A neuropsychological assessment describes a child’s functioning from the perspective of brain development and function. Our brains control our thinking, behaviour, and emotions; problems in any of these areas may be related to disruptions in brain development or function. Children whose brains are developing or functioning differently may require specialized support and/or adaptations in their environment to maximize their development. A neuropsychological assessment can identify a child’s profile of strengths and weaknesses, its relationship to brain development and function, and assist in the development of supports and interventions to help a child realize his or her full potential.
When does a child need a neuropsychological assessment?
A neuropsychological assessment is often useful when there has been an illness or injury that may have influenced brain development or function (e.g., premature birth or birth trauma, seizures, neurological illness, head trauma/brain injury, exposure to toxins, etc). It is also useful when a child presents with a complex constellation of cognitive and/or behavioural problems that are difficult to understand or diagnose and for whom the unique perspective of a neuropsychologist may be beneficial.
What does a neuropsychological assessment involve?
A neuropsychological assessment involves three components:
(1) The collection of detailed descriptions of the child’s functioning in daily life from parents and teachers and careful review of the child’s history to identify possible contributors to his or her current challenges.
(2) The evaluation of multiple domains of function, including intelligence, attention, executive functions, language and visual processing, learning and memory, sensorimotor skills, academic achievement, social-emotional and behavioural functioning. The assessment involves the administration of standardized tests and careful observation of the child during the assessment.
(3) Through careful analysis of all the information gathered, Dr. Akdag can describe a child’s neuropsychological profile, which includes discussion of the child’s strengths and weaknesses and the implications of the child’s profile for development, learning, and daily functioning. She will also discuss the findings within the context of the child’s relevant history and identify possible contributors (including brain-based contributors) to the child’s current challenges. Most importantly, she will provide detailed recommendations on how to support the child’s maximal development within the context of the identified neuropsychological profile. Dr. Akdag communicates results and recommendations from her assessments through a family feedback session and detailed written report.
