Frequently Asked Questions For Parents

A Clinical neuropsychologist is a specialist within the discipline of clinical psychology. This individual holds a doctoral degree (a PhD or PsyD) in clinical psychology and is licensed by the state in which they practice. In addition to the training specific to clinical psychology, the clinical neuropsychologist has taken additional coursework in neuroanatomy, neuropathology, and brain development, and has acquired specialized training in research and the practice of clinical neuropsychology. The clinical neuropsychologist has completed both an internship in clinical psychology and a postdoctoral fellowship (residency) in clinical neuropsychology. Consequently, a clinical neuropsychologist is qualified to consider psychological, psychosocial, and neurobiological factors that may contribute to cognitive, emotional, and behavioral difficulties.

A pediatric neuropsychologist is a psychologist who specializes in understanding brain-behavior relationships in children, focusing on how brain function affects learning, emotions, behavior, and independence. They typically have done considerable work, both clinically and in their graduate and postgraduate research, with children and adolescents. Pediatric neuropsychologists conduct comprehensive assessments to characterize a child's unique pattern of strengths and weaknesses in areas such as intelligence, attention, memory, language, executive functioning, visual-spatial, academic achievement, and emotional regulation. In a school context, they are often called upon to figure out the 'why' behind a student's struggles (academic, behavioral, or social) when the root cause is unclear. Their evaluations tend to go beyond those typically included in a school-based psychoeducational assessment (intellectual functioning, academic achievement), offering deeper insights into how a child processes information. The results are often used to guide IEPs or 504 plans, inform instructional strategies, and support tailored interventions both in and out of the classroom. They, too, are often used to diagnose or clarify conditions like ADHD, learning disabilities, autism spectrum disorder, or anxiety/depression.

While pediatric psychologists and neuropsychologists are both clinical psychologists who work with children, their clinical focus, training, and expertise often differ. Pediatric psychologists help children and teens manage emotional and behavioral challenges like anxiety, depression, adjustment to illness, or family stress, often through therapy. Pediatric neuropsychologists, on the other hand, specialize in brain development and how it affects thinking, learning, and behavior. They typically use in-depth testing to assess cognitive (thinking) skills like memory, attention, and problem-solving, especially in kids with medical, neurological, or developmental conditions. Additionally, they receive specialized training in brain development, child development, and how the brain functions and its relation to cognitive/learning/emotional disorders. After earning a doctoral degree in psychology, neuropsychologists complete two years of specialized training in pediatric neuropsychology at the post-doctorate level. During this time, their experiences include research —such as seminars and training focused on neuroanatomy, brain imaging, medical disorders— and clinical work supervised by a clinical neuropsychologist.

Frequently, a referral would be made when there is a particular question concerning a child or adolescent's current emotional, cognitive, and behavioral functioning, and the physician, mental health consultant, or teacher working with that child believes that he or she would benefit from an assessment of his or her neuropsychological status. There is often a question about whether the current difficulties the patient is experiencing related to problems with brain and nervous system development and function. Such questions include whether a child has a specific learning disability, such as a reading or mathematics disorder; executive functioning and behavior regulation challenges; Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder; a developmental disorder such as Autism or Intellectual Disability; or is experiencing difficulties secondary to a neurologically-based medical condition (e.g., an early stroke, Tourette disorder, epilepsy, cancer, and the like).

No — neuropsychologists do not typically provide therapy. Their primary role is to conduct evaluations that help understand how a child's brain is functioning in areas such as attention, memory, learning, and emotional regulation. While therapy is typically not part of their clinical services, the neuropsychologist often collaborates with therapists, schools, and other providers to ensure that the findings from the evaluation lead to appropriate and effective supports. If therapy is recommended, the neuropsychologist can assist families in identifying providers who are well-matched to the child's needs.

Ages: 6 months to 24 years.

Populations served: Children and adolescents with a wide range of developmental, medical, and genetic conditions, including:

• Developmental: ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, learning disability, global developmental delay, intellectual disability.
• Medical: stroke, traumatic brain injury, childhood cancers, epilepsy, diabetes, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, heart conditions, premature birth, exposure to toxins.
• Genetic: Down syndrome, Fragile X syndrome, Turner's syndrome.

