Frequently Asked Questions

What is Pediatric Neuropsychological Testing?
Children's health, development, learning and the ability to relate with each other are governed by the health of their brain/body functions and the health of their environment.  Pediatric Neuropsychological testing is a means of evaluating the major functions of development: Attention, Executive Function/Self Direction, Perception, Memory, Speech, Language, Sensory, Motor, Mood and Social behaviors, correlated with age, intellect, educational level and socio-cultural factors.  Brain behavior research has produced test data that evaluates specific aspects of these brain behaviors and specifies strengths, weaknesses, dysfunction or impairment of development.  NDC evaluates children ages birth-21 years.  Evaluation results in diagnosis and very specific interdisciplinary direction/support that helps maximize your child's potential and promotes your child's health, learning and well-being.

What is the training of a Pediatric Neuropsychologist?
A pediatric neuropsychologist has a doctoral degree in clinical psychology and additional study and training in child brain-behavior development.  Neuropsychological training involves interdisciplinary experience/team collaboration with health specialists including psychology, neurology, neuropsychiatry, developmental pediatrics, physical medicine and allied health disciplines. A neuropsychologist receives specialized study in brain anatomy and physiology, human learning, human development, research measurement and design. Professional organizations for neuropsychologists require specific training and experience for membership. Major organizations include the National Academy of Neuropsychology, International Neuropsychology Society, American Psychological Association-Neuropsychology Division.

Who can refer for Neuropsychological Evaluation?
Referrals from your doctor are not required.  Physicians and other health specialists and educators often do refer for evaluation.  Families seen at the office also make referrals to their family and friends.  The highest compliment our patients can give us is their referral.  Thank you for your trust.

How is Neuropsychological evaluation different from the conventional psychological evaluation?
These two procedures are different.  Conventional psychological evaluation focuses primarily upon social/emotional issues.  Neuropsychological evaluation focuses upon brain function/brain behavior as it relates to disorder/disease.  The neuropsychological evaluation also includes an assessment of mood correlated with changing brain function and external/social factors.

How is Neuropsychological evaluation different from Neurological evaluation?
Neurological evaluation is administered by a physician.  The physician evaluation involves examination of motor/sensory systems, verbal/non-verbal language function and mood.  Acute abnormality is usually revealed in this examination.  Dysfunction versus damage or "soft" symptoms associated with brain disease/disorder, especially disturbances of cognitive/language functions, may not be detected.  The most sensitive indicators of brain injury, developmental disorders, learning disability, etc., are often deficits in physically subtle, although behaviorally significant, affecting attention, perception, memory, language, motor, cognitive and mood functions.  These more subtle brain-behaviors are assessed using neuropsychological evaluation.  Pediatric Neurologists and Pediatric Neuropsychologists often work together in order to provide Whole-Brain, Whole-Child evaluation and treatment.

How much time is involved in Neuropsychological evaluation?
Neuropsychological evaluation is a thorough examination of brain behavior processes regarding the development of attention, executive function, perception, memory, speech, language, sensory, motor and mood abilities.  The number of tests and test sessions involved in the evaluation depend upon the purpose for evaluation and your child's history/symptom complex.

Pertinent medical, allied health, educational, family and social information is also reviewed.  Test data is scored and interpreted and an in-depth review of evaluation results and interdisciplinary recommendations is provided with parents/family.  Formal evaluation and treatment reports are also provided.  Conferences with the child's physicians, schools and allied health professionals are available upon signed releases of information.

We hope this information has been helpful.  Please contact the office at any time if you have questions or concerns.  We are happy to speak with you.  You will find that the staff at our office are committed to children, their health, development and learning.  We are dedicated to the increased understanding of brain-behavior development and promoting the quality of life of those we serve.