Neuropsychologists study how the brain works and the ways cognitive functioning affect how a person thinks, acts, and feels.  They can determine an individual’s strengths and weakness, and provide specific diagnoses to assist in treatment planning.  Neuropsychologists receive additional specialized training in brain anatomy and physiology, brain diseases and dysfunction, and neuropsychological tests to assess brain functioning. 

Pediatric neuropsychologists specialize in working with children and adolescents.  They use their knowledge of brain development, brain organization, and the effects of various forms of disease or injury to the brain to help define a child’s current pattern of functional strengths and weaknesses.  A neuropsychological evaluation is often recommended to assist in confirming a diagnosis, assist with treatment planning, provide suggestions for improving a child’s behavior and emotional functioning, provide specific recommendations for educational planning, help parents understand what is fair to expect from their child regarding learning and behavior, and to document specific neurocognitive development over time so that medical and educational professionals can refine treatment as necessary with a child’s changing needs.  A neuropsychological evaluation will typically be requested by a primary care physician or a specialist to assist in a diagnostic question or to rule out a specific disorder.  Neuropsychologists usually work with pediatricians, psychiatrists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, physiatrists, oncologists, and other specialists as part of a team to coordinate a child’s care.

What is Involved in a Pediatric Neuropsychological Evaluation?

A pediatric neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of many areas of a child’s functioning.  Most tests involve the child answering questions or attempting various tasks in a one-to-one testing environment.  Some of the test items are similar to school and require your child to answer questions, solve puzzles, and build things while others involve coordination tasks, or drawing.  Common areas that are evaluated include intellectual/cognitive, metacognitive, academic, attention, language, memory, sensory-motor, visual-spatial, adaptive, social, and emotional and behavioral functioning.

When is a Neuropsychological Evaluation Needed?

If A Child Has (Or Is Suspected To Have):

•A neurological condition such as seizures, muscular dystrophy, hydrocephalus, hypoxia, headaches, central nervous system infection, or a brain tumor

•A brain injury resulting from an accident, stroke, or infection in the brain

•A developmental disorder such as autism, Tourette’s syndrome, language disorder, or motor coordination problems

•Memory or attention problems that are impacting daily functioning at home or school such as cognitive disorders, or attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder

•Other medical problems that place a child at an increased risk for brain impairment such as premature birth, chronic heart or respiratory problems, metabolic problems, endocrine problems, certain genetic disorders, or treatment for cancer

•Behavior or psychiatric disorders such as defiance, uncontrollable emotions, tantruming, mood, anxiety, or eating problems

•A learning disability such as reading, writing, math, or nonverbal learning disorder

•Exposure to toxins such as lead or other substances either during childhood or prenatally

•A condition requiring surgery that is suspected to impact neurocognitive functioning such as neurosurgery or heart and/or lung transplantation.  A neuropsychological evaluation can provide useful information for identifying and describing neurocognitive abilities in pre- and post-surgery examinations