neuropsychological evaluations: an integral part of your child’s success lisa g. hahn, ph.d., abpp...
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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 Avenue
Suite 200
Morristown, New Jersey 07960
973-267-5646
www.npanj.com