What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
Welcome to Horizon Neuropsychological Services!
We are thrilled to be working with your family.
Many parents/caregivers have questions regarding their child’s development, behavior, or academic performance, while others are seeking guidance and support. Some parents/caregivers are referred by a teacher, pediatrician, medical specialist, or psychotherapist, but are uncertain as to why their child needs a neuropsychological evaluation. Regardless of what brought your family to our practice, feel comfort in knowing that you have come to the right place and that our team is dedicated to helping you reach your goals.
Welcome to Horizon Neuropsychological Services!
We are thrilled to be working with your family.
Many parents/caregivers have questions regarding their child’s development, behavior, or academic performance, while others are seeking guidance and support. Some parents/caregivers are referred by a teacher, pediatrician, medical specialist, or psychotherapist, but are uncertain as to why their child needs a neuropsychological evaluation. Regardless of what brought your family to our practice, feel comfort in knowing that you have come to the right place and that our team is dedicated to helping you reach your goals.
Below is information provided by the American Psychological Association (APA) that answers commonly asked questions. If you find that your questions are not answered in their entirety, please do not hesitate to call our office to speak with one of our clinicians.
What is neuropsychology?
Clinical Neuropsychology is a specialty field dedicated to understanding the relationships between the brain and behavior, which is important when diagnosing brain disorders, assessing cognitive and behavioral functioning, and designing effective treatment plans.
How does a neuropsychologist differ from a neurologist?
The fields of neurology and neuropsychology overlap in many ways and doctors often collaborate with one another given their shared expertise in the central nervous system (i.e., the brain and spinal cord). However, there are some key differences in the two fields. For example, a neurologist uses imaging tools (e.g., MRI, fMRI, CT) to view the brain and see if there are any structural abnormalities that could be harmful, while a neuropsychologist engages in a series of interactive tests with their patients to learn how their brain structures influence their thinking skills, emotions, and behavior in comparison to peers their age. A neuropsychologist also studies central nervous system challenges but instead focuses on thinking skills, emotions, and behaviors. They use paper-pencil tests, problem-solving tasks, questionnaires, and more. Neurologists and neuropsychologists often work together.
What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
As indicated above, a neuropsychologist uses a series of interactive tests to understand the brain-behavior relationship that is unique to each child. In doing so, they assess a wide variety of abilities, such as verbal and nonverbal skills, problem-solving, attention, memory, motor, adaptive functioning, academics, emotion regulation, and social communication/interaction. Once data are collected, the neuropsychologist compares the child’s performance on these interactive tests with peers their age to identify strengths and weaknesses. Results are then carefully reviewed in the context of the person’s medical and family history, as well as their culture, access to resources, and education. Collectively, diagnoses are made and a treatment plan is created, so as to help the family give their child the tools he or she needs to reach their full potential. All of this information is then documented in a report and given to the parents, as well as any necessary treatment providers (per parent request). Click here to review our Evaluation Models.
What is the purpose of a neuropsychological evaluation?
At Horizon Neuropsychological Services, we embrace a strengths-based model. While it is important to name areas of difficulty, our clinicians do not seek to identify “what’s wrong” with a child. Instead, they focus on helping children build upon their inherent strengths while working around their weaknesses. Doing so empowers children to be the best version of themselves in life and reach their optimal potential.
Who completes a neuropsychological evaluation?
Neuropsychological evaluations are conducted by a licensed clinical psychologist (with a PhD or PsyD degree) who completed a two-year fellowship in neuropsychology. Child neuropsychologists provide comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for preschool-aged children, school-age children, adolescents, and young adults. The neuropsychologist considers gifts and talents within a developmental framework. They honor your individual child’s abilities while also determining what help your child needs to reach their full potential.
What is neuropsychology?
Clinical Neuropsychology is a specialty field dedicated to understanding the relationships between the brain and behavior, which is important when diagnosing brain disorders, assessing cognitive and behavioral functioning, and designing effective treatment plans.
How does a neuropsychologist differ from a neurologist?
The fields of neurology and neuropsychology overlap in many ways and doctors often collaborate with one another given their shared expertise in the central nervous system (i.e., the brain and spinal cord). However, there are some key differences in the two fields. For example, a neurologist uses imaging tools (e.g., MRI, fMRI, CT) to view the brain and see if there are any structural abnormalities that could be harmful, while a neuropsychologist engages in a series of interactive tests with their patients to learn how their brain structures influence their thinking skills, emotions, and behavior in comparison to peers their age. A neuropsychologist also studies central nervous system challenges but instead focuses on thinking skills, emotions, and behaviors. They use paper-pencil tests, problem-solving tasks, questionnaires, and more. Neurologists and neuropsychologists often work together.
What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
As indicated above, a neuropsychologist uses a series of interactive tests to understand the brain-behavior relationship that is unique to each child. In doing so, they assess a wide variety of abilities, such as verbal and nonverbal skills, problem-solving, attention, memory, motor, adaptive functioning, academics, emotion regulation, and social communication/interaction. Once data are collected, the neuropsychologist compares the child’s performance on these interactive tests with peers their age to identify strengths and weaknesses. Results are then carefully reviewed in the context of the person’s medical and family history, as well as their culture, access to resources, and education. Collectively, diagnoses are made and a treatment plan is created, so as to help the family give their child the tools he or she needs to reach their full potential. All of this information is then documented in a report and given to the parents, as well as any necessary treatment providers (per parent request). Click here to review our Evaluation Models.
What is the purpose of a neuropsychological evaluation?
At Horizon Neuropsychological Services, we embrace a strengths-based model. While it is important to name areas of difficulty, our clinicians do not seek to identify “what’s wrong” with a child. Instead, they focus on helping children build upon their inherent strengths while working around their weaknesses. Doing so empowers children to be the best version of themselves in life and reach their optimal potential.
Who completes a neuropsychological evaluation?
Neuropsychological evaluations are conducted by a licensed clinical psychologist (with a PhD or PsyD degree) who completed a two-year fellowship in neuropsychology. Child neuropsychologists provide comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for preschool-aged children, school-age children, adolescents, and young adults. The neuropsychologist considers gifts and talents within a developmental framework. They honor your individual child’s abilities while also determining what help your child needs to reach their full potential.