If you decide to bring your child to a neuropsychologist for an evaluation here is a general idea of what you can expect.
Initial Interview
The process generally begins with an interview to learn about your child. Questions asked may pertain to your child’s medical and developmental history, academic functioning, and emotional well being, among other areas. These questions allow the neuropsychologist to determine what conditions may be present, which tests are best to assess for these conditions, and if other professionals may be more appropriate to address the problem. It is essential to provide the neuropsychologist with as much information about your child as possible in this step to ensure the rest of the process is able provide the best understanding.
Testing
The neuropsychologist or others in their practice administer standardized tests to your child. In the latter case, the neuropsychologist generally interprets the results. Areas assessed may include the following:
- Attention
- Executive Functioning
- Memory
- Language
- Academic Abilities
- Motor Skills
- Auditory and Visual Processing
- Emotional and Behavioral Functioning
The results from these tests are compared to the performance of other children their age to determine areas of strength and weakness. The neuropsychologist interprets all of this data, combined with information gained from the intake and potentially other sources (e.g., teachers, etc.), to draw diagnostic conclusions.
Feedback
The final step usually involves meeting with the neuropsychologist to discuss the findings and any pertinent recommendations. A written report with this information is usually provided as well. Typically, neuropsychologists are willing to stay involved for consultation as needed, and many times follow up evaluations are conducted to assess progress.
Reference:
McEvoy, R.E., Gangwish, K., & Jones, M. (2016). Child decoded: Unlocking complex issues in your child’s behavior, learning and attention. Louisville, CO: L.E.A.R.N., LLC.