpsychologicalcenter.com

​Neurodevelopmental Evaluations for Toddlers & Preschoolers

(18 months–5 years)

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The first few years of life are a period of extraordinary brain development. When concerns arise during these early years, timely evaluation can provide answers and guide interventions when they can have the greatest impact.

 

Families often come to us because they notice differences in how their child is communicating, interacting with others, learning new skills, or managing everyday routines.

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We evaluate concerns including:

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• Developmental delays

• Speech and language delays

• Social communication differences

• Behavioral regulation

• Emotional regulation

• School readiness

• Cognitive development

• Adaptive functioning

• Sensory-related concerns

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Our evaluations help families understand their child's developmental profile while providing clear recommendations for Early Intervention, preschool services, therapies, and educational planning.

 

Common Questions

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"Should my child be talking more?"

"Is this typical toddler behavior?"

"Does my child need additional support before kindergarten?"

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Comprehensive Autism Evaluations Across Childhood & Adolescence

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Autism presents differently from one child to another. Some children show developmental differences during infancy or toddlerhood, while others, particularly girls or those with strong language skills, may not receive recognition until later.

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Our clinicians have extensive experience evaluating autism across a wide range of developmental levels and presentations.

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We provide evaluations for:

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• Toddlers with early developmental concerns

• Preschool and elementary-aged children

• Children with subtle social communication differences

• Gifted children whose autism may be overlooked

• Adolescents seeking diagnostic clarification

• Transition-age teens preparing for adulthood

 

Our comprehensive evaluations consider communication, social interaction, executive functioning, adaptive skills, emotional functioning, sensory differences, and everyday independence.

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Following evaluation, we provide individualized recommendations that may include educational supports, therapeutic services, community resources, and transition planning.

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Looking Beyond Attention

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Difficulty paying attention is only one piece of the puzzle.

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Children with ADHD often experience challenges with organization, planning, working memory, emotional regulation, task initiation, and maintaining effort. Similar difficulties can also result from anxiety, learning disabilities, sleep problems, or other developmental differences.

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Our evaluations help distinguish between these possibilities and identify the underlying factors contributing to a child's difficulties.

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We commonly evaluate concerns such as:

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• Inattention

• Hyperactivity

• Impulsivity

• Organization

• Time management

• Emotional regulation

• Executive functioning

• Homework struggles

• Study skills

 

Our goal is to provide practical recommendations that support success both inside and outside the classroom.

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Reading • Writing • Mathematics

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When learning is more difficult than expected, understanding why can make all the difference.

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We conduct comprehensive evaluations for children experiencing challenges with:

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• Reading (including dyslexia)

• Written expression (including dysgraphia)

• Mathematics (including dyscalculia)

• Language-based learning differences

• Processing speed

• Working memory

• Higher-order reasoning

 

Our evaluations identify both strengths and challenge while helping families and schools develop effective educational plans.​

 

 

Recognizing Exceptional Strengths and Hidden Challenges

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Gifted children do not always thrive effortlessly.

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Sometimes exceptional reasoning abilities mask learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, or anxiety. In other cases, underlying challenges prevent gifted students from fully demonstrating their abilities.

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These twice-exceptional learners often present with uneven development that can be confusing for families and educators alike.

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Our evaluations help identify:

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• Intellectual giftedness

• Academic talent

• Cognitive strengths

• Executive functioning weaknesses

• Learning disabilities

• ADHD

• Autism

• Emotional factors affecting performance

 

We help families better understand their child's unique learning profile while providing recommendations that nurture strengths and support areas of need.

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Supporting Children and Adolescents Through Increasing Emotional Demands

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As children enter school they can experience a wide range of difficult feelings.  With increased academic expectations, stress from peer relationships, and increasing independence these new demands can affect your child's emotional well-being.

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Our evaluations help clarify how emotional functioning interacts with attention, learning, and everyday performance.

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We frequently evaluate concerns related to:

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• Anxiety

• Depression

• School avoidance​

• Emotional regulation

• Social challenges

• Self-esteem

• Executive functioning

• College readiness

 

Our goal is not simply to identify difficulties, but to help children and teens better understand themselves while providing families with practical recommendations that foster resilience and long-term success.