Frequently Asked Questions About Neuropsychology

Clinical neuropsychology is focused on understanding the link between the brain and behavior. For example, how changes in the health of the brain may affect the ability to pay attention, remember, or solve problems. This understanding between how someone thinks and acts and how the brain works is used to diagnose and treat brain disorders.

Pediatric neuropsychologists are licensed psychologists. They have training in both clinical psychology and neuropsychology, which is special training in how the brain develops. They use this training to evaluate and help children with disorders, such as brain injury, medical disease, or developmental problems. Pediatric neuropsychologists help parents, teachers, and physicians to:

• Understand how problems with the brain may relate to problems seen at school, home, or with peers
• Understand how a child learns best
• Understand why a child may have behavior problems
• Help a child deal with thinking or behavior problems
• Identify neurological or psychiatric problems
• Help match expectations to a child’s specific strengths and challenges
• Work with other doctors and teachers to develop the best treatment and school plan for a child

A neuropsychological evaluation may help if your child has:

• A neurological disorder such as spina bifida, hydrocephalus, cerebral palsy, epilepsy (seizures), neurofibromatosis, tuberous sclerosis, or a brain tumor.
• A brain injury from a trauma to the head, stroke, lack of oxygen, or an infection.
• Other medical problems such as prematurity, diabetes, chronic heart or breathing problems, certain genetic disorders, or treatment for childhood cancer.
• Been exposed to lead, street drugs, or inhalants (carbon monoxide).
• Been exposed to alcohol, smoking, or certain drugs prior to birth.
• A developmental or school problem, such as a learning disability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or autism spectrum disorder/pervasive developmental disorder.
• Had an evaluation by a psychologist or the school, but the treatment following that evaluation has not helped.

Your physician may recommend a neuropsychological assessment to:

• Help make or confirm a diagnosis.
• Get a record of your child’s functioning before treatment with medicine or surgery.
• Record changes in your child after a medical treatment and testing can be repeated to see if the treatment changed your child’s functioning.
• Monitor your child’s development and expectations, allowing interventions to meet your child's needs.

A neuropsychological evaluation involves examining thinking, behavior, and social-emotional functioning. The evaluation uses standardized tests and procedures. Tests may be performed using paper and pencil or on the computer. Your child will be asked many questions and to solve different types of problems.

Dr. Miller will work directly with your child and review your child’s medical and school records to help understand how the test results relate to daily life. He will also speak to you, teachers and other doctors. 

Neuropsychological evaluations typically include tests that measure the following:

• Intelligence (IQ)
• Problem solving
• Planning and organization
• Attention and memory
• Processing speed
• Language
• Academic skills
• Visual perception
• Perceptual-Motor functioning
• Depression and anxiety
• Aggression and impulsive behavior
• Social skills

Pediatric neuropsychologists and school psychologists often use some of the same tests. However, school evaluations focus on deciding if a child has a problem with academic skills such as reading, spelling, or math.

Pediatric neuropsychologists focus on understanding why a child is having problems in school or at home. This is done by examining academic skills but also examining all of the skills needed to perform well in and outside of school. Because neuropsychologists have training in clinical psychology, they are also able to diagnose emotional and behavioral problems like ADHD, depression and anxiety.

Understanding a child’s specific thinking strengths and challenges helps to better focus school plans and medical treatment and understand potential areas of future difficulty.