What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
A neuropsychological
evaluation is the analysis of the neurocognitive and psychological factors
that affect the way a child learns and functions. Because learning and attention disorders
are known to be neurologically based, a comprehensive diagnostic and
prescriptive evaluation should include analysis of neurocognitive
functioning in addition to intellectual and academic skills.
The evaluation blends
the principles of neuropsychology, clinical psychology, school psychology,
and pedagogy to better understand the nature, diagnosis, and treatment of
learning and attention disorders. It
also provides individually-tailored recommendations to help accommodate and
remediate the child’s weaknesses while allowing the child to be
successful in the classroom. A
neuropsychological evaluation is a critical component of the diagnosis of
learning and attention disorders, particularly those that are more subtle,
and clarifies the issues as they relate to school and overall
neurocognitive functioning.
Dr.
Kelly uses a brain-based model of assessment which results in a
comprehensive profile of an individual's cognitive, academic, and emotional
strengths and weaknesses. This profile is then used to guide
recommendations that support school placement and classroom instruction, as
well as any interventions that may be needed to support the individual
including further assessment, medication evaluation, specialized tutoring,
speech/language evaluation and/or therapy, occupational evaluation and/or
therapy, psychotherapy, cognitive remediation or social skills training.
Some key points in a
school-based neuropsychological evaluation:
- To obtain or confirm
a diagnosis of a learning or attention disorder
- To understand from
a neurocognitive standpoint, the reasons for the child’s
difficulties
- To identify
neurological, medical, social, or emotional factors associated with
learning and attention difficulties
- A comprehensive
evaluation looking at brain-behavior relationships, with accurate
diagnosis and appropriate recommendations when necessary.
- Uses
neuropsychological principles and interpretation of the child’s
neurocognitive strengths and weaknesses to understand a variety of
cognitive difficulties and make specific recommendations
- Helps to more
specifically and comprehensively explain a learning disability as it
directly
relates to brain and neurocognitive
functioning
Helpful in children with
the following disorders:
Developmental Dyslexia- Attention Deficit
Hyperactivity Disorder
- Written Language
Disorders
- Autism Spectrum Disorders
- Executive
Functioning Disorders
- Social/Emotional
Disorders
- Post-institutionalized
Adopted Children
Other children who would
benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation have had a documented brain
injury or illness and require monitoring of functioning as well as recommendations
for effective treatment to help with the educational and treatment planning
for the child. Examples of children
who would benefit include:
- Traumatic Brain
Injury
- Acquired Brain
Injury
- Brain Tumor
- Cerebral anoxic or
hypoxic event
- Neurodegenerative
disorders
- Seizure disorder
- Metabolic
disorders (e.g. PKU)
