
Evaluation Services
Evaluation Areas
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Autism, or autism spectrum disorder (ASD), is a developmental disorder that affects communication, social interaction, behavior, and sensory processing. It's called a spectrum disorder because it can manifest in a wide range of symptoms and severity levels, varying from person to person. Some common characteristics of autism include difficulty with social interactions and communication, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and sensory sensitivities. Early intervention, therapy, and support services can greatly improve outcomes for individuals with autism, helping them to navigate the challenges they may face and thrive in their daily lives.
Autism
(Adult & Children)
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ADHD stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. It's a neurodevelopmental disorder that commonly affects children, but it can persist into adulthood. ADHD is characterized by a persistent pattern of inattention, impulsivity, and/or hyperactivity that interferes with daily functioning and development.
The symptoms of ADHD can vary widely from person to person, but they generally fall into two main categories, inattention and hyperactivity/impulsivity.
ADHD can have a significant impact on various aspects of life, including academic performance, work productivity, relationships, and self-esteem. However, with proper diagnosis, treatment, and support, individuals with ADHD can learn strategies to manage their symptoms effectively and lead fulfilling lives.
ADHD
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Perfectionism, excellent memory, and rapid learning are just a few of the characteristics of a gifted and talented child. Identification as gifted and talented may provide access to certain programs or services. A basic gifted evaluation includes an IQ and achievement test. If you are seeking a gifted evaluation for entry or access to a particular opportunity, there may be other required assessments. Please share this information at the time of your consultation.
Giftedness (Basic)
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A comprehensive giftedness assessment further investigates areas of giftedness beyond academics and explores other facets of a person that may be affected by their giftedness such as emotions and behavior. In addition to the IQ and achievement testing, the comprehensive package also includes assessments in the following areas: social-emotional, developmental history, overexcitabilities, and a broad gifted rating scale that investigates abilities in areas beyond IQ and achievement such as creativity, leadership, and performing or visual arts.
Giftedness (Comprehensive)

Social-emotional and behavioral refers to a vast range of functioning. Parents may have concerns about their child's ability to make friends and get along well with others. There may also be concerns regarding aggression, defiance, anxiety, or depression. A diagnostic evaluation can help gain deeper insights into the root cause, which helps inform effective interventions and treatments for families.
Social-Emotional

Dysleixa is a learning disorder that may affect various aspects of reading such as decoding, fluency, comprehension, and even spelling and written expression. People with dyslexia struggle with phonological awareness and orthographical processing. Its important to note that dyslexia does not related to ingelligence and can vary in severeity. Early detection and intervention can help overcome these challenges.
Dyslexia

Dysgraphia is a learning disorder that affects writing abilities. It can make it hard for people to write neatly, spell correctly, and organize their thoughts on paper. Dysgraphia can be attributed to motoric, higher level thinking, or both. While written expression is often impacted in those with a diagnosis of dyslexia, one can have dysgraphia without any reading challenges. Like dyslexia, dysgraphia is not related to intelligence and can vary in severity.
Dysgraphia

Dyscalculia is a learning disorder that affects a person's ability to understand and work with numbers. Individuals with dyscalculia may have difficulty with basic arithmetic operations like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division. They might also struggle with concepts related to time, measurement, and spatial reasoning. Dyscalculia can be specific to calculation, fluency, or word problems. Like dyslexia and dysgraphia, dyscalculia is not related to intelligence and can vary in severity. Early detection and intervention can help individuals with dyscalculia learn strategies to improve their mathematical skills and succeed in school and daily life.
Dyscalculia

