Neuropsychological Evaluations

A neuropsychological evaluation assesses an individual’s brain-based functioning in the context of the presenting issues and each individual’s strengths and weaknesses. This comprehensive evaluation helps you better understand your child’s profile and their learning style to identify the appropriate recommendations and services. A full neuropsychological evaluation is quite comprehensive and generally requires 5-6 hours of face-to-face time with the individual.

Each neuropsychological evaluation is different. A neuropsychological evaluation can be tailored to address specific diagnostic questions such as ADHD or a learning disability, or to establish a developmental picture of a person’s functioning at that point in time in their lives. Input from family members and professionals, such as teachers and counselors are often incorporated into an evaluation.

If the referral question is straightforward, an evaluation may be shorter in duration. In each case a testing plan will be developed between Dr. Drayer and the family, based on the presenting concerns from the information gathered from the initial consultation. Other “focused” evaluations may include:

  • Transitional-focused: Dr. Drayer often works with individuals dealing with transitional issues such as transition into adulthood for young adults with more severe disabilities such as autism, developmental delays, or an intellectual disability. An evaluation in these cases can be valuable in determining your child’s needs in preparation for their transition.
  • College-focused: Dr. Drayer works with teens and young adults preparing to transition to college. An evaluation can serve to identify services that he or she can assess within a college continuity of clinical care.
  • ADHD Evaluations: When the referral question is mostly regarding ADHD and executive functioning, an abbreviated evaluation can be recommended, which commonly assesses an individual’s cognition, attention, executive functioning, and memory.
  • Giftedness-focused: Dr. Drayer is available to assess school-aged children for giftedness typically to identify appropriate educational services and/or school placement. Giftedness evaluations are often considered educational in nature and may be deemed “out of pocket” as insurance companies do not cover educational services.

Common Reasons for Seeking a Neuropsychological Evaluation:

  • Emotional/psychiatric issues (e.g., anxiety, mood issues, depression)
  • Attention issues and/or executive functioning challenges
  • Behavioral problems
  • Developmental concerns – speech and language, motor, or social delays
  • Social problems possibly associated with an autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
  • Learning disabilities
  • Physical health changes – brain injury, concussion, illness, etc.
  • Cognitive or intellectual disabilities, or concerns with adaptive functioning (e.g., daily living, socialization, functional skills)
  • Impairments associated with neurologic and medical conditions.

Common Assessed Diagnostic Categories (Find Additional Information on the Resources page – Click Here)

  • Language Based Learning Disability & Dyslexia
  • Specific Learning Disabilities
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder (formally also known as Pervasive Development Disorder and Asperger’s Syndrome)
  • Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD)
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD/ADD)
  • Communication and Language Disorders (Expressive/Receptive Language Disorders & Social Pragmatic Disorder)
  • Motor Coordination Disorders (.e.g., Dyspraxia, Dysgraphia)
  • Behavioral Disorders (Mood Dysregulation Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, & Conduct Disorder)
  • Intellectual Disabilities
  • Psychiatric Disorders (e.g., Mood Disorders, depression, anxiety)