Considering Neuropsychological Testing? Here are 3 reasons testing might help.
The decision to pursue neuropsychological testing for your child, teenager, or young adult is not always an easy one. It can be a lengthy, expensive, and demanding process. Not to mention, you might have pursued multiple other evaluations and interventions, but your high hopes for “an answer” and substantive change were met with vague, incomplete, and ineffective remedies.
What makes neuropsychological testing different? This type of assessment provides a comprehensive and detailed analysis of a young person’s thinking, learning, behavior, and emotions, and distills this information into a practical “road map.” While neuropsychological testing isn’t right for every individual and every situation, there are several indicators that an evaluation would offer high value to your family. Here are three key ones:
1. Diagnostic clarity
Probably the most common reason parents and young adults pursue neuropsychological testing is to determine their child’s or their own diagnoses. And if you are seeking clarification of your child’s diagnoses, an evaluation might achieve this end. That said, perhaps more valuable than diagnoses, neuropsychological testing provides a profile of a young person’s thinking and academic skills and offers data-driven, evidence-based recommendations to address your child’s challenges.
2. You have unanswered questions
The first question I always ask families is, “What unanswered questions do you have about your child, teen, or young adult? What would you like to know about your child?” Not all of life’s grand questions can be answered by neuropsychological testing, but understanding your questions gives an evaluator a good idea of the value an evaluation will have for you and your child, teen, or young adult. We recommend asking your psychologist/neuropsychologist if your questions can be answered by this type of evaluation.
3. Something “feels off”
Maybe you’re not sure what it is. Maybe your child’s teachers don’t “see” what you “see.” Maybe you – now a young adult – have sensed “something” wrong for a while, but everyone else said you were “fine.” If you have a feeling that something is not quite right, neuropsychological testing may help detect a problem that you can’t put your finger on. At the very least, an evaluation can rule-out several potential concerns.
When thinking through this decision, something to keep in mind is that neuropsychological testing is an informational tool that can help you carve out the path ahead. If you are unsure of what services, accommodations, interventions, or treatments to try next, starting with a broad assessment may help you narrow down your options.
Unsure if neuropsychological testing is right for you or your child? Reach out to us at hello@mindchicago.com.
Authored by Mind Chicago neuropsychologist, Dr. David Meyerson.
