Get the diagnosis your child needs to qualify for the Unique Abilities Scholarship.
A thorough neuropsychological evaluation and report like Dr. Wetherby provides can help. Step Up For Students accepts a validated diagnosis from a Florida-licensed psychologist as proof of your child’s unique ability. Dr. Mary Wetherby is that psychologist, with 30+ years evaluating kids.
There are two ways to document your child’s diagnosis.
To apply for FES-UA, Step Up asks for proof of a qualifying diagnosis. You can use either of these.
A school-district IEP
An official Individualized Education Plan issued by your district within the past three years. Many families don’t have one, or the school won’t identify the condition they’re seeing at home, or the school won’t provide the IEP quickly enough.
A validated diagnosis from a licensed professional
Step Up accepts a diagnosis from a Florida-licensed psychologist. Dr. Wetherby’s neuropsychological evaluation gives your child a formal diagnosis and a written report you submit with your application.
No IEP? No problem. A private evaluation is a common path, and it often catches things a school screening misses.
Diagnoses an evaluation can document
FES-UA covers children ages 3 through grade 12 (or age 22) with a qualifying diagnosis. Dr. Wetherby’s testing commonly identifies:
An evaluation determines whether a qualifying condition is present. If it is, you get the documentation to prove it. If it isn’t, you’ll still walk away knowing exactly what’s going on with your child.
Three steps to a diagnosis you can submit
Call for a diagnostic interview
Every child is unique, so the process begins with a detailed consultation with Dr. Wetherby, who takes the time to listen carefully to your concerns, understand your child’s history, and gain a clear picture of the strengths and challenges you have observed. She will then discuss the evaluation options available and recommend the assessment approach that is best suited to answer your questions and address your child’s unique needs.
Complete the evaluation
Your child is tested across attention, memory, language, reasoning, reading, math, and more. Testing is thorough, patient, and paced for kids.
Get your report and diagnosis
You receive a formal diagnosis plus a written report with recommendations. Submit it with your FES-UA application, and use it for a 504 or IEP too.
You know your child better than any screening.
Parents come to Dr. Wetherby when something isn’t adding up. Testing turns a hunch into a clear answer.
- ✓ Bright kid, but grades don’t match the effort
- ✓ Trouble with attention, focus, or sitting still
- ✓ Struggles with reading, writing, or math that won’t budge
- ✓ Social or communication differences you can’t quite name
- ✓ Anxiety, meltdowns, or behavior that’s affecting school
- ✓ A past concussion, illness, or developmental delay
- ✓ The school says “wait and see,” but you don’t want to wait
Reports that actually help, from someone who’s seen it all.
Dr. Wetherby writes so parents and teachers can act on it. Her recommendations become real accommodations for schoolwork, homework, and high-stakes tests, including the ACT and SAT.
She’s presented to the National Academy of Neuropsychology, the American Psychological Association, and the American Psychology-Law Society. She’s served as an expert witness in high-profile cases and helped write juvenile law. And having lived with rheumatoid arthritis since age 12, she relates to kids who feel different, and she’s passionate about helping them.
New FES-UA applications are open through November 15, 2026.
Evaluations book up, and reports take time to write. If you want the diagnosis ready for this school year, the smart move is to call now.
☎ Call (407) 338-3131