| Are you the parent of a young child that you believe | | | | that has been trained in this area, and is SIPT qualified. |
| may have autism, even though your school district | | | | 7. Speech/Language Disorders. The child should have |
| says no? Do you wonder why your child with autism is | | | | receptive and expressive testing to determine if they |
| not learning to read? Are you considering taking your | | | | have a language or speech disorder. Other areas also |
| child for a neuropsychological evaluation due to a | | | | to be included. |
| possible learning disability? Would you like a list of | | | | 8. Social and emotional skills and difficulties. |
| areas that a neuropsychologist may test your child? | | | | 9. Specific tests to determine if a child has any learning |
| This article will discuss 9 areas that should be tested | | | | disabilities. Learning disabilities can be in the areas of: |
| during a neuropsychological evaluation. | | | | reading, writing, math, spelling, auditory processing, visual |
| Areas to be tested: | | | | processing etc. To determine if a child has dyslexia, |
| 1. Intelligence Quotient which most people call the IQ! If | | | | testing should be in the areas of: phonemic awareness, |
| the child has a language based disorder a non verbal | | | | word finding ability, phonological memory, phonological |
| intelligence test may work better. The Universal Test | | | | decoding, rapid naming, and nonsense word reading. |
| of Non Verbal Intelligence (UNIT) is used by many | | | | Dyslexia is not just turning letters around; it is difficulty |
| psychologists. | | | | with reading. |
| 2. Present levels of academic functioning. It is important | | | | Once the testing is complete the neuropsychologist will |
| to understand exactly what level a child's academics | | | | write a comprehensive report. The report needs to |
| are, so that they can be given appropriate special | | | | include an interpretation of the test results, any |
| education services to make progress. | | | | disabilities found, and a list of recommendations that |
| 3. Attention and a child's ability to attend. A | | | | you can bring to your school district of what special |
| neuropsychologist may test the child and see if they | | | | education services your child needs. To find a good |
| have Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention | | | | neuropsychologist ask other parents in your area, or |
| Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). | | | | call a local disability organization. A good |
| 4. Short and Long term memory | | | | neuropsychological examination can help a child finally |
| 5. Visual spatial, and visual motor skills | | | | get the special education and related services that |
| 6. Sensory Processing Disorder. This often occurs with | | | | they need and are entitled to under the Individuals with |
| other disabilities, such as autism or learning disabilities. | | | | Disabilities Education Act. |
| Testing for this is done by an occupational therapist | | | | |