The Purpose of Neuropsychological Testing
Designed to examine cognitive and emotional functioning, as well as their behavior and social skills, neuropsychological assessments are conducted by qualified professionals who use a variety of tests and instruments that measure different aspects of your child’s brain functions.
By looking at the results of these tests, professionals can draw conclusions about how your child learns, remembers and processes information, pays attention, solves problems, and more. With a deeper understanding of cognitive strengths and weaknesses, you can encourage success in school, at home, and in social situations.
A Comprehensive Evaluation
Neuropsychological evaluations typically include a wide battery of tests to fully understand one’s cognitive functions. Don’t worry, though—there are no needles, white lab coats, or beakers filled with fizzing chemicals. Here’s what you can typically expect during these assessments:
- A parent or guardian intake session. During this initial session, you provide information about your child’s developmental, medical, educational, and psychological history. This gives the clinical neuropsychology professional a framework of reference.
- A child intake session. Your child meets the medical professional for the first time, with the opportunity to ask any questions. They may also be asked to complete a few questionnaires about their feelings, interactions with others, and school performance.
- A few days of testing. Over a few days, your child participates in a wide variety of activities and assessments that shed light on their intellectual functioning, attention and executive performance, educational achievement, and emotional and behavioral skills. Depending on the reason for referral, these assessments may also include tests that measure visual-spatial and visual-perceptual skills, fine motor coordination, or language skills.
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4 Key Benefits of Neuropsychological Assessments
Here are some key reasons why neuropsychological assessments are crucial for understanding your child’s brain:
Neuropsychological Diagnosis
One of the primary benefits of a neuropsychological assessment is to diagnose or rule out any possible conditions. These evaluations are used to determine if a diagnosis such as Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), or Learning Disabilities (LDs) is present. They can also be used to identify any other areas in which your child may need additional support, highlighting weaknesses in brain function relating to memory, language, and more.
Continuous Improvement
Neuropsychological testing and evaluation are not one-off events—they’re often used over time to understand the impact of interventions and treatment, providing a baseline for reference. This makes it possible to make adjustments as needed, to ensure constant and consistent support. These assessments also reveal the incredible progress that your child makes over time. For example, if they are diagnosed with ADHD, you can compare their ability to focus on specific tasks now to before they started treatment.
Personalized Support
By taking the time to undergo neuropsychological testing and evaluations, you gain a comprehensive view of how your child’s brain works. With this information, it’s possible to create an individualized treatment or education program for your child’s specific needs. The brain training gives your child the tools they need to succeed in school, with peers, or at home. As mentioned before, these treatment programs can be adjusted as needed.
Special Accommodations
Neuropsychological assessments can also be used to determine what support and services your child needs for life outside of treatment itself. They may recommend special accommodations, such as extended time during tests, mental or movement breaks at school, or a guidance counselor.
Transform Your Child's Life With Abbey Neuropsychology
At Abbey Neuropsychology, we understand the nuances of living with conditions and developmental disorders like ADHD, ASD, depression, or traumatic brain injuries. That’s why we’ve spent years fine-tuning our neuropsychological assessments to provide your child the most thorough, personalized treatment options. Get in touch today to learn more!
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