Neuropsychological evaluations
Many people wonder what the difference is between a "neuropsychological evaluation" and a "psychoeducational evaluation" or "psychological testing."
Overall, neuropsychological evaluations typically involve: (1) parent and child interviews, and (2) the administration and interpretation of tests and activities that reflect neurodevelopment. These techniques are used to assess multiple areas of development including behavior, cognition, fine and gross-motor skills, language, emotions, social skills, and academic achievement.
However, the difference between neuropsychological evaluations and other evaluations is not necessarily in the tests that are used. Many clinicians can administer and score similar tests within any of these evaluations. To be clear, the difference is in the training and expertise of the clinician who interprets your child's performance. Sometimes the essence of a child's difficulty does not show up in the test scores of a psychoeducational evaluation or psychological testing, leading schools and clinicians to believe that there is no real problem. However, as specialists in brain systems and functional behavior, neuropsychologists assess patterns in information processing, and relate them to brain functioning and related difficulty in home and school settings. This specialization results in an intimate and integrated understanding of children and adolescents, and scientifically-based recommendations that follow. This can result in a more sensitive understanding the struggles that a child or adolescent may face when trying to meet demands in various settings.
A primary goal of evaluations is to understand each child or adolescent as a developing person with a unique profile of social, emotional, cognitive and academic strengths and weaknesses. Evaluations are particularly useful and often necessary for establishing interventions (i.e., medical treatments and educational programs) and gauging response to interventions. Diagnostic impressions are shared with parents following evaluations and recommendations are discussed during an individual feedback and in a comprehensive and confidential written report. Dr. Heitzman is also available to review results and recommendations at team meetings and to work with the school team to develop optimal and necessary educational programs for students.
Overall, neuropsychological evaluations typically involve: (1) parent and child interviews, and (2) the administration and interpretation of tests and activities that reflect neurodevelopment. These techniques are used to assess multiple areas of development including behavior, cognition, fine and gross-motor skills, language, emotions, social skills, and academic achievement.
However, the difference between neuropsychological evaluations and other evaluations is not necessarily in the tests that are used. Many clinicians can administer and score similar tests within any of these evaluations. To be clear, the difference is in the training and expertise of the clinician who interprets your child's performance. Sometimes the essence of a child's difficulty does not show up in the test scores of a psychoeducational evaluation or psychological testing, leading schools and clinicians to believe that there is no real problem. However, as specialists in brain systems and functional behavior, neuropsychologists assess patterns in information processing, and relate them to brain functioning and related difficulty in home and school settings. This specialization results in an intimate and integrated understanding of children and adolescents, and scientifically-based recommendations that follow. This can result in a more sensitive understanding the struggles that a child or adolescent may face when trying to meet demands in various settings.
A primary goal of evaluations is to understand each child or adolescent as a developing person with a unique profile of social, emotional, cognitive and academic strengths and weaknesses. Evaluations are particularly useful and often necessary for establishing interventions (i.e., medical treatments and educational programs) and gauging response to interventions. Diagnostic impressions are shared with parents following evaluations and recommendations are discussed during an individual feedback and in a comprehensive and confidential written report. Dr. Heitzman is also available to review results and recommendations at team meetings and to work with the school team to develop optimal and necessary educational programs for students.