Has neuropsychological assessment for children been recommended for your student? If so, read on to find out what to expect and how to prepare your child for their upcoming evaluation.
Why Might My Child Be Referred for Evaluation?
A student may be referred for neurological assessment by their school’s counselor, nurse or psychologist, or may receive a referral from their pediatrician. Regardless of who does the referring, there are several factors in determining that neuropsychological services would be beneficial for your child. Some of these include:
* Child shows problems with social skills and communication.
* Child shows evidence of cognitive delays.
* Child is doing poorly in school.
* Child is unable to focus on assignments, chores or other daily tasks.
* Child shows signs of anxiety, depression or other mood disorder.
* Child is aggressive, defiant or excessively argumentative.
What Will the Test Entail?
Typically, the test will begin with or be prefaced with an interview and discussion with the parents of the child being evaluated. Testing will involve a pencil and paper evaluation, as well as hands-on activities and use of computers or tablets, depending on the age of the child. This will typically be performed without parental supervision, though very young children may be permitted to have a guardian sit in on their test. Testing usually takes three to four hours per session.
To prepare your child for their test, be sure to inform them of what will be taking place, give them a good night’s sleep and a healthy breakfast or lunch before their test begins, and discuss dosing of current medications taken before the test with your neuropsychologist to make any necessary adjustments.
What Will the Results Tell Me About My Child?
The results of your child’s neuropsychological evaluation will help you and your child’s medical team decide on any medication or therapy that might be needed to help them deal with learning disabilities or disorders they may be coping with. Additionally, this testing will help your child’s teacher know how to approach their education to provide them with the maximum benefit possible.
If you would like to know more about neuropsychological assessment for children, contact New Jersey neuropsychologist Dr. Joshua Shifrin. You can pay a visit to Facebook page for more information.