Neuropsychology

Our evaluations are activity-based, completely noninvasive and painless. Your child will engage in game type activities, solve puzzles and answer questions. Our team members are skilled at working with children and helping reduce their stress during testing. The testing can take anywhere between 4 to 8 hours. There we will be breaks, and our team will help ensure your child is relaxed and comfortable.

Often, children are anxious before the evaluation and may even have trouble sleeping the night before. Be sure you talk calmly to your child about the evaluation. Let them know it will not hurt and is designed to help them, not to judge them.

We do not want your child to be worried about his or her performance or anything else. Let them know they are going to be safe, comfortable and cared for during the entire process and that you are proud of them for doing it.

Neuropsychology appointments are different from a typical doctor’s appointment. The following information will help prepare you and your child for their evaluation.

What to expect:

• Your appointment will be scheduled for 4 to 8 hours. Anticipate this being a full day appointment.
• Your doctor will spend time with both you and your child to understand their history.
  • They will discuss any challenges your child is having and any questions you have about their functioning.
• Your child will spend the majority of the appointment working one-on-one with providers to complete standardized testing.
  • Caregivers must remain at Phoenix Children’s during this testing.
  • Internet is available on-site, but no private workspaces for parents are available.
• You and your child will have an opportunity for a lunch break on the day of your assessment.
  • For appointments at the Phoenix Children’s Hospital - Thomas Campus, there is a self-pay cafeteria on-site.
  • For appointments at other Phoenix Children’s locations, there is no cafeteria on site. You will either need transportation to local eateries or will need to bring lunch for your child.

What to bring:

• Any medications your child needs to take during the day
• Medical devices and any medical supplies your child will need throughout the day
• A drink, a snack and a lunch for your child and yourself
• A copy of your child’s academic plan, if applicable. This could include:
  • Multidisciplinary Evaluation Team (MET) reports
  • 504 Plans or Individualized Educational Programs (IEP)
  • Previous neuropsychological, psychoeducational or psychological evaluation report

How your child can prepare:

• Get a good night’s sleep the night before
• Eat a nutritious breakfast prior to the appointment
• Take any regularly scheduled morning medications (including ADHD medications)

The neuropsychology team does not include counselors, therapists or psychiatrists. Neuropsychology does not provide treatment for behavioral health issues, mood disorders such as depression and anxiety, or mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. We do not assess for autism or specific learning disabilities that are not related to a specific qualifying condition that affects brain development.

These services, however, are available at Phoenix Children’s through our Developmental Pediatrics and Psychology programs.