Pediatric Neuropsychology
Pediatric neuropsychology is a specialized area investigating the connection between the brain, learning, and behavior. Clinicians with training in neuropsychological assessment evaluate the domains of attention, memory, intelligence, language, visual-perception, visual-spatial thinking, sensory and motor abilities, “frontal lobe” or executive functioning of the brain, academic achievement, and personality or emotional functioning of the brain.
A neuropsychological evaluation is typically focused on understanding brain-related cognitive, learning, behavioral, and emotional disorders. Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation includes testing, a feedback session with parents, and a written report to referral sources. The written report provides results and guidance in cognitive, learning, behavioral, and emotional domains. Interdisciplinary strategies for remediation, compensation, coping, educational planning, and family adjustment are provided. At the Pediatric Neurodevelopment Institute, consultative reports include the input of additional members of the assessment and treatment team who interacted with and assessed the child or adolescent.
When to refer for a neuropsychological evaluation:
Children are often referred by a pediatrician, teacher, school psychologist, or other professional because of problems such as:
- Difficulty in learning, attention, behavior, socialization, or emotional control.
- A developmental problem that affects the brain in some way.
- A brain injury from an accident, birth trauma, or other physical stress.
A neuropsychological evaluation is not a fixed series of tests that anyone can give. Specialized training allows the neuropsychologist to select, administer, and interpret the particular tests and procedures that will yield the most comprehensive understanding of a child’s strengths and weaknesses. Importantly, each neuropsychological examination is tailored to the needs of the child.
A neuropsychological evaluation of a school-age child or adolescent at the Pediatric Neurodevelopment Institute may include: general intellect, executive skills (such as organization, planning, inhibition, and flexibility), attention, learning and memory, visiual-spatial skills, behavioral and emotional functioning, and social skills.
In addition, experts in special education, school psychology, speech and language, or physical therapy may consult on an assessment in areas such as academic achievement skills (reading or math), learning disabilities, motor-coordination, or language.
What can we expect from an exam?
A neuropsychological evaluation usually includes an interview with the parents or guardians about the child’s history, observation of an interview with the child, and testing. Testing involves paper and pencil and hands-on activities, answering questions, and sometimes using a computer. Parents may be asked to fill out questionnaires about their child’s development and behavior. Because the Pediatric Neurodevelopment Institute is a multidisciplinary training institute, your child may be assessed by more than one consultant, depending upon the nature of the consultation. Assessments which include a developmental physical, speech and language, or physical therapy consultation may use additional specialized equipment.
Preparing Your Child or Adolescent for Testing:
Make sure your child has a good night’s sleep before the testing. If your child wears glasses, a hearing aid, or has special language needs, please alert us to those. If your child is on medication, please check with the Pediatric Neurodevelopment Institute before testing so that we may better coordinate dosage time with the assessment process. If your child has had previous school testing, an individual education plan (IEP), or has related medical records, please send this information and records to the Pediatric Neurodevelopment Institute for review.
What you tell your child about this evaluation depends on your child’s age and development and how much he or she can understand. Many of the assessment measures will be ones that relate to things your child knows about and can help you provide explanations such as “looking at your problems with reading,” “how you follow directions,” or “helping you with things that make you upset.”
Sometimes, younger children worry that going to the Pediatric Neurodevelopment Institute might involve invasive procedures such as “shots.” If you child is worried about this, reassure them that there will be no “shots,” and mainly people will be asking them questions or having them do different tasks.
