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Who can
benefit from an evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation is appropriate for
individuals who are not meeting developmental milestones,
struggle academically, have behavioral difficulties, or
demonstrate social problems. Evaluations are helpful to
those who have a history (or suspected history) of
conditions/individual differences such as:
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Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
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Autism Spectrum Disorders
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Developmental Delay
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Developmental Dyslexia
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Dyscalculia (Math Disability)
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Epilepsy
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Giftedness
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Language-Based Learning Disorder
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Mental Retardation
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Mood and Anxiety Disorders
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Nonverbal Learning Disorder
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Social Skills Deficits
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Tic Disorder
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Traumatic Brain Injury
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Evaluations of young
children are appropriate to determine eligibility for early
intervention services. Similarly, as young children
transition from early intervention programs to school an
evaluation is critical to assess skills and determine the
need for intervention. Dr. Scalzo also evaluates young
adults as they transition to college and provides
appropriate recommendations needed to obtain services.
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What is a neuropsychological
evaluation?
The purpose of the
neuropsychological evaluation is to assess the
brain-behavior relationships that impact children’s
functioning in school and in their personal lives.
The process is a detailed procedure that aims to understand
the whole child, with a focus on accurate and comprehensive
data. The process typically unfolds as follows:
1.
Meeting the parent(s).
Following the initial phone consultation, an initial
interview is conducted in the office with the parent(s) of
the child.
2. Comprehensive
assessment of abilities.
Testing usually involves 8-10 hours of direct assessment
with the child. Areas assessed typically include:
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Intelligence
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Academic Achievement
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Memory and Learning
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Language
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Attention and
Executive Functions
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Visual Spatial Skills
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Motor Functions
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Emotional and
Behavioral Functions
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School observation and
communication with teachers and other relevant
professionals, is available and utilized where warranted and
desired.
3. Putting
the pieces together.
Based on the detailed information gathered, a profile of the
child’s strengths and weaknesses is created. From this
information, accurate diagnoses can also be made where
applicable.
4. Gaining
insight. A detailed
and clear feedback session is designed to inform and educate
the parents about the child’s cognitive profile and how
their brain functioning impacts upon their behavior and
school performance. Children who are developmentally ready
also receive a child-centered feedback session to help
highlight their strengths and to explain the “game-plan” to
them in language that they understand, so that they can
advocate for themselves.
5. Action
plan. The data and new
understanding is used to set a course of action that is
tailored to child’s needs. Collaboration with and referrals
to other professionals is an integral part of the process.
From the feedback session forward, Dr. Scalzo guides the
family to the most appropriate professionals and other
services that can best meet their child’s needs.
Dr. Scalzo is always available to help advocate for the
child at school.
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How are the
results from the evaluation used?
The results of the evaluation explain how your child thinks
and what his/her cognitive strengths and weaknesses are:
especially how they relate to his/her functioning in school
and other applied settings (e.g., making friends, following
through on household tasks).
While many times the child has a pattern of strengths and
weaknesses that is unique to them but does not meet a
pattern that is associated with a specific diagnosis, other
times a specific diagnosis is warranted. Accurate diagnosis
helps guide appropriate intervention. People are sometimes
concerned that a diagnosis will limit a child. For this
reason, Dr. Scalzo helps parents to use diagnoses
respectfully, to facilitate the best possible treatment, and
to aid understanding.
The comprehensive nature of the assessment allows for
differential diagnosis, for example, whether a child is
distracted in class because he/she has attention problems
versus a learning disability or area of relative cognitive
weakness.
Because the assessment is comprehensive, it helps the family
to gain an understanding of the “whole child.” Frequently,
young children are referred for speech-language therapy or
occupational therapy, but a broader understanding of what is
driving those needs and of the child in a broader context of
learning and understanding is not provided. Dr. Scalzo’s
goal is to make this detailed information meaningful to the
parents and child.
With a better understanding of how the child thinks,
recommendations are made for bolstering weak skills and
enhancing areas of strength. Oftentimes children can use
their strengths to help compensate for their areas of
weakness.
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What is
unique about Dr. Scalzo’s approach?
Dr. Scalzo’s training in neuropsychology is specialized and
her practice is solely devoted to neuropsychological
assessment. Dr. Scalzo believes that the level of
specificity provided by the detailed assessment and the
accuracy of diagnosis is crucial, especially for children
who present with subtle concerns that are often over-looked
with other types of more cursory assessment.
Dr. Scalzo’s manner is playful, warm and kind. Children and
young adults respond well to her style, which facilitates
accurate results. Even children who are initially reluctant
to engage with unfamiliar adults are universally at ease
with Dr. Scalzo. Dr. Scalzo’s nature is also professional
and reassuring to parents, who are encouraged to use Dr.
Scalzo as a resource and advocate.
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Payment for Services
Payments for the
evaluation are broken down into three installments, with the
first payment due at the initial interview, the second
during the actual testing, and the third at the final
feedback session.
Due to the intensive
nature of this process and the opportunity to have Dr.
Scalzo work with you and your child personally at all stages
of the assessment, insurance is not accepted by our office.
However, Dr. Scalzo can assist the family with the process
of submitting claims to insurance, and most insurance
companies provide partial coverage for the assessment.
Families can also use their FSA accounts to cover the
assessment.
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