No. Pediatric neuropsychologists typically see individuals aged 22 years and younger. In some cases, care may be extended to established patients during their young adult years. If you are looking for a neuropsychologist serving adults, please contact your primary physician or insurance company for a recommendation.

As a parent, you know your child best. If you've noticed your child struggling with their learning, behavior, or emotional regulation, and you're not sure 'why,' a neuropsychological evaluation may be helpful. Their assessment looks at how your child's skills are developing relative to both themselves and their peers of the same age and helps identify strengths and areas that may need further support.

Here are some signs that it might be time to consider one:

Learning Struggles

• Your child is having a hard time reading, writing, or doing math, even with extra help.
• School is becoming increasingly more frustrating for them and you're not sure why.
• Teachers may note that your child seems bright but is not performing to their potential.

Developmental Delays

• Your child isn't meeting their milestones in language, motor, or social development on time.

Attention and Focus Issues

• Your child is having trouble staying focused, following directions, or finishing tasks.
• Your child is easily distracted or impulsive.

Medical History

• Your child has a medical condition (like epilepsy, diabetes, or a past brain injury).
• Your child was born prematurely or had complications at birth.
• Your child is undergoing medical treatments (like chemotherapy, radiation).

Social or Communication Difficulties

• Your child struggles with social cues, forming friendships, or understanding others.

Psychoeducational

• Psychoeducational evaluations are typically performed by school psychologists to determine eligibility for special education services, accommodations, or interventions under laws like IDEA or Section 504.
• Psychoeducational evaluations generally focus on tests that examine academic achievement and skills necessary for academic success. They typically look at:
  • IQ.
  • Academic skills (reading, writing, math).
  • They sometimes examine other areas of function, such as executive functioning and memory, but they do not do so deeply. They, too, generally examine these skills as they relate to school performance rather than general functioning (home, community).
• School psychologists typically do not formally diagnose disorders, such as ADHD or autism spectrum disorder.

Neuropsychological

• Neuropsychological evaluations are typically performed by neuropsychologists to examine how a child's brain is functioning overall, not just in academic settings.
• Neuropsychological evaluations generally seek to characterize skills related to overall functioning rather than just academic success. Thus, they are generally more comprehensive and in-depth than psychoeducational evaluation. As detailed, while some psychoeducational evaluations examine skills, such as executive functioning and memory, they do not typically do so in a comprehensive manner. Neuropsychological evaluation typically looks at:
  • IQ.
  • Academic progress.
  • Language.
  • Verbal and nonverbal processing.
  • Verbal and nonverbal memory.
  • Executive functioning (planning, organization, problem-solving, flexibility, attention, impulse control).
  • Fine motor.
  • Emotional, behavioral, and social functioning.
  • adaptive functioning.
• Neuropsychologists typically diagnose disorders, such as autism spectrum disorder or ADHD, when warranted.

Psychological

A psychological evaluation is typically used to understand a person's emotional and behavioral functioning. It often focuses on diagnosing and understanding mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression, trauma-related concerns, or behavioral issues. These evaluations are usually conducted by clinical psychologists and may involve interviews, rating scales, and sometimes brief cognitive testing.

Neuropsychological

A neuropsychological evaluation, on the other hand, examines how the brain is functioning across many domains, including learning, attention, memory, executive functioning, language, motor skills, and emotional/behavioral regulation. While neuropsychologists do assess behavioral and emotional functioning, it is not the primary focus of their evaluations. Instead, these areas are considered as part of a broader understanding of how the brain is functioning and how it may be affecting the child's ability to learn, think, and function in daily life—especially in the context of developmental, medical, or neurological conditions.

Developmental

Developmental evaluations focus on identifying whether a young child (typically under age 3) is meeting developmental milestones in areas such as speech and language, motor, social interaction, and early problem solving. These evaluations are often used to determine whether a child qualifies for early intervention services. The emphasis is on broad developmental functioning and determining whether a delay is present.

Neuropsychological

A neuropsychological evaluation can also assess development but provides a deeper and more detailed look into the brain-behavior relationship. It is typically more comprehensive and includes standardized testing across many cognitive domains. This includes standardized testing across multiple cognitive domains such as attention, memory, executive functioning, language, visual-spatial skills, motor abilities, and emotional and behavioral regulation. Neuropsychologists are often called upon when a child's developmental profile is more complex, or when there are questions about neurological, medical, or learning-based conditions.

