Question 1

Why would my child need a neuropsychological evaluation?

Accepted Answer

A child may benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation when there are concerns about their thinking or processing, attention, learning, behavior, and/or social and emotional functioning. This type of assessment provides a comprehensive understanding of how your child’s brain is developing, their strengths and weaknesses, and how this impacts everyday skills and overall functioning.

Families often seek an evaluation when they notice:
 • Learning difficulties (struggling with reading, writing, or math)
 • Attention or focus concerns, including possible ADHD
 • Executive function difficulties (poor time management, planning and organizing, problem solving)
 • Behavioral or emotional challenges, such as anxiety, mood changes, or dysregulation
 • Social or communication difficulties, including possible autism
 • Developmental delays or questions about developmental progress
 • Changes after a medical event, such as a concussion, illness, seizure, or other neurological condition
 • A need to better understand their child’s strengths and weaknesses to guide school supports, therapies, and home strategies

A neuropsychological evaluation doesn’t just provide diagnoses—it offers a roadmap. You receive clear, individualized recommendations to support your child’s learning, emotional well-being, and day-to-day success at home and school.

Question 2

What is included in the evaluation process?

Accepted Answer

A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive process designed to understand how your child thinks, learns, and manages emotions and behavior. While each assessment is personalized, the process typically includes:

1. Parent Intake & Background Review
We begin by meeting with you to discuss concerns, developmental history, medical and educational background, and your goals for the evaluation. I also review any relevant records (IEPs, teacher notes, medical reports, prior testing).

2. Direct Testing With Your Child
Your child participates in one-on-one testing that may assess:
 • Cognitive abilities (thinking and reasoning)
 • Attention and executive functioning
 • Memory and learning
 • Language skills
 • Academic skills
 • Visual–spatial and motor abilities
 • Social-emotional and behavioral functioning
Testing is child-friendly, paced with breaks, and adapted to your child’s needs. This may take place in 1 to 2 sessions, with a total of 4 to 5 hours of testing.

3. Behavioral Observations
Throughout the evaluation, I observe how your child approaches tasks, problem-solves, manages frustration, and uses social or emotional skills.

4. Input From Parents, Teachers, and Providers 
Parent and teacher questionnaires are often included to understand how your child functions across settings. With parent consent, I also interview other involved providers such as therapists/psychologists, speech and language therapists or occupational therapists.

5. Scoring, Interpretation & Integration
All data are carefully scored and interpreted to create a full picture of your child’s strengths, challenges, and underlying patterns.

6. Comprehensive Report
You receive a detailed report that includes:
 • Results explained clearly
 • Diagnoses (if appropriate)
 • A strengths-based profile
 • Targeted, practical recommendations for home, school, and treatment

7. Feedback Session
We meet to walk through the results, answer questions, and create an actionable plan tailored to your child.

8. Attendance and advocacy at school meetings
I happily attend and advocate for your child’s academic needs at school meetings. Following a neuropsychological evaluation, if school accommodations and/or services are recommended, you may request a Committee on Special Education (CSE) meeting to discuss your child’s eligibility for accommodations and services through an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504. At this meeting, I will discuss your child’s learning profile, strengths and weaknesses, and academic recommendations.

Question 3

How should we prepare for the appointment?

Accepted Answer

Preparing for a neuropsychological evaluation is simple, and a little planning can help your child feel more comfortable and ready to do their best.

1. Make Sure Your Child is Rested
A good night’s sleep helps with focus, attention, and mood during testing.

2. Bring Snacks & Water
Testing can be long, and regular breaks with familiar snacks help keep energy steady.

3. Give Medications as Prescribed
If your child takes daily medications (including ADHD medications), give them as you normally would unless we discuss a different plan in advance.

4. Share Any Relevant Records
Please bring (or send ahead):
 • Report cards or progress reports
 • IEP/504 plans
 • Previous evaluations
 • Relevant medical records
These help me understand your child’s history and current support needs.

5. Talk With Your Child in a Low-Pressure Way
A simple, calm explanation works best:
“You’re going to do different activities to help us understand how you learn and how to support you. There will be breaks, and it’s okay if some things feel easy and some feel tricky.”

