Assessment & Options

Dr. Patti Weiss, PhD provides comprehensive psychological and educational evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults at her San Francisco office.

Every assessment is individualized. The process begins with a thorough initial consultation to understand the individual's history, academic or work performance, strengths, concerns, and current challenges at home, school, or work.

The Assessment Process

A comprehensive evaluation typically takes place over two to three sessions, with approximately 4–6 hours of testing, depending on the individual's needs.

For children and adolescents, parents may also complete detailed questionnaires, and information from teachers or the school may be incorporated when appropriate.

For younger children, Dr. Weiss may recommend a classroom observation when it would provide useful additional information.

Cognitive Assessment

Dr. Weiss uses the Wechsler Intelligence Scales, widely used standardized measures of cognitive functioning.

Depending on age, this may include the:

WISC-V — Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children
WAIS-V — Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale

These assessments examine important areas of cognitive functioning, including:

• Verbal Comprehension

• Visual Spatial Ability

• Fluid Reasoning

• Working Memory

• Processing Speed

Understanding a student's individual pattern of strengths and challenges can provide valuable information for educational planning, diagnosis, and recommendations.

Academic & Achievement Testing

When evaluating students for learning difficulties and potential school or standardized-testing accommodations, Dr. Weiss may also administer standardized academic achievement measures.

These may include the Woodcock-Johnson Tests of Achievement and the Woodcock Reading Mastery Tests (WRMT-III).

Areas evaluated can include:

• Reading

• Reading comprehension

• Writing

• Mathematics

• Spelling

• Reading fluency

• Math fluency

• Writing fluency

• Listening comprehension

These measures help identify a student's academic strengths as well as areas where additional support or accommodations may be appropriate.

Attention & ADHD Assessment

When attention or ADHD concerns are present, additional assessment may include the Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA), a computerized measure of attention.

Questionnaires may also be completed by the student, parents, and teachers to provide a broader picture of attention and behavior across different environments.

Auditory Processing

When receptive auditory processing difficulties are suspected, Dr. Weiss may administer the Test of Auditory Processing Skills, Fourth Edition (TAPS-4).

This assessment provides additional information about how a student processes, remembers, and understands auditory information.

Psychological & Emotional Assessment

When emotional or psychological concerns are part of the evaluation, Dr. Weiss may select additional measures based on the individual's needs.

These may include instruments such as:

• Thematic Apperception Test (TAT)

• Rorschach Inkblot Test

• Rotter Incomplete Sentences Blank

• Beck Youth Inventories, Second Edition

• Personality Assessment Inventory for Adolescents (PAI-A)

• Personality Assessment Inventory (PAI) for adults

Not every individual receives every test. The assessment is tailored to the questions being evaluated and the needs of each client.

Your Comprehensive Report

Following testing, Dr. Weiss carefully scores and interprets the assessment results and prepares a detailed written report.

Reports often range from approximately 18–36 pages, depending upon the depth and complexity of the evaluation.

The report may include:

• Relevant background and history

• Assessment results

• Individual strengths and challenges

• Diagnostic findings, when appropriate

• Educational or workplace recommendations

• Recommended accommodations

• Practical next steps for the student, family, school, or adult client

The goal is not simply to provide test scores, but to help clients and families understand what the results mean and what to do next.

College & Career Guidance

For high school students beginning to think seriously about college, potential majors, and future careers, Dr. Weiss also offers specialized college and career interest assessment using the Strong Interest Inventory®.

Dr. Weiss has extensive previous experience with the Strong Interest Inventory, having administered approximately 200 assessments between 2009 and 2020.

Effective October 8, 2026, she will be certified to administer the current computer-based version of the Strong Interest Inventory through The Myers-Briggs Company.

The assessment can be particularly useful for high school juniors and seniors who are beginning to ask:

What subjects and fields genuinely interest me?

What college majors should I explore?

What types of careers might fit my interests?

How can my interests help guide my college search?

Students complete the assessment electronically and receive a comprehensive, personalized report. Dr. Weiss then helps the student and family understand the results and apply that information to decisions about college, areas of study, and possible career directions.

Learn More About College & Career Guidance →

Contact Dr. Weiss

Dr. Weiss sees clients at her San Francisco office and can also offer home visits at no additional fee when transportation is challenging or when a client is more comfortable being evaluated in a home environment.

Please contact Dr. Weiss to discuss your needs and determine the most appropriate assessment.