Referral Guide for Pediatric Neuropsychological Evaluations
We see patients with either a primary neurological condition, neurodevelopmental disorder, or medical condition/treatment affecting brain function or development. The following guidelines below are not meant to be exhaustive. If you have specific questions, please contact us at 616-287-4164. Fax the completed referral form and relevant medical records/notes to 616-419-8412. Your patient can also get started by requesting a free consultation through our patient portal.
Common Reasons for Referral:
- Impact of a condition on the brain
- Learning / memory concerns
- Attention problems
- Academic challenges
- Intellectual disability
- Deficits in nonverbal skills
- Follow-up evaluation
- Poor processing speed
- Executive dysfunction
- Poor adaptive skills
- Adult transition planning
- Neuropsychological risk
- Establish baseline
- Developmental delay
- Social problems
- Emotional symptoms
- Behavior problems
- Medication monitoring
- Presurgical evaluation
- Identification of suitable interventions
Common Conditions Served:
- Seizures / epilepsy
- Demyelinating diseases (e.g., MS, ADEM)
- Craniofacial anomalies
- Brain tumors
- Cancers
- Hydrocephalus
- Spina bifida
- Brain infection
- Brain malformation/abnormality
- Stroke
- Autoimmune disease
- Sickle cell disease
- TBI / concussion
- Oxygen deprivation/near drowning
- Metabolic disorders
- Congenital heart disease
- Exposure to toxins
- Prematurity/birth complications
- Genetic disorders/syndromes
- Movement disorders
- Neuromuscular disorders
- Cerebral palsy
- Infectious disease
- Neurocutaneous syndromes (TSC, NF)
Autism Evaluation:
Unfortunately, Westside Neuropsychology does not offer assessment for the sole purpose of diagnosing autism spectrum disorder. Although evidence of this might be determined secondary to the primary referral question, we recommend referring to facilities that are better equipped to meet the specific requirements of some insurance plans. For example, Michigan-based Medicaid plans often require an autism diagnosis through Community Mental Health. Likewise, some private plans (e.g., BCBS) require a diagnosis through a designated multidisciplinary Center of Excellence. Please see the links below for options that can be shared with your patients. This will help avoid unnecessary delays in your patient’s care.
Primary Psychiatric Concerns:
Patients presenting with an acute mental health crisis or primary psychiatric concern (e.g., schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, etc.) are more appropriate for evaluation and treatment through a mental health clinic or psychiatrist. However, we often evaluate patients with a brain-related or genetic diagnoses with comorbid psychiatric symptoms, which frequently co-occur in certain conditions (e.g., 22q11.2 deletion syndrome, TSC).