FAQs
Getting Started
How long does the assessment process take?
Most families move from their initial intake call to a completed written report and feedback session in 3 to 6 weeks. This is significantly faster than hospital systems and large clinics in Orange County, where families routinely wait 6 to 18 months. The testing itself typically takes one to three sessions depending on the complexity of the profile.
What ages do you work with?
We work with both children and adults. We evaluate children starting around age 18-24 months through adulthood. Many of our adult clients are seeking answers for the first time after years of unexplained struggles — late-diagnosed autism and ADHD in adults, particularly women, is a growing part of our practice.
Can you evaluate my child if they've already been tested before?
Yes. We frequently see children who received a prior evaluation that felt incomplete, missed a profile like 2e, AuDhd, PDA, or simply didn't capture the full picture. If you have previous testing records, please share them — it helps us build on what's already known rather than starting from scratch. We'll tell you upfront whether a full re-evaluation is warranted or whether a more targeted assessment makes more sense.
Insurance and Fees
Do you accept insurance?
We are a private-pay practice and do not bill insurance directly. Many families find this actually works in their favor — private-pay evaluations aren't subject to the restrictions insurance places on testing time, battery selection, or diagnostic conclusions. We provide a detailed superbill you can submit to your insurance company for potential out-of-network reimbursement. We recommend calling your insurer's member services line before your first appointment to ask about your out-of-network mental health benefits.
Our Approach
Who conducts the evaluations?
Every evaluation at Outlier PTC is conducted and authored by Nicole Doss, PsyD — a licensed psychologist with specialized training in neurodiversity, complex profiles, and difficult-to-identify presentations. We do not use associate psychologists or have reports signed off by someone who didn't know your child. One doctoral-level clinician is responsible for every word of every report.
What is twice-exceptional (2e)?
Twice-exceptional describes a child who is intellectually gifted and also has a learning difference — ADHD, autism, dyslexia, anxiety, or another condition. The two things can mask each other: giftedness compensates for the disability in early grades, so the child looks "fine." Meanwhile, the disability drains them — they're working twice as hard for half the credit. When academic demands eventually outpace their ability to compensate, families are often told the child is "underperforming" or "not applying themselves." A thorough 2e evaluation identifies both sides of the profile and gives families the language and documentation to get appropriate support.
What does neurodiversity-affirming mean, and why does it matter for testing?
Neurodiversity-affirming means we approach evaluation without the assumption that there is one "correct" way to think, learn, or experience the world. Autism, ADHD, giftedness, and related profiles are not deficits to be fixed — they are different ways of being that come with genuine strengths alongside real challenges. Our job is to understand your child's full profile accurately and honestly, not to minimize difficulties or pathologize traits that are simply outside the norm.
In practice, this shapes everything from how we write our reports to the recommendations we make. We won't suggest interventions designed to make a child appear neurotypical. Instead, we focus on accommodations, environments, and strategies that let the child function and thrive as themselves. Families often tell us our reports are the first time they've seen their child described with both clarity and respect.
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How is a private evaluation different from a school district assessment?
School district evaluations are designed to determine eligibility for special education services — not to fully understand your child. They may not test for giftedness, often use a narrower battery, and the results are used primarily for placement decisions. A private evaluation at Outlier PTC is diagnostic and comprehensive, and it's written for your family. It explains why your child thinks and learns the way they do, and gives specific, actionable recommendations for school, home, and therapy. Many families use our reports to request or strengthen an IEP or 504 plan.
After the Evaluation
What happens after the evaluation?
Once the report is complete we schedule a feedback session with you. We walk through the findings, explain the diagnostic conclusions in plain language, and answer every question you have. You leave with a written report you own and can share with your child's school, therapist, or pediatrician — or keep private. For families navigating IEP or 504 meetings, we're happy to discuss next steps and what to ask for.
Are the results confidential?
Yes — everything shared with us, and all assessment results, are fully confidential under HIPAA. Your report will not be shared with anyone without your explicit written consent. You decide who sees it: the school, a therapist, a pediatrician, an employer. If you'd like to share the findings with your child's school for IEP or 504 purposes, we can help guide that process too.