Neuropsychological and Neurodevelopmental Evaluations
An evaluation is recommended for children who have or are suspected to have the following:
- ADHD
- Learning Disability
- Developmental Delay
- Neurodevelopmental Disorder
- Autistic Spectrum Disorders; PDD, Asperger’s Disorder
- Epilepsy
- Brain Tumors (pre and post-surgical testing)
- Brain Injury
- Birth Complications
- Genetic Disorder
The determination of which evaluation is appropriate for your child is dependent on the child’s age at testing. The Neuropsychological or Neurodevelopmental evaluation includes the following:
1. Intake session: Dr. Marnee meets with each family to get a better understanding of the current concerns, the child’s history, the family, and complete necessary paperwork to begin the evaluative process.
2. Observation Session: Dr. Marnee will go to your child’s school, daycare center, or other setting to complete a behavior observation session. This hour-long observation will include conversations with teachers, head of school or department, and any additional educators who knows your child well.
3. Testing sessions: Each assessment tool is specifically selected to best match the child and referral question. Areas assessed in an evaluation include:
Intellectual Functioning:(IQ)
measuring verbal and non-verbal skills, cognitive ability, and processing speed.
Achievement:
evaluating reading, mathematics, written language, and oral language skills.
Memory and Learning Abilities:
how information, verbal and non-verbal, is encoded, stored, and retrieved.
Receptive and Expressive Language:
the ability to understand and share information.
Visuo-Motor, Fine-motor, and Visual Spatial skills:
object manipulation, motor control, paper and pencil skills.
Organizational Skills:
creating a work plan, keeping track of tasks and materials, taking directions.
Attention Skills:
the ability to ability to maintain focus until task completion for visual, auditory, and sustained attention.
Emotional/Behavioral Assessment:
self-concept, coping skills, relationships with peers and family.
4. Following each testing session, Dr. Marnee will provide verbal feedback of the progress made during testing.
5. A comprehensive evaluation includes interviews, observations, collaboration with physicians, and partnerships with schools.
6. Every family is provided with a written report, with interpretations of results, diagnoses, and action plan, which is presented during the feedback session.
Follow up with other professionals, as well as schools is an essential part of implementation of an action plan.
When coming for an evaluation, approximately 2- 1 1/2 hour appointments should be allotted. At times there are more than 2 sessions that last less than 1 1/2 hours due to the individual child’s needs and their age.
While all of the time may not be needed, Dr. Marnee will make sure your child has an opportunity to use the rest room or take a break if needed. For best performance your child should be well-rested and had breakfast or a snack.
Gifted Testing
The purpose of gifted testing is to determine if the criteria is met for Special Education services in the public school setting. Children who meet the criteria often require an educational setting that is more academically challenging.
The gifted evaluation includes the following:
1. A brief information sheet completed by the parent.
2. Intelligence Test (IQ).
3. Verbal feedback of the results will take place within 24 hours of testing.
4. A written report is provided within two weeks.
In addition to identifying whether or not your child meets the criteria for the school system, the report will also provide insight into found strengths and weaknesses which the child may have.
When coming for a gifted evaluation appointment, approximately 1½ hours should be allotted. While all of the time may not be needed, Dr. Marnee will make sure your child has an opportunity to use the rest room or take a break if needed. For best performance your child should be well-rested and has had breakfast or a snack.