Andre van Rooyen, Ph.D.

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 NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENTS
 
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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