Here at Family & Child Therapy, our goal is to ensure that our clients have the support and resources they need to progress and thrive in their daily lives. There are all sorts of strategies and recommendations that we use to achieve this goal. One such tool that we occasionally suggest is neuropsychological testing.
Neuropsychological testing is a series of evaluations administered by a psychologist to gain insight into a client’s cognitive, social-emotional, sensory processing, and executive functioning profiles. Our recent blog post about neuropsychological testing components and procedures is an excellent resource for those who want to learn more details about this invaluable tool.
The blog post linked above explains the who, what, where, and how of neuropsychological testing, but what about the why and when? At what point and for what reasons might you consider requesting neuropsychological testing for your child or teen? This is a question that we hear a lot.
Every person’s neuropsychological profile is completely unique to them, so there is not a cut and dry answer to this question. However, here are a few behavioral signs that indicate that neuropsychological testing might be helpful, such as:
Unique social interactions with others - When you observe your child interacting with other children, do they miss social cues (ex. continuing to reach for a hug even when another child backs away or asks them to stop) or find it challenging to form connections with their peers?
Distinct communication styles - Does your child communicate in ways that seem different from their peers, such as using overly formal language, having trouble with conversational flow, or struggling to understand nonverbal cues (ex. body language)?
Focused interest and routines - Does your child follow strict routines and/or experience distress when these routines change, even in subtle ways? Do they show an intense focus on specific topics or hobbies to the point that they tune out other activities or conversation attempts?
Sensory sensitivities and preferences - Does your child react strongly to certain noises, light, textures, tastes, or smells - either by avoiding these stimuli altogether or consistently seeking them out (for more information about sensory avoidance and sensory-seeking behaviors, see our blog post about sensory-friendly activities in Northern Virginia)?
High energy and hyperfocus - Does your child demonstrate a consistently high energy level, have difficulty sitting still for any stretch of time, or react impulsively in certain situations? Do they occasionally or regularly experience moments of intense hyperfocus on specific tasks?
Fares better in settings that allow for flexibility - Does your child flourish in less-structured environments where they have more control over their activities or routine? Do they find more structured environments like traditional school settings to be more challenging?
We want to make it very clear that NONE of the above behaviors are wrong - they just represent a different way of processing and interacting with the world around us. If your child consistently exhibits any of the above behaviors, neuropsychological testing may simply be a way to find out more information. We can then use the results to develop strategies and tools that make your child feel more comfortable and supported in their individuality, while also protecting their safety and the safety of those around them.
If you would like to learn more about the potential benefits of testing, or if you are wondering if you should consider testing for someone in your family, please feel free to reach out and schedule a consultation with us. We would be more than happy to answer your questions and connect you with the resources that best suit you and your loved ones.