Article written by Dr. Jennifer Strong, Ph.D., Founder & School Neuropsychologist, Cognitive Diagnostic Associates
When Cognitive Diagnostic Associates (CDA) was founded, I wanted to build something different. Not simply another evaluation company, but an organization dedicated exclusively to Independent Educational Evaluations (IEEs)—where the quality of our reports, collaboration among specialists, and commitment to independence would set us apart.
Today, CDA has grown to 21 offices across 13 states, and I am incredibly proud of what we have built. But I believe our success comes from something much more important than the number of locations we have opened.
It comes from how we conduct our evaluations.
Our Reports Are Forensic, Not Just Diagnostic
At CDA, we believe an evaluation should do much more than present test scores, identify a disability, or offer general recommendations.
Our reports are comprehensive and forensic in nature, developed with the level of detail and supporting evidence necessary to withstand careful professional and legal scrutiny. We examine educational records, assessment results, classroom observations, developmental histories, interviews, and the relationship between a student’s identified needs and the educational services being provided.
Our goal is to connect the evidence, identify meaningful discrepancies, and provide clear, defensible conclusions and recommendations.
An evaluation should not leave families with more questions than answers. It should provide a comprehensive understanding of a student’s educational needs and what may be necessary for meaningful educational progress.
The Whole Child, Not Disconnected Evaluations
One of the most important distinctions in CDA’s approach is our commitment to multidisciplinary collaboration.
We conduct Independent Educational Evaluations across a broad range of specialties, including:
- Psychoeducational assessment
- School neuropsychology
- Speech-language pathology
- Occupational therapy
- Physical therapy
- Adapted physical education
- Functional behavioral assessment
- Educationally related mental health services
- Assistive technology
But providing multiple types of evaluations is only part of what makes our model different.
Our practitioners work to connect their findings across disciplines rather than treating each evaluation as an isolated assessment.
A student’s behavioral challenges may be connected to communication difficulties. Attention concerns may overlap with language processing or executive functioning weaknesses. Sensory and motor difficulties may influence classroom participation, emotional regulation, and academic performance.
When these findings are examined together, the resulting recommendations can provide a more complete and meaningful picture of the student’s educational needs.
We have intentionally built CDA around this integrated approach because we believe families deserve more than a collection of separate reports. They deserve evaluations that help explain how the different pieces of their child’s learning profile fit together.
Why Our Size Matters
There is a reason we have continued to expand nationally.
When working with school districts, organizational size, resources, and infrastructure matter.
CDA’s national presence allows us to bring together specialists across disciplines, coordinate complex evaluations, maintain consistent professional standards, and provide the administrative and operational support necessary to manage cases effectively.
For families navigating disagreements with school districts, having an established multidisciplinary organization behind the evaluation process can be particularly valuable.
Our growth has also allowed us to develop systems and procedures specifically designed for independent evaluations, rather than treating IEEs as a secondary service.
Independence Is Not Just in Our Name
Another important distinction is that CDA maintains its own Independent Educational Evaluation agreements rather than automatically operating under school district contracts.
This is intentional.
Our agreements establish the professional and operational framework under which we conduct evaluations, helping preserve our independence and clearly define expectations throughout the process.
An IEE should not be shaped by pressure to reach a particular conclusion or make recommendations that are more convenient for a school district. Our evaluators must be free to exercise their professional judgment, interpret findings objectively, and make recommendations based on the student’s individual educational needs.
An independent evaluation should be exactly that: independent.
Why We Continue to Grow
Across the country, parents are asking important questions:
- Why is my child struggling despite receiving special education services?
- Are my child’s disabilities and educational needs being fully understood?
- Is the school providing appropriate interventions and supports?
- Could a different educational program or placement be necessary?
- What can I do if I disagree with my school district’s evaluation?
Under federal special education law, parents who disagree with a school district’s evaluation may have the right to request an Independent Educational Evaluation at public expense, subject to applicable requirements.
For many families, understanding this right can be the beginning of meaningful educational change. We believe those families deserve access to qualified specialists, comprehensive evaluations, and recommendations grounded in evidence.
A Commitment That Goes Beyond Growth
I am incredibly grateful to the families who have trusted CDA, the professionals who have referred students to us, and the dedicated practitioners who represent our organization across the country.
Building CDA has required an unwavering commitment to quality, professional integrity, and the belief that independent evaluations can make a meaningful difference in a child’s educational future.
We didn’t grow by compromising our standards. We grew by building our organization around them.
As we continue expanding nationally, our mission remains unchanged: to provide comprehensive, forensic, multidis