A pediatric neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive, multi-step process that provides detailed information about a child's cognitive, academic, emotional, and behavioral functioning.

The intake session is the first step in a neuropsychological evaluation. It provides you with an opportunity to share your concerns and provide background information about your child. This helps your evaluator choose the right tests and understand your child in their full context—what's going on at home, school, or work. During this meeting, the neuropsychologist will talk with you, and sometimes with your child or teen as appropriate—to gather information about their family, developmental, and medical histories, school performance, behavior and emotional functioning, and any current challenges they are having at home, in school, or in social settings. You'll be asked about the concerns that led you to seek a neuropsychological evaluation for your child, such as attention issues, learning difficulties, memory problems, emotional struggles, or behavioral challenges. You may also be asked to bring in any prior testing (school, psychological, neuropsychological), school records (IEP/504 Plan, report cards, teacher reports), or medical reports. The goal of the intake session is to understand your child's unique situation so that the evaluation can be tailored to address your questions and concerns, as well as guide helpful recommendations.

The testing portion of your child's neuropsychological evaluation will be completed over one-to-two sessions, totaling approximately 4-6 hours of one-on-one testing, including paper-pencil tasks, hands-on tasks, computer tasks, and answering questions. The time required to complete the testing portion of the evaluation depends on your child's age, ability level, areas of challenge, and own pace. These tasks often feel like games, puzzles, schoolwork, or memory games. They typically assess foundational skills such as intelligence, attention, memory, language, visual-spatial skills, academic abilities, and emotional/behavioral functioning. Parents, teachers, and children may also be asked to fill out questionnaires about the child's behavioral, emotional, social, or adaptive functioning.

Testing is conducted in a quiet and supportive environment tailored to your child's comfort level. During this time, parents are typically asked to stay nearby in a separate room. This setup helps your child stay focused and minimizes distractions, allowing the neuropsychologist to obtain the most accurate assessment of their abilities. Frequent breaks are offered to help your child stay focused and reduce fatigue. All tests are administered using standardized procedures appropriate for your child's age and developmental level.

The feedback portion of the neuropsychological evaluation is where the neuropsychologist meets with you — and sometimes with your child, as appropriate, to explain the results of your child's assessment. The neuropsychologist reviews the types of tests administered, which assess different areas of your child's functioning. The results are explained in a parent-friendly way, focusing on your child's strengths as well as areas of challenge. If the results support a diagnosis, this will be explained clearly, along with how it may impact your child's learning and daily functioning. The neuropsychologist will provide practical, individualized recommendations to support your child at home and at school, which may include strategies, therapies, school services, or further evaluations if needed. You are encouraged to ask questions and share your thoughts. The goal is to ensure you feel supported, informed, and equipped to help your child thrive. A written report is usually provided shortly after the session that summarizes findings and recommendations. This document can be used to support things like IEPs, 504 plans, or treatment planning.

A neuropsychological evaluation typically looks at a wide range of areas of function. This helps the neuropsychologist understand how a child's brain is developing and how it may be influencing their behavior, learning, and daily functioning.

Here are several areas of functioning typically assessed:

Explain the purpose of the evaluation

Reassure them

• Emphasize that there are no right or wrong answers.
• Let them know it's not a test they can fail—it's about understanding, not grading. Also, encourage them to do their best.

Manage their expectations

• Let them know it might take a few hours and involve puzzles, drawing, memory tasks, or questions.
• Explain that they can ask for breaks or snacks if they need them.

Be honest but positive with them

• Avoid calling it "testing" if that creates stress; instead, say "activities" or "games."
• Avoid saying it's to "see what's wrong." Frame it as learning more about how they think and feel.

Solicit and answer their questions

To minimize behavioral interference during neuropsychological testing of a child, a neuropsychologist uses several strategies, including:

• The neuropsychologist takes the time to get to know the child, making them feel comfortable and relaxed.
• The neuropsychologist explains what will happen during the testing, using age-appropriate language and answering any questions the child may have.
• The neuropsychologist uses a positive and encouraging tone throughout the testing process.
• The neuropsychologist incorporates breaks into the testing schedule to allow the child to rest and recharge.
• They may use positive reinforcement, including praise or small rewards, to encourage cooperation and engagement.

