Assessment and Evaluations in the Tampa Bay Area
Developmental Evaluations for Preschool Children in Tampa
Early childhood can bring many questions about how a child is learning, communicating, behaving, and connecting with others. A developmental evaluation can help families better understand a young child’s strengths, identify areas where additional support may be helpful, and determine whether concerns are consistent with a developmental condition such as autism.
At Tampa Pediatric Psychology, we provide comprehensive developmental evaluations for preschool-aged children, typically starting at age 3. Evaluations are individualized based on each child’s age, developmental history, and the specific concerns shared by their family or school.
What is included in a Developmental Evaluation?
A developmental evaluation looks at how a young child is progressing across several important areas of development. We want families to leave with a clearer understanding of their child and practical recommendations for home, school, and treatment. Depending on the reason for the evaluation, we may assess:
Early learning and cognitive abilities
Communication and language development
Social interaction and play
Emotional and behavioral functioning
Attention and self-regulation
Adaptive and daily living skills
School readiness
Symptoms associated with autism or other developmental conditions
When might a Developmental Evaluation be helpful?
Parents, pediatricians, teachers, or childcare providers may recommend an evaluation when there are concerns about a child’s development or behavior.
Families do not need to know exactly what is causing the concern before reaching out. The evaluation process is designed to help clarify what may be contributing to the child’s development and behavior.
A developmental evaluation may be helpful when a child:
Is not meeting expected developmental milestones
Has delays in speech, language, or communication
Has difficulty engaging with other children or adults
Shows limited pretend play or unusual play patterns
Has intense reactions to changes, transitions, or sensory experiences
Struggles with emotional or behavioral regulation
Has difficulty following classroom routines
Appears significantly ahead in some areas and delayed in others
Has been referred for an autism evaluation
Is preparing to enter preschool or kindergarten and there are concerns about school readiness
Developmental Evaluations for Autism
When autism is a concern, the evaluation may include autism-specific assessment measures, including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, Second Edition, commonly called the ADOS-2.
The ADOS-2 is one part of a comprehensive evaluation. Results are considered alongside the child’s developmental history, parent report, behavioral observations, rating scales, and other testing. The evaluation may explore areas such as:
Social communication
Reciprocal interaction
Play and imagination
Flexibility
Repetitive behaviors or interests
Sensory differences
Emotional and behavioral regulation
Early Childhood Evaluations in Tampa
What Does the Evaluation Process Include?
The exact process is customized for each child, but developmental evaluations typically include several components.
Parent Intake
The process begins with a detailed interview with the child’s parent or caregiver. We discuss developmental milestones, medical and educational history, current concerns, family observations, and the child’s functioning across settings.
Child Assessment
Testing is designed to be developmentally appropriate and may feel more like structured play than traditional testing. The psychologist may use toys, pictures, puzzles, conversation, and interactive activities to assess the child’s skills.
Parent and Teacher Questionnaires
Parents and, when appropriate, teachers or childcare providers may complete questionnaires about the child’s behavior, communication, social development, adaptive skills, attention, and emotional functioning.
Review of Records
With permission, we may review relevant records such as school reports, previous evaluations, early intervention documents, therapy notes, or medical information.
Feedback Session
After testing is complete, families meet with the psychologist to review the findings. We explain the results in clear language, discuss any diagnoses, and provide individualized recommendations.
Written Report
Families receive a written report summarizing the evaluation results, diagnostic impressions, and recommendations for treatment, school, and home.
What Can a Developmental Evaluation Diagnose?
Depending on the child’s presentation and the scope of the evaluation, results may help clarify concerns related to:
Autism spectrum disorder
Developmental delays
Attention and self-regulation
Language or communication concerns
Anxiety
Behavioral or emotional difficulties
Adaptive functioning
School readiness
Giftedness or advanced cognitive development
Recommendations After the Evaluation
Recommendations are based on a child’s individual profile. We focus on helping families understand what to do next rather than simply providing test scores or a diagnosis.
Speech and language therapy
Occupational therapy
Parent training or behavioral support
Play-based or individual therapy
Early intervention services
Preschool or school accommodations
Classroom strategies
Social skills support
Additional medical or developmental consultation
Monitoring and reevaluation over time
Why Choose Tampa Pediatric Psychology?
Our developmental evaluations are completed by psychologists and supervised doctoral-level clinicians with experience assessing young children. We understand that preschool-aged children may be shy, active, cautious, playful, or inconsistent during testing. The evaluation is designed to account for your child’s age, temperament, and comfort level.
We know how difficult it can be to see your child struggling. Reach out to our office by completing the contact form below. A brief consultation will be arranged to discuss your concerns, review your child's background information, and answer any questions you may have.