| Are you the parent of a child with autism who is | | | | and related services a child needs, in order to |
| far behind their grade appropriate peers and you | | | | make progress in their education. |
| wonder why? Are you the parent of a child with | | | | 4. To document a child's brain related strengths |
| a learning disability who has received special | | | | and weaknesses. |
| education services for many years, with little to | | | | 5. To document changes in the child's functioning |
| no progress? Or are you concerned that your | | | | over time. |
| child may have dyslexia or other undiagnosed | | | | Many parents who bring their child to a |
| disabilities, and wonder if a neuropsychological | | | | neuropsychologist are doing so because their child |
| evaluation could help your child? An evaluation with | | | | is not making progress in their education, or the |
| a neuropsychologist could help diagnose why your | | | | parent needs to know what specific services that |
| child is not learning, and what educational and | | | | their child requires. When the testing is complete, |
| related services they need in order to progress in | | | | and the report is finished, many parents will then |
| their education. This article will discuss what a | | | | bring this to the school and ask them to provide |
| neuropsychologist is, the purpose of their | | | | needed services. |
| evaluations, and disabilities that they may diagnose | | | | Many parents seek neuropsychological evaluations |
| in your child. | | | | and treatment for these common conditions: |
| A neuropsychologist has much more training than | | | | 1. Autism spectrum disorder |
| a regular psychologist or a school psychologist. A | | | | 2. Pervasive Developmental Disorder-NOS |
| neuropsychologist must have a doctoral degree in | | | | 3. Dyslexia |
| psychology, as well as years of additional | | | | 4. ADD or ADHD |
| neuroscience training and experience. | | | | 5. Verbal and non verbal learning disabilities |
| The neuropsychology training involves training in | | | | 6. Sensory processing disorder |
| psychology, neurology, neuro psychiatry and | | | | 7. Central auditory processing disorder |
| health disciplines. To be competent in this area | | | | 8. Tourette's Syndrome |
| requires several years of additional training and | | | | It is frustrating that parents must pay for outside |
| experience beyond the doctoral degree required | | | | evaluations in order to get their child appropriate |
| for conventional practice. Some | | | | special education and related services, or to have |
| neuropsychologists are in private practice and | | | | the school district find them eligible for special |
| may only work with children. | | | | education. To find a Neuropsychologist in your |
| The purpose of an evaluation by a | | | | area contact a local disability organization and ask |
| neuropsychologist is: | | | | them if they are familiar with one who works |
| 1. To find possible problems with brain functioning. | | | | with children. Also, you can ask other parents if |
| 2. To determine if a child has any undiagnosed | | | | they know of any neuropsychologists that work |
| disabilities. These could be dyslexia or other | | | | with children. Remember that you not only want a |
| language based disorders, autism, Central Auditory | | | | neuropsychologist that can test your child, but |
| Processing Disorder (CAPD) etc. These disabilities | | | | you also want one that can give very specific |
| could explain why your child is having difficulty | | | | recommendations about what services that your |
| learning. | | | | child needs. Good luck in your efforts! |
| 3. To make a determination on what educational | | | | |