Dr. Doug Fagen on Psycho-Educational Evaluations
Fri Oct 17 2025
If you’ve ever been told your child “needs an evaluation,” you’re not alone. In this episode of the Parenting Help Podcast, Dr. Katie Palmer interviews Dr. Doug Fagen, a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience conducting psychoeducational evaluations for children with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and anxiety.
Together, they clarify the difference between a neuropsychological evaluation and a psychoeducational assessment, discuss how to interpret results, and explain what parents can do with recommendations. Dr. Fagen emphasizes strength-based, neurodiversity-affirming assessments that help families understand their child’s learning style—not just apply a label.
Key takeaways for parents:
• Learn when and why to request an evaluation
• Understand the role of school psychologists vs. independent evaluators
• Discover how to turn test data into a roadmap for growth
• Reduce stigma and replace self-blame with empowerment
Whether you’re navigating IEPs, 504 plans, or seeking private evaluations, this conversation offers practical and compassionate guidance for families.
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If you’ve ever been told your child “needs an evaluation,” you’re not alone. In this episode of the Parenting Help Podcast, Dr. Katie Palmer interviews Dr. Doug Fagen, a clinical psychologist with over 25 years of experience conducting psychoeducational evaluations for children with learning disabilities, ADHD, autism, and anxiety. Together, they clarify the difference between a neuropsychological evaluation and a psychoeducational assessment, discuss how to interpret results, and explain what parents can do with recommendations. Dr. Fagen emphasizes strength-based, neurodiversity-affirming assessments that help families understand their child’s learning style—not just apply a label. Key takeaways for parents: • Learn when and why to request an evaluation • Understand the role of school psychologists vs. independent evaluators • Discover how to turn test data into a roadmap for growth • Reduce stigma and replace self-blame with empowerment Whether you’re navigating IEPs, 504 plans, or seeking private evaluations, this conversation offers practical and compassionate guidance for families.