Pediatric Neuropsychology Services
Assessing Social, Emotional, and Behavioral Functioning in Children & Teens
SLUCare Physician Group pediatric neuropsychology focuses on the assessment of children and teens who have medical conditions that may impact their thinking and learning. As psychologists, we provide an assessment of a child’s social, emotional, and behavioral functioning. As pediatric neuropsychologists, we have additional training and expertise in understanding how certain medical conditions impact brain development. There may be associated issues with attention, executive functioning, learning and memory, visual-motor functioning, and social, emotional, and behavioral functioning that are best identified with neuropsychological testing. We focus on brain function and its related behaviors.
Examples of Common Conditions
These conditions warrant seeking a referral to see a pediatric neuropsychologist:
- Brain tumor
- Cancer
- Cerebral palsy
- Concussion/traumatic brain injury
- Congenital heart disease
- Demyelinating conditions
- Epilepsy/seizures
- Genetic disorders
- History of preterm birth
- Hydrocephalus
- Neuromuscular conditions
- Stroke
Areas that a Pediatric Neuropsychologist Assess:
- Intellectual abilities
- Attention
- Executive functioning such as working memory, processing speed, planning, problem-solving, and organizational skills
- Learning/academic functioning
- Memory
- Communication skills
- Motor functioning
- Social-emotional and behavioral regulation
Our Services
Neuropsychological evaluations include two visits for gathering information:
1. The first visit (often virtual) is with you and your child to obtain background information and to get to know you and your child.
2. In-person testing with your child is completed at the second visit.
- Appointments are scheduled in the morning as we want your child fresh and alert.
- We take breaks as needed.
- Your child will spend one-on-one time with a trained examiner while you complete questionnaires in the waiting room.
- Testing is a non-invasive way to learn about brain function. We use school-like tasks to measure brain-behavior function. Your child will answer questions and use their hands to draw and work with different materials.
A one-hour follow-up appointment is scheduled within a few weeks after the intial testing.
- The neuropsychologist reviews results and next step planning.
- Results commonly support the need for educational support services. This may include recommendations for an Individualized Educational Program (IEP), Section 504 Plan, and occupational or speech/language therapy.
- Every child is different! Recommendations may include counseling, medicine, speech/language therapy, or occupational therapy.
Evaluation results help the patient, family, and medical team understand strengths and weaknesses. Results help us:
- Identify areas of weakness that may contribute to your child’s areas of difficulty.
- Identify the most appropriate areas for intervention.
- Develop medical and educational plans.
A comprehensive report is completed within one month after testing.
Copies of the report are provided to:
- Families
- Referring provider
- Primary care physician
- Psychoeducational evaluations may only evaluate a child’s intelligence and academic achievement.
- Neuropsychological evaluations are typically more complete. We evaluate intelligence and academic achievement, but also supportive areas of neurocognitive functioning that impact a child’s daily functioning.
How Do I start?
If you are interested in a pediatric neuropsychology evaluation, please talk with your medical provider about a referral. If there are any nonurgent questions, please contact the Neuropsychology Division within SLUCare Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neuroscience at 314-617-3990 or email neuroservice@ssmhealth.com.
For additional information, learn more at the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology.
