What They Are

A pediatric neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment designed to understand how brain development affects cognition, learning, behavior, emotions, and daily functioning. These evaluations help identify strengths and weaknesses, clarify diagnoses, and guide practical recommendations to help children reach their fullest potential. A neuropsychological evaluation is not treatment. Instead, it provides a clear roadmap that helps with referrals, educational planning, and suggestions for evidence-based intervention.

Step 1 – Free Phone Consultation

We offer a free 15-minute consultation to determine if a neuropsychological evaluation at Westside Neuropsychology is appropriate. Please feel free to call our office or schedule a specific time. During our conversation, we briefly review primary concerns and identify any other resources, supports, or treatments that may be more suitable for the best care. When the assessment is determined to be appropriate, a virtual intake will be scheduled if it is feasible for your family. You may be asked to first obtain a referral from your child’s primary care physician or other treating provider when it is required by your insurance plan (i.e., typically HMO plans). To get started, please call or request a free consultation through our patient portal.

Step 2 – Complete Paperwork

Before the evaluation begins, you will be asked to complete consent and intake paperwork. The intake form includes background information about your child’s development, medical history, education, behavior, emotions, family structure, and current concerns. The purpose of this paperwork is to help guide test selection, clarify the referral question, and ensure the evaluation is individualized.

Step 3 – Virtual Interview

In most cases, a virtual interview is scheduled before the in-person appointment. The interview must be conducted with both the parent/guardian and child. Your child must be present. This meeting clarifies information obtained from the initial paperwork and helps plan for the in-person evaluation. Intentional observations during the virtual interview can help us prepare for your child’s communication style, social interactions, behavior regulation, attention, and effort. A few of your child’s favorite things can also be obtained in advance to help them feel at ease and engaged during their office visit. Rating forms may be requested from the parent/caregiver, teachers, or other treating providers based on information obtained during the interview.

Step 4 – Get Ready Weeks Before Your Visit

To help your child feel ready for the evaluation, keep the explanation of the appointment simple and positive. It is helpful to describe the appointment as a day of activities that involves problem solving and answering questions, rather than as “tests.” Emphasize that some things may be easy and some things may be hard, but it is important that they try their best. The appointments do not involve shots, x-rays, lab work, or other invasive procedures. In some cases, social stories or other visual aids might be sent beforehand to help your child feel as comfortable as possible. Start requesting any relevant records or past assessments to bring.

Step 5 – Get Ready the Night Before & Day of

To further support optimal performance, your child should (1) get a full night of sleep (see CDC Guidelines, for recommended hours of sleep), (2) eat a good breakfast, (3) take prescribed medications as directed (unless otherwise discussed), and (4) wear comfortable clothing. If applicable, it is important to bring glasses, hearing aids, other assistive devices, and relevant records, such as medical, educational (e.g., IEP, 504 Plan, report cards), or prior evaluation reports (e.g., psychoeducational, speech and language, neuropsychological, etc.).

Step 6 – Office Visit

If the interview is completed virtually, your child will jump right into the evaluation. This process can take 3-6 hours and parents/guardians must be onsite throughout the evaluation. The appointment will include a 1-hour lunch break (if testing extends beyond the morning) as well as additional brief breaks as needed. In most cases, parents are not present in the testing room (usually for children ages 3 and up). This is because neuropsychological assessments must be conducted under standardized conditions. When parents are in the room, it can influence performance, even unintentionally. During testing, your child will complete a series of structured tasks designed to assess their thinking skills, learning, behaviors, and emotions. These activities may involve the use of iPads, computers, paper-and-pencil, blocks, and puzzles. Dr. Johnson will go over the results on the same day. Although she reviews the results throughout the day, she usually requires 10-15 minutes after the assessment to pull everything together before providing a targeted overview of the findings and recommendations.

Step 7 – Written Report

Families will receive a written report that summarizes background history, test findings, behavioral observations, impressions, recommendations, and (when appropriate) a diagnosis. A diagnosis is simply a name that helps explain a pattern of findings that tend to go together and can help understand why certain challenges are happening. A diagnosis acts as a roadmap rather than a label. If you are trying to get somewhere and do not know your starting point, it is difficult to plan the best route. The overall purpose of the report is to translate data into meaningful and actionable next steps, such as accommodations and interventions. The report will be mailed to families and faxed to the primary care physician and referring provider. Check out my blog on The Anatomy of the Neuropsychological Report for more information on my style and approach to report writing.

Step 8 – Follow-Up

Support does not end once the evaluation is complete. Families are welcome to reach out with questions as they begin implementing the recommendations. In some cases, follow-up testing may be suggested in approximately one year or less frequently over time. This will help monitor progress, clarify development, or update recommendations as your child matures. Because children’s brains continue to develop, a re-evaluation can help ensure supports remain appropriate and effective. However, a repeat appointment is not always necessary.