Neuropsychological Assessment
What is it?
A neuropsychological assessment consists of the administration of standardized neuropsychological tests and the use of clinical evaluation to understand an individual's cognitive strengths and areas of difficulty. When a child is struggling at school or at home, testing can help parents and teachers better understand the child's cognitive, emotional, and social functioning as well as to aid in diagnosis and treatment planning. Neuropsychological assessment can screen for learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. In addition, a thorough evaluation will evaluate the extent, if any, that emotional difficulties such as anxiety or depression may be contributing to behavioral, social, or cognitive problems.
Who Should Be Tested?
There are a number of reasons why it may be helpful to have the information a complete neuropsychological evaluation can provide.
•When a student struggles in an academic area such as reading, mathematics, or written expression, testing can help determine the cause and provide recommendations for better academic performance.
•Parents or teachers may observe that a child is having trouble paying attention, concentrating, staying on task, or completing homework.
•Parents and/or teachers may suspect a learning disability.
•A student may feel frustrated in school or have social difficulties in school.
•Some children who feel bored or unchallenged in school may require testing to determine eligibility for gifted education or highly gifted education services.
•Children who have already completed an initial evaluation may need a re-evaluation because previous testing is outdated. For example, requests for standardized test accommodations as well as for other accommodations commonly requested in 504 Plans or IEPs, require current evaluations of intellectual and academic skills and current diagnoses.
A neuropsychological assessment consists of the administration of standardized neuropsychological tests and the use of clinical evaluation to understand an individual's cognitive strengths and areas of difficulty. When a child is struggling at school or at home, testing can help parents and teachers better understand the child's cognitive, emotional, and social functioning as well as to aid in diagnosis and treatment planning. Neuropsychological assessment can screen for learning disabilities, developmental disabilities, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder, and Autism Spectrum Disorders. In addition, a thorough evaluation will evaluate the extent, if any, that emotional difficulties such as anxiety or depression may be contributing to behavioral, social, or cognitive problems.
Who Should Be Tested?
There are a number of reasons why it may be helpful to have the information a complete neuropsychological evaluation can provide.
•When a student struggles in an academic area such as reading, mathematics, or written expression, testing can help determine the cause and provide recommendations for better academic performance.
•Parents or teachers may observe that a child is having trouble paying attention, concentrating, staying on task, or completing homework.
•Parents and/or teachers may suspect a learning disability.
•A student may feel frustrated in school or have social difficulties in school.
•Some children who feel bored or unchallenged in school may require testing to determine eligibility for gifted education or highly gifted education services.
•Children who have already completed an initial evaluation may need a re-evaluation because previous testing is outdated. For example, requests for standardized test accommodations as well as for other accommodations commonly requested in 504 Plans or IEPs, require current evaluations of intellectual and academic skills and current diagnoses.
