Neuropsychological Evaluation Services

Neuropsychological evaluations are comprehensive assessments that use norm-referenced objective tests to evaluate cognitive and behavioral functions. They assess intelligence, attention, executive functioning, academic skills development, memory, language, processing, reasoning and problem-solving, social communication, and emotional functioning.

These evaluations, administered by licensed neuropsychologists, can diagnose a range of conditions, including learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders. The results of neuropsychological evaluations can provide clear diagnostic impressions, inform intervention and treatment decisions, provide needed academic accommodations, and help children achieve their full potential by understanding their strengths and weaknesses.

What are the steps of a neuropsychological evaluation:

Step One: Complete paperwork and send in prior to intake

Step Two: Classroom observation (Recommended for young children and optional for older children)

Step Three: Virtual Parent Intake

Step Four: Two to Three testing sessions depending on child’s age and stamina

Step Five: Virtual Parent Feedback

Step Six: Student Feedback (Recommended)

Step Seven: School Evaluation Review Meeting (Optional)

A neuropsychological evaluation is the most comprehensive, whole-child evaluation that lets you understand your child’s full profile. Results can show whether or not a child has one condition, multiple or comorbid conditions, or if one underlying area of weakness is actually observed as something else in day-to-day life.

Neuropsych evaluations are completed by licensed clinicians with doctoral degrees and expertise, typically outside of a school setting. They assess the different skill sets managed by the brain. The assessment areas include intelligence, language skills, visual-spatial and visual motor skills, processing speed, working memory, memory, attention and executive functioning, learning and emotional health. Classroom observations are also sometimes conducted and are especially recommended for young children. Results will indicate whether or not a child meets the criteria for an ICD-10 or DSM-5 diagnosis, and in any case, will also provide specific recommendations for intervention, treatments, or accommodations needed in or outside of school.

A psychoeducational evaluation is often provided through the Department of Education by a masters-level clinician or a team of masters-level providers. The areas of psychoeducational evaluation often include intelligence testing and learning assessment. Classroom observations are also usually conducted.

Additional assessments can be recommended and often completed by different specialists, such as a speech and language evaluation or occupational therapy evaluation. In the public school setting, evaluations resulting in one of 12 IDEA classifications can help a child receive an Individualized Education Plan (IEP). If a child does not require a special class placement or related service, a 504 Plan can be recommended for extended time on exams.

IDEA classifications are different than ICD-10 or DSM-5 diagnoses, which are given in a neuropsychological evaluation and more clearly provide clinical understanding and specific recommendations for in and outside of school. Families can receive a psychoeducational evaluation privately as well.

It is important to know the differences in what is included in the different types of evaluations, especially if you are interested in learning about whether or not your child meets the criteria for a clinical diagnosis and if they require accommodations in and/or outside of the school setting. Children in private school settings can have an Individualized Education Service Plan (IESP) and 504 Plans through the Department of Education in NYC.

A neuropsychological evaluation is very helpful when there are concerns about a child’s skills development in relation to what is expected for their age and grade level or in relation to a peer group. It can provide insight into the reasons behind your child's struggles and guide your next steps.

Real-world questions are often related to difficulties with learning. Some kids are struggling to keep up in class, recall information, get good marks on exams, perform under timed conditions, manage time and assignments, work effectively independently, and improve reading comprehension. There are also kids who have trouble processing information. They can be feeling overwhelmed with homework or social demands, motivation, and school placement.

Such observations can push parents to ask questions like, “Does my child have a learning disability?”, “Does my child have ADHD?”, “Why is my child performing poorly on tests but they study so hard?”, “Is my child anxious?”, and “How can I help my child.”

As neuropsych tests evaluate cognitive abilities, language skills development, emotional well-being, and more, they offer parents and teachers a whole-child approach to conceptualization and intervention planning.

During the testing, your child will complete a variety of tasks that are designed to identify their strengths and weaknesses and reveal any clinical-level concerns.

First, parents complete a one-hour intake. The clinician will review your completed paperwork to learn about your reason for referral and your child’s history. A series of questions and conversations regarding developmental, medical, school, social, emotional, and behavioral histories will be covered. This will help the clinician to learn more about your child and inform the best combination of tests to use.

Next, your child will complete testing sessions, typically two or three sessions, depending on their age and stamina. They will complete a variety of cognitive, language, visual-spatial and visual motor, memory, working memory, processing speed, attention, executive functioning, and academic tests. Questionnaires are also included for parents, children, and teachers when consent is provided. Classroom observations are recommended for younger children and optional for older children.

Students often feel the testing is enjoyable and interesting. They will experience traditional academic tests, memory games, drawings, pattern completion, question and answer, responses to picture prompts, and independent work or tasks. Some tasks are timed, whereas others are untimed.

Finally, you will receive a comprehensive one-hour parent feedback meeting to review all results. You will hear about the conceptualization of your child and learn about your child’s strengths along with any clinical diagnoses and concerns. You will receive specific recommendations for accommodations, interventions, and treatments in and outside of school, as well as guidance on the next steps.

We often complete evaluation review meetings with school staff teams, with parent consent. Students receive personalized feedback from evaluators on strengths, challenges, and recommended supports.

Parents often want to know what to tell their children about why they are coming to Milestones. This answer often differs by age and whether or not your child has voiced difficulties or curiosity about their learning, attention, and emotional life. With younger children, parents can tell their children they will meet a different type of doctor who is like a teacher and will do a lot of activities. Some activities are like school, but a lot of activities are different, like puzzles, games, memory, and questions. You can tell your child that this will help you better understand his or her learning style and needs in or outside of school to continue to promote success.

Preparing older kids for the evaluation tends to be easy because they often like to know what a professional can learn about and tell them about them. You can tell your older kids that the evaluation will assess their learning style and provide recommendations on how to study, what interventions or treatments would be helpful, and how their school and/or parents can best understand them.

A neuropsychological evaluation is beneficial for kids and their parents. Parents will feel like they are being heard and that their questions are finally getting answered. The clear results and recommendations that target your child’s profile can provide you relief and hope.

At Milestones, we often collaborate with other providers and teachers when you provide consent. We interview other professionals who know the child well, send questionnaires, and integrate these findings along with our objective data results and our own observations. You will receive a detailed report that clearly communicates your child’s neuropsychological profile with recommendations, accommodations, and interventions listed.

Milestones does not work with insurance. We are an out-of-network practice and can provide superbills that you can submit for your out-of-network benefits.