6. Dress Comfortably
Kids focus better when they're physically comfortable.

7. Allow Enough Time
Plan to arrive a few minutes early to settle in and reduce stress for both you and your child.

Question 4

Will this help with school support like IEPs or 504 plans?

Accepted Answer

Yes. A neuropsychological evaluation can be extremely helpful in obtaining or updating school-based supports. Because the assessment provides a detailed understanding of your child’s learning profile, it offers schools the information they need to determine appropriate services.

A comprehensive evaluation can:
 • Identify specific learning, attention, or social-emotional needs that may qualify a child for an IEP or 504 plan.
 • Provide objective data that schools use to make eligibility decisions.
 • Clarify diagnoses (such as ADHD, a learning disorder, or autism) that can guide support services.
 • Offer tailored recommendations for accommodations, interventions, and classroom strategies.
    • Accommodations may include extended time on tests or quizzes, testing in a separate room, preferential seating, access to fidgets, and more
    • Services may include work with a special education teacher, evidence-based reading instruction speech and language therapy, occupational therapy, and others
 • Strengthen your advocacy by giving you a clear picture of what your child needs to succeed academically and emotionally.

While schools make their own eligibility determinations, a neuropsychological evaluation equips you with the strongest possible foundation to request appropriate services and collaborate effectively with the school team.

Question 5

Do you provide a diagnosis?

Accepted Answer

Yes—when appropriate.

A neuropsychological evaluation is designed to understand the why behind your child’s challenges. If the results clearly indicate a clinical condition, I provide a diagnosis based on standardized testing, behavioral observations, and developmental history.

Common diagnoses that may arise from an evaluation include:
 • ADHD
 • Specific Learning Disorders (reading, writing, math)
 • Autism Spectrum Disorder
 • Anxiety or mood-related conditions
 • Developmental or cognitive delays
 • Executive functioning disorders

If a diagnosis is not warranted, I will explain why and still provide a detailed profile of your child’s strengths and needs, along with recommendations to support them at home and school.

My goal is always clarity—helping you understand your child fully so you can make informed decisions about interventions, school supports, and next steps.

Question 6

How long does the evaluation take?

Accepted Answer

The evaluation from start to finish, including parent intake, testing session(s), and feedback with the finalized report takes 2 to 3 weeks.

Question 7

When will we receive the results?

Accepted Answer

In the feedback meeting, approximately 2 to 3 weeks once the testing is completed.

Question 8

Is this covered by insurance?

Accepted Answer

No. However, I do provide superbills for out of network (OON) reimbursement when clients have such benefits. Clients with OON benefits are typically reimbursed up to 70%, which can be inquired and confirmed by calling your insurance company.

Question 9

What happens after the evaluation?

Accepted Answer

After the evaluation is complete, you’ll receive thorough, personalized support to help you understand the results and take meaningful next steps.

1. Scoring & Interpretation
I review and integrate all test data, relevant records (past testing, teacher reports, report cards etc), behavioral observations, interview information, and teacher/parent reports to create a complete picture of your child’s strengths and challenges.

2. Comprehensive Written Report
You’ll receive a detailed report that includes:
 • Test results explained clearly
 • Diagnoses, if appropriate
 • A strengths-based profile
 • Practical recommendations for school, home, and therapies
 • Guidance on supports like IEPs, 504 plans, or medical follow-up
This report serves as a roadmap for understanding and supporting your child moving forward.

3. Feedback Session
We meet to review all findings together. During this session, I:
 • Explain results in parent-friendly language
 • Answer all questions
 • Help you understand what the results mean for school and daily life
 • Discuss next steps and prioritize recommendations

4. Support in Implementing Recommendations
I guide you in using the recommendations—whether that means working with your child’s school team, starting services, or making adjustments at home.

5. Optional Follow-Up
You’re always welcome to reach out later with questions, updates, or requests for consultation as your child grows.

Groth Psychology & Wellness

Taylor Groth, PhD

Neuropsychological Evaluations

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