Pediatric Neuropsychological Evaluations
Neuropsychological assessments help us understand how a child’s brain development relates to their thinking, learning, emotions, and behaviors. At Neuropsychology Associates, we strive to provide thoughtful, comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for children and adolescents to better understand each child’s unique strengths and challenges.
These evaluations closely examine many areas of functioning, including thinking and problem-solving skills, language, visual-spatial abilities, attention and executive functioning (such as planning, organization, and staying focused), learning and memory, academic skills, and social-emotional well-being. Testing is typically completed over 2–3 sessions, each lasting about 2–4 hours, allowing a pace that is comfortable and supportive for your child.
The testing process is designed to be engaging and child-friendly, incorporating a mix of paper-and-pencil activities, computer tasks, puzzles, and hands-on exercises. No special preparation is needed; just have your child come as they are. However, it is helpful for your child to be well-rested and to have eaten beforehand.
After the evaluation, the neuropsychologist carefully reviews all the information gathered, including test results, interview notes, and any previous records. You will then meet for a feedback session to go over the results, ask questions, and discuss personalized recommendations. A detailed written report is provided a few weeks later to guide next steps and support your child at home, in school, and beyond.
How can I talk to my child about the evaluation?
It can be helpful to introduce the evaluation using examples your child can relate to. For instance, you might say:
“You know how you mentioned that you get really bored in math class.”
“You told me making friends has been tough.”
“I know you told me that understanding what you have read has been challenging.”
You can then explain that you’ve found someone who helps kids understand how they learn and think, and who will help come up with ways to make things easier.
You can also reassure your child that this is not like a typical doctor visit, there are no shots! A neuropsychologist is more of a thinking doctor who looks at how children think and learn by doing a variety of activities with them, some familiar (such as school topics like math) and some new (such as solving puzzles).
During the evaluation, your child will be reminded that the tasks are for many different ages. The goal is not to get everything right, but to try their best and take guesses when they can.
If your child has questions, we encourage them to ask. We are happy to help them feel comfortable and informed throughout the process.