Neuropsychological Evaluations:

An Integral Part of Your Child’s Success

Lisa G. Hahn, Ph.D., ABPPBoard Certified Clinical

NeuropsychologistNeuropsychology Associates of

New JerseyMorristown, New Jersey

What is Neuropsychology?

• Clinical specialty in the neuroscience field

• Refers to the study of brain-behavior relationships

• Influenced by the following disciplines:Neurology Psychology Anatomy

What is a Clinical Neuropsychologist?

• Training Involves Doctoral training in psychology

Commonly clinical psychology or neuropsychology programs

Specialized coursework associated with brain-behavior relationships

Two-year Postdoctoral Fellowship

Additional training with specialized populations• Medical • Psychiatric

• Proficiency Expertise in how behavior and skills are related

to brain structures and systems

Clarify relationship between disease state and behavioral consequence

What is a Clinical Neuropsychologist?

What is a Clinical Neuropsychologist?• Role

Diagnose Psychological, Cognitive, Learning, and Emotional Conditions

Provide information to assist differential diagnosis of medical and psychological/psychiatric conditions

Identify cognitive problems associated with neurological or psychological conditions

Monitor progression or response to treatment

Develop treatment and intervention strategies

• Objective testing of skills that correlate with brain function using: Standardized psychometric instruments used

to evaluate multiple aspects of normal cognition

Objective assessment of emotional/psychological functioning

Integration of • objective test data • subjective input from parents • qualitative information from the

Neuropsychologist such a clinical observations

What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

What does the appointment entail?• It is typically a full day evaluation• The evaluation includes:

Clinical interview of the parents and child Review of medical, school, and previous testing

records, if available Neuropsychological testing of the child Completion of questionnaires that assess

behavioral, emotional and psychological functioning

Preliminary feedback of diagnostic findings and recommendations

• Feedback is provided after the report is received and reviewed

Who Refers to a Neuropsychologist?• Parents• General practitioners or pediatricians• Medical specialists (e.g., neurologists,

oncologists)• Psychologists, therapists or social workers• School Counselors• Child Study Teams• Attorneys or advocates

What are common referral questions posed to a Neuropsychologist?• General ability or rate of growth • Learning and memory• Academic achievement• Language acquisition• Social development• Fine motor development• Emotional development• Chronic or acute medical problems• Family issues• Attention and behavior

What is the Purpose of the Referral and Evaluation?• Clarification

To better understand the child’s neurobehavioral profile in the presence of an academic, social or emotional issue or medical condition.

• Prevention and MonitoringTo gain a baseline and follow-up evaluation

for future

• InterventionTo aid in developing a plan to assist

individuals with known or suspected cognitive or emotional problems

What are the domains assessed?• Intelligence• Attention• Academic

achievement • Executive function• Mood• Personality

• New Learning & Memory

• Speech• Language• Sensorimotor• Visual-spatial and

perceptual skills

What diagnoses are elucidated from a Neuropsychological Evaluation?• A neuropsychological evaluation can help

differentiate or confirm diagnoses such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder Executive Dysfunction Learning Disorders Learning/Memory Disorders Fine-Motor Disorders Depression Anxiety Bipolar Disorder Thought Disorders

What is a Psycho-Educational Evaluation?• This typically includes tests of

Intellectual Functioning Academic Achievement Parent self-report questionnaires

• It does not include comprehensive assessment of additional neurocognitive domains

• It does not include comprehensive assessment that can result in any diagnosis with the exception of Learning Disorder Developmental Disability (i.e., Mental

Retardation)

Why Not Have My District Complete a Psycho-Educational Evaluation?• By law District does not need to provide this

evaluation until your child is doing very poorly in school (i.e., there is a significant problem with their achievement) or their behavioral problems are clearly interfering with their learning

• For many children by this stage they have developed low self-esteem, feel inefficacious, are failing academically, and may even be negatively labeled by their teachers or peers

• The evaluation is very limited in scope, unlike a neuropsychological evaluation

The Common Question: Why So Much Testing?• The brain is a complex organ that

encompasses many neural networks and functional abilities

• It is important to conduct a broad based assessment

• When we leave no stone unturned then we can be more positive the diagnosis is accurate

The Final Result: An Integrative Report • Results of standardized testing are integrated

into a broader understanding of the individual’s neurobehavioral patternSummary of previous evaluations/treatmentsBehavioral observationsTest results Integrative summary of findings placed in the

context of medical, developmental and psychosocial history

Diagnostic formulationRecommendations for intervention and

remediation

Possible Recommendations

• Medical Consultation with another specialist

• Therapeutic Support Cognitive restructuring ADHD coach Psychological counseling or therapy

• Educational Special education services Classroom accommodations Advocacy Out of district placement Transition planning for after high school

Beyond the Final Product of the Report• My goal is always to advocate for the child’s best

interests• When a parent is working with an advocate or

attorney, I too become part of their team• I am available to participate in Child Study Team

meetings to help explain the neuropsychological evaluation findings

• I work as a liaison to assist the parents/family in finding appropriate community services or school placement

• I provide follow-up testing to assess efficacy of interventions (i.e., medication, academic programs, etc.)

How to contact me:

Neuropsychology Associates of New Jersey

Board Certified Clinical Neuropsychologists

250 Madison AvenueSuite 200

Morristown, New Jersey 07960973-267-5646

npanj.hahn@yahoo.comwww.npanj.com