Andre van Rooyen, Ph.D.

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        NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
 
  A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of your
  child’s individual learning strengths and weaknesses across multiple
  cognitive (learning) domains. The goal of the evaluation is to explain to    
  you as parents, as well as others who may interact with your child, the
  logic of how he or she best thinks and learns.

  In this manner, your child’s areas of strength can be used to help them 
  compensate for their areas of weakness. While diagnosis is not the goal
  of the evaluation, this assessment will often identify specific learning  
  differences(disability), ADD/ADHD, and/or other 
  cognitive/neurodevelopmental delays.

   THE TEST BATTERY:
    
      Testing usually targets each of the following domains of functioning:
       •   Cognitive (thinking, reasoning, IQ) assessment
       •   Visual-mediated abilities
       •   Language-mediated abilities
       •   Learning and memory assessment
       •   Attention and concentration/executive functioning skills
       •   Academic achievement (reading, writing, math skills)
       •   Phonological processing/retrieval fluency/phonological
          memory
       •   Social/emotional development 

    COMPONENTS OF THE ASSESSMENT:
      
        • Parent Interview
            •  Child Observation
               Teacher input
            •  Input from other specialists working with the child, as appropriate
            •  Test sessions with the child
            •  Feedback with parents
            •  Written report
            •  Attendance at school meetings, as appropriate

          PARENT INTERVIEW
          
           An interview with parents is scheduled in order to obtain an in-depth 

           understanding of the child, both in terms of strengths and areas of 
           concerns.

        

           Information obtained includes a developmental history, medical 

           history, educational history, and history of social/emotional

           development.


           Issues pertaining to family dynamics and interpersonal relationships 

           are discussed.


           At the conclusion of this interview, the scope of the evaluation

           will be discussed with parents and testing sessions with the child

           will be scheduled.


          CHILD ASSESSMENT


          

           The evaluation will be scheduled over multiple days in order

           to ensure that test results are reliable and accurate.


           Children usually tire after a few hours of one-to-one testing and

           therefore, test results may be affected negatively if individual  

           sessions are too long. 


           Two or three sessions are typically needed. Occasionally, shorter,

           more frequent sessions are deemed more appropriate, especially

           with younger children.


         SCHOOL OBSERVATION/TEACHER CONSULTATION

          

           When appropriate, the child will be observed in school in order to  

           gain an understanding of the way in which he/she functioning within

           the context of a the group and academic setting.


           Information is gathered from the classroom teacher in the way of

           curriculum based assessments, behavioral ratings etc.



          CONSULTATION WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS 


          

           Speech and Language Therapist

           Occupational Therapists

           Physical Therapists

           Pediatricians

           Neurologists

           Psychiatrists


         FEEDBACK




           Test results are discussed with parents, and a written report 
           summarizing results of the assessment is provided.

      

           Frequently, a separate session is scheduled with teh child so that

           feedback can be provided to help him/her gain knowledge about the

           individual learning profile


           Recommendations for intervention are suggested and individually  

           designed, based on the unique profile of your child.


      


          FOLLOW UP

          

           This may include attendance at school meetings/IEP, additional 
           sessions with parents to further their understanding of their child’s 
           learning profile, debriefing sessions with the child, etc.

           From intake to feedback the process typically takes 4 to 6 weeks.




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