Pediatric Neuropsychological Evaluation

The evaluation process begins with an initial consultation between Dr. Cohen and the parents or young adult being evaluated. During this one hour meeting, we discuss background information, review medical and educational records, and explore presenting concerns. Parents and teachers will be asked to complete questionnaires detailing everyday functioning. Dr. Cohen will use this information to discuss her initial impressions and suggest a plan for evaluation.

A pediatric neuropsychological evaluation includes an assessment of all major areas of functioning including intellectual development, attention, executive functioning, learning & memory, motor skills, visual perception, language development, and social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. Dr. Cohen also performs an in-depth assessment of academic skills during the evaluation when needed.

​What kind of problems require pediatric neuropsychological assessment ?  Children and young adults with medical disorders that affect neurological development or functioning will typically benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation. This includes seizures, traumatic brain injury,  Autism Spectrum Disorder, genetic disorders, brain tumor, very premature birth, and other conditions affecting the brain. Individuals who are struggling with learning and achieving educational success can also benefit from the in-depth assessment and cognitive skill profiling of neuropsychological testing. 

Childhood disorders result in different profiles of strengths and weaknesses.  Comprehensive testing can help identify a child's disorder and the areas of the brain involved. For example, testing can differentiate between causes of a language problem such as speech sound production, Autism Spectrum Disorder, shyness, developmental delay, or difficulty understanding or communicating using language. Dr. Cohen may collaborate with your physician when appropriate to combine the results with medical testing to help diagnose your child's problem.

Do you accept insurance for a Pediatric Neuropsychological Evaluation? Dr. Cohen is an out-of-network provider. That means that clients are responsible for the full fee for Dr. Cohen's services. If you have out-of-network benefits with your insurance company you may be able to re-coup some of the evaluation cost after the fact. Working outside of insurance networks allows Dr. Cohen to use her full discretion when planning your child's care. 

How are the evaluation results shared with me?  Dr. Cohen schedules a feedback appointment for approximately three weeks after testing during which she explains the results in thorough and clear terms to parents.  It is a priority that parents leave the feedback session with a solid understanding of why their child is experiencing problems, the child's strengths, and a plan for moving forward with treatment. Dr. Cohen provides a comprehensive written report detailing the findings, diagnosis, and recommendations at the feedback appointment. This report is ready for you to take home at the feedback session to share with the school and medical providers in a timely matter. Reports are designed to be particularly useful for schools in their educational planning process and draw from Dr. Cohen's experience working in and consulting to schools.