Fighting for Your Child's Education: Independent Evaluations for IEP, 504 Plans & Due Process in NYC
Independent Assessments to Advocate for Your Child's Right to Support — From IEP Meetings to Impartial Hearings.
Does your child need more support at school than they're currently receiving?
A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation provides the independent, objective documentation needed to qualify for an IEP or 504 Plan — and to make sure those plans actually reflect your child's needs. When the system isn't working, we go further.
With over 20 years of experience, Dr. KC Bugg & Associates helps NYC families build the case for the services their children deserve — from IEP meetings to impartial hearings.


Common Reasons Parents Contact Us
School Has Not Provided
Adequate Support:
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Child is struggling but school says "they're fine"
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School evaluation results don't match what you see at home
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Recommended services feel insufficient for your child's needs
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School has declined to evaluate despite clear signs of difficulty
You Need Independent Documentation:
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Preparing for an IEP meeting or annual review
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Seeking a second opinion on an existing evaluation
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Building a case for more appropriate services or placement
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Preparing for a 504 meeting or accommodation review
Your Child Has an Existing Diagnosis:
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ADHD, autism, dyslexia, or another diagnosis without adequate school support
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Diagnosis from outside provider not recognized by school district
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Profile has changed and documentation needs updating
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Transitioning to a new school, grade level, or program
Other Concerns:
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Teacher or specialist recommended independent testing
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You disagree with the school's evaluation or findings
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Preparing for an IEP due process hearing
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Working with a special education attorney or educational consultant
Independent Evaluations Built for Advocacy
School-based evaluations are conducted by evaluators employed by the same district making placement and services decisions. Our independent neuropsychological evaluations provide an objective, comprehensive assessment with no conflicts of interest.
We examine attention, memory, executive functioning, language, processing speed, academic skills, and social-emotional development — giving the IEP or 504 team a complete picture of your child's profile rather than a snapshot.
Our reports are written with advocacy in mind. They are thorough, evidence-based, and designed to make a clear, compelling case for the services and accommodations your child needs — whether at an IEP meeting, a 504 conference, or an impartial hearing.
We work closely with families, special education attorneys, and educational consultants throughout New York City to ensure children receive the support they are legally entitled to.
When The System Isn't Working
We Go Beyond the Report
For many NYC families, a neuropsychological evaluation is just the beginning. When the Department of Education fails to provide appropriate services — or when a child's needs cannot be met in a DOE-assigned school or program — families have the legal right to fight for the rights of their child. We've been in that fight alongside families for years.
Our practice has extensive experience working within the NYC impartial hearing process. We collaborate closely with special education attorneys and educational consultants to ensure our evaluations help inform educational programming. Our reports are written not just for use at a Committee on Special Education (CSE) meetings to craft an appropriate program, but also possibly for due process hearings, when necessary and where the stakes are high, and the documentation must be comprehensive.
When a DOE-recommended program fails to provide a child with access to a free and appropriate public education (FAPE), families may be entitled to placement in a specialized nonpublic or private school at public expense. We understand this process and can help to inform decision makers.
If you're working with a special education attorney or considering a due process case, we know how to support you.
YOU MAY NEED THIS LEVEL OF SUPPORT IF:
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Your child has regressed academically, socially, or emotionally despite receiving services
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The DOE has denied or significantly reduced services that you believe your child needs
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Your child's current school placement is not meeting the goals outlined in their IEP
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The DOE's proposed placement is a school you believe cannot appropriately serve your child
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You have already filed — or are considering filing — for an impartial hearing
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Your special education attorney has recommended an independent neuropsychological evaluation
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The school's evaluation findings are limited and don't match what you observe at home or what outside providers report
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Your child's needs are complex, twice-exceptional, or involve multiple co-occurring diagnoses
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You are pursuing a Carter or Connors case or a tuition reimbursement claim
We are an approved Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) provider for the NYC Department of Education. That designation means our evaluations are recognized by the DOE and the DOE implementation unit has authorized our evaluations.
UNDERSTANDING NEURODIVERSITY
Every Brain Is Unique
ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other neurodivergent profiles represent different ways of thinking and learning—not simply deficits. Our evaluations serve two essential purposes: understanding your unique cognitive strengths and learning style, while providing formal diagnosis and documentation that opens doors to accommodations, services, and the support you deserve.
Comprehensive Neuropsychological Testing Across the Lifespan
We provide expert evaluations for individuals of all ages—from toddlers to adults—helping families understand cognitive profiles, learning differences, and developmental strengths while documenting needs for appropriate support.
Adult ADHD & Neuropsychological Testing
Many adults discover in their 20s, 30s, or beyond that they're neurodivergent—ADHD, autistic, or have learning differences that explain lifelong experiences of thinking and processing differently. Our evaluations provide diagnostic clarity and access to accommodations that honor how your brain works.
We offer two types of adult ADHD evaluations:
Comprehensive Neuropsychological Evaluation (8 hours)
Full assessment for workplace accommodations, professional exam documentation, or comprehensive diagnostic clarity. Includes complete cognitive and achievement testing, attention and executive function measures, and detailed written report.
Abbreviated ADHD Testing (2 hours)
Focused evaluation for treatment planning and medication management. Includes clinical interview, ADHD rating scales, and diagnostic report with treatment recommendations. Not appropriate for accommodation requests.
Which evaluation is right for you?
We'll help you determine this during your free consultation.
We also evaluate adults for:
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) diagnosis
Workplace accommodations (ADA)
Executive functioning differences
Learning differences affecting work or graduate school
Memory and cognitive concerns
Diagnostic clarity for treatment planning
Common reasons adults seek evaluation:
💭 "I've always struggled with organization and focus, but thought everyone did."
💭 "I'm successful, but everything takes me twice as long as it should."
💭 "My child was just diagnosed with ADHD, and I see myself in the symptoms."
💭 "I've always felt different socially, and recently learned about autism in adults."

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Schedule Your Free Consultation
The first step is a complimentary 30-minute phone consultation where we'll discuss your child's needs, explain our evaluation process, and help you understand your options — whether you're preparing for an IEP meeting, navigating due process, or just starting to ask questions.
We are an approved IEE provider for the NYC Department of Education.
Dr. KC Bugg, Psy.D.
Licensed Clinical Psychologist NY License #020929
Phone: 212-256-1697
Phone: 212-256-1697 (Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm EST)
Email:
For scheduling and inquiries: madeleine@drkcbugg.com




