Neuropsychology is a medical specialty that deals with learning, behavior and how the brain works. Neuropsychological testing is often referred to determine a baseline of functioning, understand a child’s strengths and weaknesses, identify functional locations in the brain and guide decisions about treatment and educational planning.
Our neuropsychologists have completed extensive training, including a postdoctoral fellowship. They are specialized in neuropsychological assessment, the practical implications of neuropsychological conditions in children and adolescents, brain-behavior relationships and intervention techniques. They work in collaboration with specialists from neurology, neurosurgery, cardiology, hematology & oncology, genetics and other subspecialties
Many children and young adults with medical conditions can benefit from the expertise of a pediatric neuropsychologist. Some conditions and syndromes we work with include:
A complete neuropsychological evaluation will generally take four to eight hours. The length depends on the referral question, the complexity of issues and the child’s presentation (e.g., fatigue, slow processing speed, behaviors, etc.). The evaluation usually occurs in one to two days; however, it is occasionally necessary to complete the evaluation over the course of multiple sessions. The evaluation involves three parts:
It is important that you give a detailed history. We will ask about your child’s medical history as well as how your child performs at school and home.
This part of the evaluation is conducted one-on-one with your child and the examiner. The skills we assess include intelligence, academic ability, language, memory, visual-spatial skills, attention, social and behavioral functioning and executive functions (e.g., planning, organization, mental manipulation, and problem solving).
Most tests are administered at a table and a few are completed on a computer. Children are asked questions, look at pictures, and use their hands to solve problems (e.g., building blocks). Your child should be reassured that there will be no shots, needles, or pokes. The tests will be performed by either a doctoral level neuropsychologist or bachelor’s level psychometrist with specialized training in standardized test administration.
Your child’s results will be compared with other children of the same age. After we learn about your child’s functional skills, we can make a plan to address issues. You will be given verbal feedback as well as a written copy of the results.
Neuropsychology ni taaluma ya matibabu inayohusika na kujifunza, tabia na jinsi ubongo unavyofanya kazi. Uchunguzi wa neuropsychological mara nyingi huitwa kuamua msingi wa utendaji, kuelewa nguvu na udhaifu wa mtoto, kutambua maeneo ya kazi katika ubongo na kuongoza maamuzi kuhusu matibabu na mipango ya elimu. Wataalamu wetu wa kisaikolojia wamekamilisha mafunzo ya kina, kutia ndani ushirika wa baada ya udaktari. Wao ni maalumu katika tathmini neuropsychological, athari za vitendo ya hali neuropsychological katika watoto na vijana, uhusiano ubongo-tendo na mbinu za uingiliaji. Wanafanya kazi kwa kushirikiana na wataalamu kutoka neurology, neurosurgery, cardiology, hematology na oncology, genetics na subspecialties nyingine Watoto wengi na vijana wenye hali za matibabu wanaweza kufaidika na utaalam wa neuropsychologist wa watoto. Kwa kawaida, uchunguzi wa neuropsychological huchukua masaa manne hadi manane. Urefu hutegemea swali la rufaa, utata wa masuala na uwasilishaji wa mtoto (kwa mfano, uchovu, kasi ya usindikaji wa polepole, tabia, nk). Tathmini ya kawaida hufanyika katika siku moja hadi mbili; hata hivyo, ni mara kwa mara muhimu kukamilisha tathmini katika mwendo wa vikao vingi. Tathmini hiyo inahusisha sehemu tatu: Ni muhimu kwamba utoe historia ya kina. Unaweza kuuliza kuhusu historia ya matibabu ya mtoto wako na jinsi anavyofanya kazi nyumbani na shuleni. Sehemu hii ya tathmini hufanywa moja-kwa-moja na mtoto wako na mtihani. Ujuzi wa kiakili, uwezo wa kitaaluma, lugha, kumbukumbu, ujuzi wa kuona na nafasi, tahadhari, utendaji wa kijamii na tabia na kazi za mtendaji (kwa mfano, mipango, shirika, udhibiti wa akili, na kutatua matatizo). Majaribio mengi hufanywa kwenye meza na machache hufanywa kwenye kompyuta. Watoto huulizwa maswali, huangalia picha, na kutumia mikono yao kutatua matatizo (kwa mfano, kujenga vitalu). Mtoto wako anapaswa kuaminiwa kwamba hakutakuwa na sindano, sindano, au vidonda. Vipimo itafanywa na ama daktari ngazi neuropsychologist au shahada ya ngazi psychometrist na mafunzo maalumu katika utawala wa mtihani standardized. Matokeo ya mtoto wako yatalinganishwa na ya watoto wengine wa umri uleule. Baada ya kujifunza juu ya ujuzi wa kazi ya mtoto wako, tunaweza kufanya mpango wa kushughulikia masuala. Utapewa maoni ya mdomo na pia nakala ya maandishi ya matokeo.