Written by Erin Edwards, Ph.D., LP

“This just makes so much sense”

“It’s such a relief to have a name for what he’s going through”

“So that’s why he’s having such a hard time in school”

“Sometimes we thought we were just imagining it. It feels so good to know it’s not all in our heads.”

Hearing comments like these in my feedback sessions remind me why pursuing a neuropsychological evaluation can be such a valuable step in parents’ journeys to understand their children. For many of the families that I work with, the assessment process starts with a general feeling that information is missing. Maybe school seems harder than it should be, emotions are bigger than expected, or things that seem easy for other families are nearly impossible for them. When these concerns linger, many parents find themselves asking, “Is this just a phase? Is this just normal for a kid her age? Or is there something we’re missing here?” That’s where testing comes in.

What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

A neuropsychological evaluation (sometimes called “a neuropsych” or just “testing”) is a thorough and evidence-driven way of understanding how your child’s brain works. The process includes talking with you and your child, having your child complete a variety of standardized tasks, and gathering input from teachers and other important adults in your child’s life. These pieces come together to help us understand your child’s problem-solving, learning, memory, attention, emotional well-being, and social skills. We use this information to determine whether any diagnoses like ADHD, autism, or a learning disorder, help to describe their experiences. Most importantly, we use this information to write individualized recommendations for supporting your child’s development at home, at school, and in the community. 

Why Do Families Consider Testing?

Families consider a neuropsychological evaluation for many different reasons. Some notice ongoing struggles at school, even with tutoring or a lot of effort on the part of their child. Others see difficulties with focus, organization, or follow-through that are affecting their child’s school work, friendships, or home life. Some parents describe significant differences between what their child seems to know and what they are able to show on tests and assignments. Many families are concerned about emotional ups and downs and behavioral challenges. Social concerns, like difficulties making or keeping friends or understanding sarcasm or others’ emotions, are also common reasons families reach out.

Some parents come to us with specific concerns about ADHD, autism, or learning differences given a family history of these conditions. Others are referred for testing by their teachers, school counselors, or pediatricians. All of these are valid reasons to seek testing.

How Do I Know if Testing is Right for My Child?

If your child is struggling and the reasons aren’t clear, testing can help provide clarity. If you’ve tried all the parenting techniques your well-meaning friends have recommended and they just aren’t working, your child might be wired differently. If you’ve tried different kinds of support like therapy, occupational therapy, or tutoring and still feel unsure about how to help, an evaluation can help bring everything together. Many families pursue testing not because they want a label but because they want understanding. They want to understand how their child’s brain works and they want to know exactly what support will be best for them.

What Happens After the Evaluation?

One common worry parents have is whether the evaluation will actually lead to helpful next steps. The answer is yes, recommendations are a huge part of the assessment process. During the feedback appointment, you will receive recommendations personalized to your child’s unique neuropsychological profile. These suggestions are meant to be practical and realistic, focusing on what will help your child at home, at school, and in the community. Recommendations often include suggestions for therapy goals, parenting strategies, and, when indicated, medication. We also often include recommendations for classroom accommodations and other learning supports that can be used to assist school planning, including IEPs and 504 Plans. 

These recommendations are also included in the written report, to facilitate communication with schools and other professionals involved in your child’s care. With your permission, we are also happy to communicate directly with these other professionals to put these recommendations into practice. 

So, Is It Worth It?

We understand that pursuing a neuropsychological evaluation involves a significant investment of time, financial resources, and trust. Our hope is that the return on these investments is a clear understanding of your child and confidence in your next steps. A comprehensive understanding of a child’s strengths and challenges allows parents, school, and providers to eliminate the guesswork and move right into delivering targeted, effective support. Ultimately, the goal of the evaluation is to create clarity, guide decision making, and support your child’s development.

For more details about neuropsychological assessments and our process, please visit our Assessment Services page.