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NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
A neuropsychological evaluation may be performed
with an adult or a child.
An accurate diagnosis is a critical step
for identifying challenges the individual is having so that
proper treatment and interventions can be established.
A neuropsychological evaluation for a child
usually includes gathering a history of information about
your child’s functioning, as well as an interview with
you about your child, observation of and interview with your
child, and testing. Testing involves paper and pencil and
hands-on activities, answering questions and sometimes using
technology. Questionnaires are sometimes completed about
your child’s behavior or development.
Formal testing of abilities such as memory
and language skills assesses brain functioning. A neuropsychologist,
such as Dr. Johnson or Dr. Tews-Koslowski, conducts the evaluation,
interprets the test results and makes recommendations.
A typical neuropsychological evaluation of
a child or college student assesses:
--General intellect
--Achievement skills, such as reading and math
--Executive skills, such as organization, planning, inhibition
and flexibility
--Attention
--Learning and Memory
--Language
--Visual-spatial skills
--Fine-motor skills
--Behavior and emotional functioning
--social skills
Some abilities may be measured in more detail
than others, depending on the child’s needs. The results
may be helpful in a number of ways:
- Testing can explain why your child is having school problems.
For example, a child may have difficulty reading because
of attentional problems, language disorder, auditory processing,
or reading disability. Testing guides interventions.
The results indicate methods to be used for remediation,
as well as what skills to work on and which strategies to
use.
- Testing can help detect the effects of developmental and
neuropsychological problems, such as Asperger’s Disorder,
attention deficit, hyperactivity, dyslexia, dyscalulia,
dysgraphia, emotional dysregulation
- Different childhood disorders result in specific patterns
of strengths and weaknesses. These profiles of abilities
can help identify a child’s disorder and the brain
areas that are involved. For example, testing can
help differentiate between an attention deficit and depression
or determine whether a language delay is due to problems
in producing speed, understanding or expressing language,
social shyness, Asperger Disorder, or cognitive delay.
- Most importantly, testing provides a better understanding
of the child’s behavior and learning in school, at
home and in the community. The evaluation can guide
teachers, therapists and you to better help your child work
to his potential
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