Neuropsychological Testing
What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation is an evaluation conducted by a licensed psychologist with advanced training in neuropsychology in an effort to better understand brain-behavior relationships. The evaluations are conducted to help clarify diagnoses, determine areas of strength and areas for improvement, and to provide targeted treatment recommendations for home, school, and in the community. The evaluation examines functioning across several domains such as:
- Cognitive functioning
- Attention
- Executive functioning (planning, organizing, self-monitoring, etc.)
- Memory
- Learning
- Visual motor skills
- Social skills
- Emotional functioning
- Academic Achievement
Why would a neuropsychological evaluation be helpful for my child?
A neuropsychological evaluation is often conducted when there are questions related to learning, development, behavior, mood, and social functioning. It can help answer questions surrounding the following diagnostic considerations:
- Learning disabilities (including dyslexia)
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- ADHD
- Anxiety
- Depression
What steps are involved in a neuropsychological evaluation?
1. Initial Consultation
Parents meet with a pediatric neuropsychologist to discuss concerns. A thorough developmental, psychological, and learning history will be taken. Parents will have the opportunity to share their concerns, discuss their child’s strengths, and ask questions about the evaluation process.
2. Testing Sessions
Testing sessions vary in length based on the referral questions. You can expect your child to complete 4 – 6 hours of testing over 1 to 2 days. During this time, your child will work one on one with our pediatric neuropsychologist. Most activities are interactive and most children do not mind completing them. Depending on the age of your child, the child may also be asked to complete rating scales. Parents will also be asked to complete rating scales. Many times, with parent consent, teachers are also asked to complete questionnaires.
3. Feedback
Following the completion of the evaluation, parents and the child (dependent on age and maturity level) will be asked to join the neuropsychologist for a feedback session. This session is typically 60 minutes. During this time results of the evaluation of reviewed. Areas of strength and areas of weakness will be discussed, any diagnoses will be shared, and recommendations will be offered. There will be amble opportunity for families to ask questions and share concerns.
4. Comprehensive Report
In the end you’ll receive comprehensive neuropsychological report that will include background information, test results, a summary of the evaluation, and recommendations.
We are also available for continued consultation with families, educators, and other providers working with your family!
In some cases it may be appropriate to conduct a school observation. We will work with families and schools in order to schedule a time to see your child in their school setting.
Additionally, if requested, we are often available to attend a PPT meeting to share our findings and recommendations with school teams!
Psychological Testing
Q-interactive is a digital platform that streamlines the entire assessment process. We offer comprehensive, customized reports with visual representations of the data, such as graphs and tables. Our reports have tailored recommendations and solutions to address the targeted problem areas.
Psychological testing and assessment can be likened to getting your blood work done for a doctor’s visit. Testing can help provide a baseline of behavior and a target treatment for those specific areas. In addition, testing can help to monitor progress and make sure that the treatment is working. Testing can also be very important before considering psychiatric medication because it will provide data for an accurate assessment. Current areas for testing include: ADHD, Autism, Depression, Anxiety, Mood Disorders, Learning Disability, Personality Disorders, Personality Testing, neuropsychological, memory and executive functioning deficits.
Some patients’ reactions to testing:
“The testing at HHS allowed me to finally understand why my son was struggling in school and how to help him.” — S.R. (age 52)
“After all these years of failing and frustration, the testing indicated what type of ADHD I had, and through treatment and medication, I finally passed my boards.” — A.S. (age 27)
Child and Adolescent Evaluations
A comprehensive evaluation can help to diagnose and, most importantly, create an individualized treatment plan for the child. Recommendations will include home, therapeutic, and school-based solutions. In addition, we will work with the school’s special education staff in order to implement the specialized treatment plan. Evaluations at HHS are conducted for the following diagnoses: Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disorders (including Non-Verbal), Anxiety, Depression, Behavioral Disorders, Personality Disorders, and Asperger Syndrome/High-Functioning Autism.
Adult Evaluations
The goal of assessment is to help pinpoint what specific areas should be targeted in treatment. Evaluations for adults assess for the presence of: Attention Deficit Disorder, Learning Disorders, Personality Disorders, Depression, and Anxiety.