An Intellectual Disability is also known as an Intellectual Developmental Disorder (IDD). It becomes evident in the early stages of life and is characterized by significant limitations in one’s intellectual functioning and adaptive skills. Intellectual functioning refers to mental capacity and general ability to reason and problem-solve. Adaptive skills refer to how independently a person can perform daily activities of living such as hygiene, feeding, and communication skills.
Intellectual Disability
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A kindergarten readiness assessment helps parents make the decision of when to enroll your child in school. In particular, parents are often faced with this dilemma if they have a child who is close to the cutoff date for kindergarten entry. In some cases, a young 5-year-old may benefit from waiting a year to prepare them for the academic demands. In other cases, advanced 4-year-olds can benefit from the academic challenge as well as exposure to peers with similar social-emotional skills. This evaluation assesses the following areas: academic and language skills, IQ, behavior assessment, developmental history, and a strengths and weakness analysis.
Kindergarten Readiness
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Are you ever just curious about your child’s intelligence quotient? If so, you can request an ‘a la carte’ IQ test. The test takes an hour on average to complete. However, depending on various factors, it can take much shorter or longer. While there are a variety of different individually administered IQ tests, most typically examine verbal, visual, memory, nonverbal, processing speed, and fluid reasoning skills.
Intelligence Test
Service Descriptions
Comprehensive Psychoeducational Evaluation
This includes an intake, school observation, 6-8 hours of testing, rating scales, feedback sessions (family, school, & kid friendly), and follow up support for report recommendations. This assessment explores cognitive, achievement, communication, social-emotional/behavioral, motor, and sensory functioning. This diagnostic evaluation explores the presence of:
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ADHD
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Autism
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Learning Disabilities
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Giftedness
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Mental Health Disorders
Adult Autism Evaluation
Many adults missed a diagnosis in childhood due to the limited understanding of subtle ASD presentations in previous generations. This gap has left many searching for answers that were elusive twenty years ago. This services provides comprehensive assessments to help these adults gain clarity and support.
Giftedness (Comprehensive)
This further investigates areas of giftedness beyond academics and explores other facets of a person that may be affected by their giftedness such as emotions and behavior. In addition to the IQ and achievement testing, the comprehensive package also includes assessments in the following areas: social-emotional, developmental history, overexcitabilities, and a broad gifted rating scale that investigates abilities in areas beyond IQ and achievement such as creativity, leadership, and performing or visual arts.
Giftedness (Basic)
This includes cognitive and achievement testing and can identify academic or intellectual giftedness.
Kindergarten Readiness
This evaluation assesses the following areas: academic and language skills, IQ, behavior assessment, developmental history, and a strengths and weakness analysis.
Intelligence Test
This includes one individually administered cognitive assessment which can be used to meet certain school application requirements.
Fee Structures
Private Pay
Sunlight accepts private pay only and does not accept any insurance at this time.
Payment Schedule
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Free - Initial 20 minute consultation
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1st payment - $500 deposit
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2nd payment - 50% of remaining balance (due by the first testing session)
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Final payment - Remaining balance (due prior to feedback session)
School Observation
School observations are included in the Comprehensive Psychoeducational package. Travel time is included for schools located within 25 miles of the Sunlight Office. Travel fees apply for further distances.
Individual Education Plan or 504 Plan Meetings
Attendance at school meetings is available as an add-on service. These meetings are typically attended virtually. If physical presence is requested, then travel time fees may apply.
Travel Time
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25 miles or less roundtrip: included
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26-38 miles: additional $50
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39-50 miles: additional $100
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51 or more miles: contact us directly (virtual options may be available)
Fees
You have the right to receive a
“Good Faith Estimate” explaining how much your medical care will cost
Under the law, health care providers need to give patients who don’t have insurance or who are not using insurance an estimate of the bill for medical items and services.
For questions or more information about your right to a Good Faith Estimate, visit www.cms.gov/nosurprises or call the Colorado Division of Insurance at 303-894-7490 or 1-800-930-3745.
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You have the right to receive a Good Faith Estimate for the total expected cost of any non-emergency items or services. This includes related costs like medical tests, prescription drugs, equipment, and hospital fees.
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Make sure your health care provider gives you a Good Faith Estimate in writing at least 1 business day before your medical service or item. You can also ask your health care provider, and any other provider you choose, for a Good Faith Estimate before you schedule an item or service.
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If you receive a bill that is at least $400 more than your Good Faith Estimate, you can dispute the bill.
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Make sure to save a copy or picture of your Good Faith Estimate.

What to Expect
1
Family
Intake
2
School
Observation
3
Testing
Session
4
Feedback
Session
5
Solidify Next Steps

1
Family
Intake
The first meeting will include the clinical intake, a review of required paperwork and policies, and scheduling the testing and feedback sessions. During this process, the clinician will gather detailed information about your child such as their strengths, areas of concern, and history. This interview typically takes between 1-2 hours. Families have the option to participate in person or virtually. The first payment is due prior to this meeting.
A one hour school observation will be completed. Parents or caregivers will be asked to help facilitate this process by signing a release of information and providing an introduction between the clinician and school. Also, parents or caregivers, and teachers can expect to receive rating scales to be completed by the end of the testing session. The number of rating scales is dependent on your child's individualized testing battery. All scales must be completed by the time of the testing session. Please note that school observations are not covered by insurance.