Please use this checklist to prepare for your child's evaluation:

The goal of a neuropsychological evaluation is to understand how your child's skills are developing. To really make sense of how they're doing, we need something (called normative data) to compare their results to. Normative data is information collected from a large group of children who are the same age (often of a similar background) as your child. This group serves as a "normative" comparison. By looking at how most kids in your child's age group perform on these tests, neuropsychologists can see if your child's scores fall within the expected range—or if they're higher or lower than their same age peers, which may signal a particular challenge or strength, helping professionals understand your child's unique needs and guide recommendations—like whether support at school is needed or what kind of therapies might be helpful.

Typically, the feedback session occurs 2 to 4 weeks after the final testing session. During this time, the neuropsychologist carefully scores and interprets all test data, integrates information from various sources (e.g., parent/teacher reports, school records). The feedback session provide clear explanations of the findings and personalized recommendations to help support your child.

After the evaluation is completed and the results are discussed during the feedback session, you will receive a comprehensive written report. This report includes background information, test results, diagnostic impressions (if applicable), and clear, individualized recommendations.

You are encouraged to share this report with others who are involved in your child's care, such as their pediatrician, therapist, or school team. This can help guide academic supports (like an IEP or 504 Plan), therapy goals, or medical decision-making.

• Teaching methods (e.g., visual supports for visual learners).
• Accommodations (e.g., extra time for processing speed issues).
• Interventions (e.g., targeted executive functioning support).
• Behavioral supports and classroom strategies.

• The evaluation can provide a detailed picture of how your child learns, processes information, and manages emotions. This can help make sure that your child's current supports best fit with their needs.
• The evaluation can act as a tool to measure how your child is progressing over time with their supports. It can show whether the current supports are making a positive impact or if new strategies are needed.
• Sometimes, subtle learning difficulties or emotional challenges are not immediately apparent, even if your child is receiving support. A neuropsychological evaluation can uncover these issues, ensuring no area of need is overlooked.
• An evaluation can help distinguish symptoms that may overlap with other disorders and assist with diagnosing.
• Can help to understand individuals with unexplained cognitive or memory difficulties, attention problems, or learning challenges.
• The report from the neuropsychological evaluation provides clear, objective data that can be very helpful when advocating for your child's needs in school meetings. It can make it easier to request additional or adjusted supports if needed.
• The results of the evaluation can also help with future planning, especially during key transitions (like moving to middle school or high school). It can guide decisions about the type of support, classroom environment, and therapy options your child may need down the road.
• It can monitor medication side effects (i.e., chemotherapy, radiation, antiseizure) for cognitive difficulties.
• It can assess baseline functioning prior to medical interventions (i.e., brain surgery).

Yes, they are qualified to diagnose these conditions. They use a combination of testing data, clinical observation, history, behavior reports, and alignment with criteria in the DSM-5 to determine whether a diagnosis is appropriate.

Not necessarily. While a diagnosis from a neuropsychologist can be an important part of the process, schools use their own eligibility criteria to determine whether a student qualifies for services under an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan. That said, a comprehensive neuropsychological report can provide valuable information to help school teams understand your child's needs, advocate for support, and guide the development of appropriate accommodations or interventions.

• If there is a change in functioning
• Before transitions (e.g., to middle or high school).
• When new concerns arise.
• If your child continues to face challenges with reading, writing, or doing math, despite receiving interventions and supports over a lengthy time.

• Share observations, work samples, or data — this helps the neuropsychologist understand your child's real-world functioning.
• Attend feedback sessions when possible.
• Reach out with questions — many times neuropsychologists can offer brief consultations to clarify findings or brainstorm strategies in the classroom.

Generally, no. Neuropsychological evaluations are confidential. They are not automatically shared with schools, physicians, or anyone else unless you give permission. Exceptions may apply under legal or ethical, including include:

• Threats of harm to yourself or others.
• Suspected abuse (especially child, elder, or dependent adult abuse).
• Court ordered disclosure.
• Insurance purposes if you're using insurance to pay (they may request access to parts of the report).
• Workplace or legal evaluations (for disability claims, custody cases, or fitness for duty).