• What is a neurodevelopmental assessment?
Our assessment aims to determine a student’s profile of neurodevelopmental functions and academic skills. These functions are the basic brain processes that affect learning: attention, memory, language, spatial ordering, sequencing, higher order thinking, social thinking, and neuromotor skills. Understanding a neurodevelopmental profile helps reveal why a student is struggling in school. Your child’s individualized, comprehensive learning plan is based on his or her unique profile.

• How might this assessment differ from other testing my child may have had?
Our model is interdisciplinary, which means that multiple clinicians assess the child individually and integrate their findings as a team to provide a comprehensive profile of a child’s strengths and weaknesses that is directly linked to academic performance. Our assessment is not limited to standardized batteries, but can be individualized to identify your child’s specific needs. The process is dynamic and highly interactive. Most students enjoy this experience.

• What will our day be like? How long does it take?
Your child will meet with each clinician separately: learning specialist and neurodevelopmentalist (or neurodevelopmental team, which could consist of a psychologist and pediatrician). Each child’s medical history and neurological status is reviewed by an experienced, board certified pediatrician. Breaks and snacks are provided. Parents view the assessment from a separate room. Following the assessment, the team conferences while you go to lunch. When you return, the learning specialist meets with you for a demystification, a summary of neurodevelopmental findings that affect learning. A typical day begins between 8:30-9:00 am and ends by 4:00 pm.

• Should my child take prescribed medication? What if we have medical concerns?
If your child typically takes medication on school days, he/she should do so for this assessment, in order to evaluate representative performance. If you have questions about the effectiveness of medication (e.g., stimulant), do not administer it in the morning, but be sure to bring it with you. If your child wears glasses, make sure you bring them! The pediatrician will meet with you to review any medical issues that are relevant to learning.

• What kind of report will we receive? Can we use the report to get school services?
A detailed report includes relevant background information, summary of medical and neurological examinations, the neurodevelopmental assessment, the educational assessment of academic concerns, a learning profile, and a learning plan that includes specific recommendations for home and school. It is sent within 4-6 weeks of the visit. Because of the dynamic nature of our assessment, we do not routinely provide standard scores (e.g., I.Q. or achievement) or diagnostic labels. If you have specific concerns about eligibility for school services or accommodations for standardized tests, please discuss them with us prior to the scheduled assessment. While we can advise you about specialized services, we cannot mandate that a school use our report. Typically, parents share the learning plan with teachers, most of whom are receptive to specific recommendations. We have an attorney on staff with expertise in education law, who can help us work with you to assist with implementation of our recommendations.

• Is this type of evaluation appropriate for all children?
Because we focus on building academic skills, our assessments may not be optimal for children with more severe cognitive or emotional difficulties. If you are not sure if we are the right place for you and your child, please discuss this with us prior to scheduling an assessment.