Imagine sitting at your kitchen table, staring at your child’s report card. It’s filled with notes like, “Needs to focus more in class” or “Struggles to keep up with peers.” But you’ve tried everything: extra tutoring, stricter routines, even advice from well-meaning friends, but nothing seems to help.
Do you know someone who’s constantly forgetting appointments, losing track of tasks at work, and feeling like their brain just won’t cooperate? They might even have been labeled “lazy” or “unmotivated” their entire life, but deep down, they and you know, it’s not that simple.
Struggles with attention, memory, or problem-solving can leave anyone feeling defeated. When you don’t understand what’s causing these challenges, it’s hard to know what to do next.
In circumstances such as these, we suggest neuropsychological evaluations, especially when there’s confusion as to why a child or adult has been suffering. These assessments look for the cause of problems and raise actionable solutions.
The Frustration of Not Knowing
When someone close to you is struggling with learning or behavior challenges, the ripple effects can touch every part of their life. Kids may face constant criticism at school, feel left out socially, or develop anxiety because they can’t keep up with their peers. Adults may feel stuck in their careers, struggle to maintain relationships, or battle low self-esteem because they believe they’re the problem.
The lack of answers can make everything worse, and parents often feel helpless, unsure how to properly support their child. Adults may avoid seeking help altogether, worried they’ll be dismissed or misunderstood. Without a clear understanding of what’s going on, those suffering can get caught in this cycle of frustration and blame.
What Is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation is like a detailed map of how someone’s brain works. It’s a series of tests that assess cognitive abilities, emotional functioning, and behavior. The tests explore things like memory, attention, language skills, problem-solving, and more.
For example, a child who struggles in school might take tests that assess reading comprehension, working memory, and processing speed. An adult with memory concerns might undergo assessments to evaluate attention and executive functioning. The goal is to identify strengths and weaknesses, providing a comprehensive picture of how their brain operates.
How Evaluations Help
For Parents:
Meet Lisa, whose 9-year-old son, Jacob, has been falling behind in school. Teachers say he’s bright but unfocused, and homework turns into nightly battles. Lisa feels guilty, wondering if she’s doing something wrong as a parent. After a neuropsychological evaluation, they discover that Jacob has ADHD and a specific learning disorder affecting his reading. With this information, Jacob’s teachers can adjust his curriculum, and Lisa learns strategies to support him at home. Finally, the tension eases, and Jacob begins to feel more confident in himself.
For Adults:
Mike is a 35-year-old project manager who constantly misses deadlines at work. He’s been labeled “disorganized” and feels like a failure. A neuropsychological evaluation reveals that Mike has undiagnosed executive functioning challenges, likely stemming from ADHD. Armed with this information, Mike works with his employer to implement tools like task management apps and adjusts his workload to play to his strengths. For the first time ever, he feels like he can keep up and even excel at his job.
Why Evaluations Matter
By understanding how the brain processes information, parents, educators, and individuals themselves can focus on making changes that improve their daily life.
For children, these evaluations can lead to personalized education plans, therapy interventions, or accommodations that reduce frustration and help them succeed.
For adults, they offer a clear picture for long-standing issues and open the door to new strategies or treatments that can make life feel manageable again.
The process might seem daunting, but it’s often the key to breaking the cycle. The evaluations are thorough, making sure no stone is left unturned. And while the findings may feel overwhelming at first, they’re the first step towards meaningful change.
Taking the First Step
If you or someone you love has been struggling without answers, contact us to discuss a neuropsychological evaluation. It’s not about assigning blame or finding flaws it’s about understanding what’s really going on and building a way forward. Once you know what you’re dealing with, you can make the right moves to address it.
Neuropsychological, psychological, and achievement testing is available for those aged 7 and older.
PVD Psychological Associates specialize in college mental health, anxiety, depression, eating disorders, trauma, LGBTQIA+ issues, and relationship difficulties.
We also see clients for a range of other issues.
If you would like to discuss your needs with a therapist, complete the enquiry form on our Contact page and we’ll call or email you for a confidential chat.
