Pediatric Neuropsychology | Nemours Children's Health

Pediatric Neuropsychology | Nemours Children's Health
Pediatric Neuropsychology
Pediatric Neuropsychology
(302) 651-4500
Pediatric Neuropsychology
(904) 697-3600
Pediatric Neuropsychology
Call Us
Pediatric Neuropsychology
Delaware Valley
(302) 651-4500
Northeast Florida
(904) 697-3600
Contact Nemours
Visit our contact page to find more contact information for each of our regions
What Is Pediatric Neuropsychology?
Pediatric neuropsychology is a professional specialty concerned with learning and behavior in relationship to your child’s brain. A pediatric neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist with expertise in how learning and behavior are associated with the development of brain structures and systems. Pediatric neuropsychologists assess brain functioning in a number of ways, including formal testing. The pediatric neuropsychologist conducts the evaluation, interprets the test results and makes recommendations.
Find  Pediatric Neuropsychology From Nemours
We have multiple pediatric neuropsychology specialists and locations — find the care closest to you.
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Areas That Pediatric Neuropsychology Assesses
A typical neuropsychological evaluation of a school-age child may assess these areas:
Intellectual functioning
Language
Visual–spatial skills and visual-motor coordination
Learning and memory
Attention
Executive functioning, such as organization, planning, inhibition, and flexibility
Academic achievement, such as reading and math
Behavioral and emotional functioning
Social skills
Who Would Benefit From a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
A pediatric neuropsychological evaluation might be a good option for any child or teen who has a medical condition that affects neurocognitive functioning, such as those listed in the next box.
Conditions & Treatments
We see a wide range of conditions — far too many to list here. The conditions we treat vary depending on the location and providers selected. Don’t see a condition listed? Call us.
Autoimmune Conditions
Cancer or Tumors
Cerebral Palsy
Congenital Heart Defects
Genetic Disorders
Hearing Loss
Hydrocephalus
Hypoxic or Anoxic Injury
Intrauterine Substance Exposure
Meningitis
Mitochondrial Disorders
Neurological Conditions of Unknown Origin
Prematurity or Low Birthweight
Sickle Cell Disease
Stroke or Intraventricular Hemorrhage
Traumatic Brain Injury
Tuberous Sclerosis Complex
What Does a Neuropsychological Evaluation Look Like?
Neuropsychological testing usually includes an interview with you about your child’s history, observation of and an interview with your child, and testing. Testing involves paper and pencil and hands-on activities, answering questions and sometimes using a computer. You’ll be asked to fill out a questionnaire about your child’s development and behavior.
You are usually not in the room during testing, although you may be present with very young children. The time required depends on your child’s age and issue (generally
4–6 hours
). Make sure your child has a good night’s sleep before the testing. If your child wears glasses or a hearing aid or any other device, make sure to bring it. If your child has special language needs, please alert the neuropsychologist to these. If your child is on stimulant medication, such as Ritalin, or other medication, check with the neuropsychologist beforehand about coordinating dosage time with testing. If your child has had previous school testing, an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or Section 504 Plan, or has related medical records, please bring or send this information and records to the neuropsychologist for review.
What you tell your child about this evaluation depends on how much he or she can understand. Be simple and brief and relate your explanation to a problem that your child knows about such as “trouble with spelling,” “problems following directions” or “feeling upset.” If your child is worried, please reassure them that testing does not involve “shots.” Tell your child that you are trying to understand their problem to make things better. You may also tell them that “nobody gets every question right,” and that the important thing is to “try your best.” Your child will probably find the neuropsychological evaluation interesting, and the detailed information that is gathered will contribute to your child’s care.
For additional information regarding neuropsychological testing, you can learn more from
The Society for Clinical Neuropsychology
Meet the Team
You can find our neuropsychologists at multiple locations in the Delaware Valley and in Northeast Florida.
Laura Robin Freeman, PhD
Neuropsychology
(800) 416-4441
Primary Office
Wilmington, DE
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Dierdre Belle Russell, PhD
Neuropsychology
(800) 416-4441
Primary Office
Wilmington, DE
View Provider Profile
Gabriel Araujo, PhD
Neuropsychology
(904) 697-3600
Primary Office
Jacksonville, FL
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Marcos Di Pinto, PhD
Neuropsychology
(904) 697-3600
Primary Office
Jacksonville, FL
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Jennifer Hutcherson, MS
Neuropsychology
(904) 697-3600
Primary Office
Jacksonville, FL
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Olgamari Moyano Smith, MSW
Neuropsychology
(904) 697-3600
Primary Office
Jacksonville, FL
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Courtney Toomey, PsyD
Neuropsychology
(904) 697-3600
Primary Office
Jacksonville, FL
View Provider Profile
Related Specialties
Behavioral Health (Psychology and Psychiatry)
Cardiology
Developmental Behavioral Pediatricians
Genetics
Neonatology
Neurology
Rehabilitation Medicine
Rheumatology