S1 E6: What are Neuropsychological Evaluations?
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About our guests for this episode:
Jason Fogler, PhD
Dr. Jason Fogler, M.A., Ph.D is a senior staff psychologist; Co-Director of the ADHD Program and Training Director of the LEND (Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental & related Disabilities) Program in the Division of Developmental Medicine at Boston Children’s Hospital; and an Assistant Professor of Pediatrics and Psychology at Harvard Medical School. He co-leads his Division's Clinical Outcomes Workgroup to improve care for what has come to be known as "complex ADHD": Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder with one or more co-occurring conditions, including mood and anxiety disorders, learning disabilities, disruptive behavior disorders, and posttraumatic stress. He has been providing neuropsychological testing, organizational skills training, and parent guidance for children and teens with ADHD for over a decade.
Please note that the views proposed in this podcast episode by Dr. Fogler are not necessarily representative of the views and policies of Boston Children’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School, or the Maternal Child Health Bureau.
Beth Jerskey, PhD
Dr. Beth Jerskey is the Director of Research and Professional Development, Director of Clinical Training, and Director of Autism Spectrum Disorder Services at the Boston Child Study Center. Dr. Jerskey is also an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Department of Psychiatry and Human Behavior at the Alpert Medical School of Brown University. Dr. Jerskey’s research centers around ethical considerations in the field of psychology and currently she sits on the Massachusetts Autism Commission’s subcommittee for children Birth – 14 years old, is the APA Federal Advocacy Coordinator for the state of Massachusetts, and is Chair of the Rhode Island Psychological Association’s Ethics Committee. Trained in both pediatric and adult neuropsychology, Dr. Jerskey has clinical interest primarily with children ages 2-14 and she has a specialty in the diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorders.
Please note that the views proposed in this podcast episode by Dr. Jerskey are not necessarily representative of the views and policies of Boston Child Study Center or the Alpert Medical School of Brown University.
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Neuropsychological evaluations provide a snapshot or picture of how an individual functions within the framework of data in comparison to others to identify strengths and vulnerabilities across various areas
This information can help guide contexts in which a person can thrive or struggle and also what interventions and accommodations can help the individual
Some of the areas include cognitive skills, language, visual spatial, visual motor, memory, attention and execution functions, academic skills, psychological aspects, etc.
The test scores help to determine where one falls in comparison to others of a similar age
The test scores also help to determine how one aspect of an individual compares to other aspects of the same individual
Reasons to get a neuropsychological assessment include: determining if there is a diagnosis or disability; understanding behaviors that are occuring; and mostly recommendations to bolster weaknesses and utilize strengths
Neuropsychological evaluations do not make demands, like where a child should go to school, it provides suggestions
A report is provided at the end of the evaluation within the context of a feedback session where the individual can learn the results and implications of the evaluation
Children can grow into and out of certain characteristics and so one evaluation should not be considered a final determination of the child's future. However, it does provide a roadmap for facilities a child's development.
There is a cost to going through the evaluation, financially especially if provider does not accept insurance, time in terms of the length of the testing, being on a long waitlist, etc. You can call your insurance to find out if they will reimburse for the evaluation (and ask the provider if they accept your insurance). You can also als your insurance if they will provide out of network reimbursement if your provider does not accept your insurance. It is also helpful to learn from the provider what the evaluation is and what it isn't (e.g., what is wanted from it) to be sure everyone involved has expectations that are congruent.
Talking with pediatricians or hospital programs to learn where you can find a provider who can conduct a neuropsychological evaluations.
The evaluator should have training in neuropsychological assessments. It can help to have a conversation about their process and approach to testing. The evaluator could tailor their testing approach depending on the characteristics of the individual. Certain states have different requirements for who can call themselves a neuropsychologist.
With permission from the patient and their caregiver, the evaluation may include gathering collateral information from others who know the individual in order to get more of a 360 degree view and various data points of the individual, such as having teachers fill out questionnaires or talking to the individual's therapist. Observations can also be part of the evaluation.
The results of the evaluation should be based on the results of the testing.
The evaluation can help an individual to understand themselves better and also quantify and validate the way in which they have struggled in a particular area of their life.
Neuropsychological evaluations can recommend programs to help individuals with challenges (e.g., learning disabilities, emotion dysregulation) that they may not otherwise realize they needed.
Sometimes there is a mismatch between an individual and their context and the neuropsychological evaluation can glean insight into this.
ADHD more often than not co-occurs with many other challenges (e.g., learning disabilities, health issues, neurodevelopment conditions, mental health conditions). Neuropsychological evaluations can tease apart which symptoms fit which challenge and diagnosis.
Schools can provide psychoeducational assessments that focus primarily on cognitive IQ testing and educational testing while neuropsychological testing is more in depth for testing other areas and for making diagnoses.
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Season 1 Episode 6 unpacks what neuropsychological evaluations are with our guests, Dr. Jason Fogler and Dr. Beth Jerskey.
Be curious. Be Open. Be well.
The ReidConnect-Ed Podcast is hosted by Siblings Alexis Reid and Dr. Gerald Reid.
*Please note that different practitioners may have different opinions- this is our perspective and is intended to educate you on what may be possible.
