Neuropsychological testing (also called Medical Diagnostic Testing) focuses on assessment and diagnosis to identify the strengths and needs of both children and adults. We take a therapeutic assessment approach, meaning that we help individuals and families identify goals for testing, and collaborate to identify what they hope to learn about themselves or their children in the assessment process. Our hope is that, through testing, individuals can gain an understanding of themselves, their diagnosis, and their needs.
We know that testing and getting a diagnosis can be stressful for many families. Our team wants to make sure that families feel supported in the process, and we strive to present clear communication and feedback with resources and recommendations for the next steps.
The testing process begins with an intake session, conducted with our Neuropsychologists. During this session, they will ask questions about what led you to seek testing, concerns, and symptoms. They’ll work with you to determine goals for testing, such as wanting to clarify or update a diagnosis, explore learning styles or differences, look at the impact of anxiety, or help figure out what therapies and school accommodations are best for you or your child. She will also gather information about developmental history, medical/physical health needs, family history, and major stressors you or your child may be facing. All of this information will help to inform the testing process. We may also ask about sensory preferences or special interests and do our best to have some of these available to help build rapport and engagement in testing.
The next step is the one-on-one testing. During these 2–3-hour appointments, the client will be asked questions about themselves and complete “brain games,” puzzles, and other activities that will explore skills and symptoms discussed at the intake. Since these sessions can be long, we provide time for rest or play breaks. If your child is already attending Eyas Landing or Blue Bird Day, we can work with their treatment team to support transitions and building familiarity.
Parents will also be provided with forms to complete for testing. These forms will inquire about different behaviors and symptoms to help inform testing. If your child is in school, we may also request that teachers, coaches, or others familiar with your child complete similar forms. This helps us to get a well-rounded view of the child.
The final step of our testing process is a feedback session. At this time, we review the findings from the testing, discuss our impressions based on the information we obtained, discuss diagnosis, and explore recommendations. We work to provide education on diagnosis and individualized recommendations based on your unique profile.
You will receive a copy of your testing report at the time of this feedback. Sometimes questions come up after having time to sit with the report or after discussing it with teachers or other family members. We’re here to support the whole process, so we encourage you to reach out with questions or set up a follow up appointment.
Meeting with one of our neuropsychologists to complete an hour long intake. This involves going over the individual or parents’ concerns and providing an overview of the individual’s medical, social, school, and therapy history. This can be done virtually or in-person
Completing one to three in-person evaluation sessions. This includes the client participating in standardized assessments with the neuropsychologist in a private room. The number of sessions is dependent on age, where the younger clients participate in less sessions.
4-5 weeks after the intake meeting. The neuropsychologist will go over the information from the evaluation, including outlining strengths and areas of need.
The testing team at Blue Bird Day aims to help our clients and families better understand themselves and their children. By providing comprehensive assessments, we are able to outline not only diagnoses but strengths, needs, and recommendations for supports.
Many individuals come to testing seeking information about what can help themselves or their children at work, school, or other settings. Our testing team can provide recommendations for accommodations that can support their learning and are ready to work with schools to advocate for these supports.
For clients presenting with a known medical diagnosis, we can explore their developing skills and needs. Many of our clients at Blue Bird Day presenting with Down Syndrome, seizures, and other medical concerns have benefitted from neuropsychological testing to better understand their learning style, adaptive skills, development, and behavioral and emotional needs.
Some of the domains that we may explore during testing include the following.
Neuropsychological Testing gives a comprehensive look into how an individual is understanding and processing information. Neuropsych testing is beneficial for anyone looking to gain more information on why an individual is having difficulty in a specific area, and how the individual’s strengths can support learning. The child, parents, support staff, and teachers all benefit from a child receiving a neuropsychological test as the evaluation provides a thorough analysis of how the child’s processing is impacting learning, communication, and function.
Children and adults with a variety of needs and differences can benefit from neuropsychological testing. Many of our clients are not sure what they kinds of supports they need, but they know they are struggling in some aspect of their life, be it work, school, relationships, or managing their moods. Our integrative approach will work with each client to focus our testing to address their questions and concerns. Individuals with the following symptoms or struggles may benefit from neuropsychological testing.
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