What is Pediatric Neuropsychology?

Pediatric Neuropsychology is a professional specialty concerned with learning and behavior in the context of the developing child. Dr. Kirk conducts evaluations with children and adolescents who have suspected learning, behavioral, and/or emotional difficulties. Through formal testing of functional skills, such as memory and attention, Dr. Kirk will measure your child's brain functions. The neuropsychological evaluation typically involves a clinical interview, paper/pencil question and answer tests, computer tests, and behavioral rating forms which are completed by parents and teachers. The results of the evaluation will be used to identify specific areas of concern and address how to most effectively treat those concerns.

What will be assessed during the evaluation?

• General Cognitive Skills (Intelligence)
• Academic Achievement (Reading, Writing, and Arithmetic)
• Executive Functions (i.e., planning/organization, impulsivity, problem solving, flexibility in thinking)
• Attention and Concentration
• Learning and Memory (Short-Term and Long-Term Memory for auditory and visual information)
• Language and Communication Skills
• Visual-Spatial Skills
• Motor Coordination
• Behavioral and Emotional Functioning

Who Will Benefit from these Services?

• Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults, with suspected:
  • Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Learning Disorders (LD), Dyslexia
  • Pervasive Developmental Disorders (Autism, Asperger’s Disorder)
  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
  • Sports-Related Concussions
  • Seizure Disorders
  • Tourette's Disorder
  • Mental Retardation
  • Developmental Delays
  • Speech/Language Disorders
  • Spina Bifida
  • Depression/Anxiety
  • Bipolar Disorder
  • Various Genetic Disorders (i.e., Fragile X Syndrome, Velocardiofacial Syndrome VCFS, Turner Syndrome, Neurofibromatosis)
  • Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD)

How is this evaluation different from a School Psychological Evaluation?

Public schools are limited in their resources and often only briefly assess intelligence, academics, and sometimes behavior through parent and teacher rating forms. The goal of a school psychological evaluation is to identify eligibility for special education services, while a neuropsychological evaluation can identify your child's problems in the context of a suspected diagnosis and identify your child's relative strengths and weaknesses. School psychologists often do not have specialized training in evaluating children who have specific neurodevelopmental needs.