2
School
Observation

3
Testing
Session
Typically, the testing session is completed in two half day sessions. Depending on the presenting concerns and individualized testing battery, this could take more or less time but no additional cost will be accrued in this scenario. For children who are easily fatigued, breaks, reinforcers, or more testing sessions of shorter duration are offered. The process is flexible to meet the child's needs. During the session, parents or caregivers are required to remain on site. The office is equipped with complimentary Wifi, refreshments, a work space for parents and caregivers, and a play corner siblings. The second payment is due prior to this appointment. For anxious or apprehensive children, families are welcome to set up a brief "playdate" with the clinician at the testing site prior to the first testing session.
Multiple feedback sessions are included: family, school, and child. During the family feedback session, you will learn the results of the evaluation. The clinician will shine a light on your child's strengths and provide you with meaningful next steps and resources. Families will be provided an electronic version of the report that they may share with others at their own discretion. The feedback session may be held in person or virtually. Payment is expected in full prior to this appointment. The school feedback session is tailored to the child's needs in the school setting. Finally, the child session is presented in a kid friendly and positive format.

4
Feedback
Session

5
Solidify Next
Steps
The evaluation process with Sunlight does not end with the feedback session. We continue to help you pave the pathway for your child’s future by ensuring that you have been connected to the resources you need for next steps. After the completion of the evaluation, we join you on your journey to execute the recommendations offered. Sunlight does not want to be an isolated service but rather a bridge between where you came from and where you are going.
Learn About the Different Types of Diagnoses

EDUCATIONAL DIAGNOSIS
An educational diagnosis is a disability label, as outlined in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), which can be identified by a school special education team. The team is multidisciplinary and may include a speech pathologist, mental health provider, occupational/physical therapist, nurse, and special education teacher. This type of diagnosis can grant access to special education services and an Individualized Education Plan (IEP).
To pursue an educational diagnosis, you may request an evaluation from the school. You may also share a report with a clinical or medical diagnosis with the school, but ultimately, it is up to the school special education team to determine if an educational label is appropriate.

CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS
A clinical diagnosis is a formal mental health diagnosis, as outlined in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5-TR), that can be given by any licensed mental health professional (i.e. licensed clinical social worker, licensed professional counselor, licensed marriage and family therapist, licensed alcohol counselor, licensed psychologist, etc.). The diagnosis is used to inform treatment, therapeutic approaches, and support services.
To obtain a clinical diagnosis, reach out to a mental health professional.

MEDICAL DIAGNOSIS
A medical diagnosis is a formal medical diagnosis, as outlined in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) or DSM-V-TR, that can be given by a medical professional like a pediatrician, neurologist, or licensed psychologist. The State of Colorado may provide social security disability insurance and Medicaid coverage for certain medical diagnoses if they cause significant impairment.
To get a medical diagnosis, seek an evaluation from a medical professional. You may also share a clinical diagnosis with your pediatrician, but like in the schools, there are no guarantees your pediatrician will provide a medical diagnosis.
Sunlight Developmental Evaluations provides
clinical diagnoses. Medical diagnoses can be provided upon request with consent to collaborate with a participating psychologist.

Virtual Evaluations
Sunlight offers virtual testing services across the state of Colorado.
What is virtual testing?
Just as it sounds, virtual testing involves an examiner administering assessments via a video platform like Zoom or Google Meet. Some tests include digital components that can be shared on-screen, allowing the client to take control of the examiner’s screen to respond to prompts or answer verbally. Response booklets are mailed out ahead of time with a prepaid return envelope for easy return.
Is virtual testing less effective than in-person testing?
Current research shows no significant differences in the results of virtual and in-person assessments.
Limitations of virtual testing
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Some tests require hands-on materials. In these cases, alternative tests may be used, the test may be skipped, or the materials can be mailed and presented by a trained administrator at a nearby location.
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As with any online interaction, there are inherent risks with technology, even when using HIPAA-compliant platforms. Individuals with difficulty sustaining attention or sitting still may struggle with virtual testing, which could affect the accuracy of the results.
Who is a good candidate for virtual testing?
Anyone who can sit and focus on a screen and is willing to participate. Younger children can have an adult helper present if needed, though this depends on the situation. Sunlight offers a trial activity via video conference to determine whether virtual testing is a good fit for the individual.
Benefits of virtual testing
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While in-person testing is often preferred, virtual testing is an excellent option for individuals in rural areas with limited access to providers.
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It also offers a convenient solution for those with physical disabilities or autoimmune conditions that make leaving home difficult.
Suitability of virtual testing for specific conditions
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ADHD and autism: Virtual testing for ADHD and autism is possible, though in-person testing is typically preferred due to the importance of observing behavior off-screen. When virtual testing is the only option, accommodations can be made. While some tests may not be available virtually, additional information from video observations, collateral reports, and qualitative measures can be used to provide a comprehensive assessment.
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Learning disabilities and giftedness: Virtual testing is well-suited for assessing learning disabilities and giftedness, provided the individual is a good candidate for virtual assessments.

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