About Pediatric Neuropsychology
What is a Pediatric Neuropsychologist and how do I know if my child needs one?
Pediatric neuropsychologists are licensed psychologists. They have training in both clinical psychology and neuropsychology. They have special training in how the brain develops. They use this training to evaluate and help manage children with brain disorders. Such disorders may involve brain injury, medical disease, or developmental problems.
Pediatric neuropsychologists help parents, teachers, and physicians to:
How does a neuropsychological evaluation differ from a psychoeducational evaluation?
Pediatric neuropsychologists and school psychologists often use some of the same tests. However, school evaluations focus on deciding IF a child has a problem with academic skills such as reading, spelling, or math. Pediatric neuropsychologists focus on understanding WHY a child is having problems in school or at home. This is done by examining academic skills but also examining all of the thinking skills needed to perform well in and outside of school – skills like memory, attention, and problem-solving.
Understanding a child’s specific thinking strengths and weaknesses helps to better focus school plans and medical treatment and understand potential areas of future difficulty. Because neuropsychologists, such as Dr. Williams, have training in clinical psychology, they are also able to diagnosis emotional problems like depression and anxiety.
How do I know if my child needs a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation may help if your child has:
Your physician may recommend a neuropsychological assessment to:
Pediatric neuropsychologists are licensed psychologists. They have training in both clinical psychology and neuropsychology. They have special training in how the brain develops. They use this training to evaluate and help manage children with brain disorders. Such disorders may involve brain injury, medical disease, or developmental problems.
Pediatric neuropsychologists help parents, teachers, and physicians to:
- Understand how problems with the brain may relate to problems seen at school, home, or with peers
- Understand how a child learns best
- Understand why a child may have behavior problems
- Help a child deal with thinking or behavior problems
- Identify neurological or psychiatric problems
- Help match expectations to a child’s specific strengths and weaknesses
- Work with other doctors and teachers to develop the best treatment and school plan for a child
How does a neuropsychological evaluation differ from a psychoeducational evaluation?
Pediatric neuropsychologists and school psychologists often use some of the same tests. However, school evaluations focus on deciding IF a child has a problem with academic skills such as reading, spelling, or math. Pediatric neuropsychologists focus on understanding WHY a child is having problems in school or at home. This is done by examining academic skills but also examining all of the thinking skills needed to perform well in and outside of school – skills like memory, attention, and problem-solving.
Understanding a child’s specific thinking strengths and weaknesses helps to better focus school plans and medical treatment and understand potential areas of future difficulty. Because neuropsychologists, such as Dr. Williams, have training in clinical psychology, they are also able to diagnosis emotional problems like depression and anxiety.
How do I know if my child needs a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation may help if your child has:
- A neurological disorder such as spina bifida, hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizures),neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, or a brain tumor.
- A brain injury from a trauma to the head, stroke, lack of oxygen, or an infection.
- Other medical problems such as prematurity, diabetes, chronic heart or breathing problems, certain genetic disorders, or treatment for childhood cancer
- Been exposed to lead, street drugs, or inhalants (carbon monoxide)
- Experienced early deprivation/maltreatment
- Been exposed to alcohol, smoking, or certain drugs prior to birth.
- A developmental or school problem such as a learning disability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or autism spectrum disorder/pervasive developmental disorder
- Had an evaluation by a psychologist or the school, but the treatment following that evaluation has not helped.
Your physician may recommend a neuropsychological assessment to:
- Help to make or confirm a diagnosis
- Get a record of your child’s functioning before treatment with medicine or surgery.
- Record a change in your child after a medical treatment (testing can be repeated to see if the treatment changed your child’s functioning)
- Record your child’s development treatments and expectations can be adjusted to your child’s needs