If a child is going through an autism neuropsychological assessment in Montclair, NJ, they’ll be seeing multiple professionals during the diagnostic procedure. These may include doctors, neurologists, and other professionals. So where does the psychologist come into play?
Understanding an Autistic Child’s Strengths and Weaknesses
The neuropsychologist will be the person performing most of the autism neuropsychological assessment. This person understands where a neuro-typical child should be in stages of development, including things like cognitive ability, memory, learning ability, adaptive skills, and more. So they will be using this understanding to compare the child’s behavior, and determine where their strengths and weaknesses are. An autistic child may be stronger in processing visual information, but not have a great short-term memory ability. These are things that the neuropsychologist can identify.
Why Does That Matter?
The biggest reason that this information matters in an autism neuropsychological assessment is that it will help all the adults involved – parents, teachers, caregivers, and so on – understand the best way to teach and interact with the child. If the neuropsychologist uncovers a child with great visual processing but poor short-term memory, it helps parents understand that the child will likely find it easier to follow directions if they use picture cards for each step, rather than just expecting the child to remember each step of a chore.
Another reason this matter is that it helps determine the best course of treatment for the child. They may need help developing social skills, or they may need to help with emotional regulation. These are things that the neuropsychologist can identify during the assessment process.
What Techniques Do Neuropsychologists Use?
Neuropsychologists will use many techniques in an autism neuropsychological assessment. They may use behavioral therapies, social skills training, emotional intervention, and so much more. Their primary role after the assessment will be to work with the family in creating a stress-free, organized family life that best suits the child’s needs.
If you would like to learn more about the role of the psychologist in autism neuropsychological assessment in Montclair, NJ, contact Dr. Joshua Shifrin at 123-966-0309. can provide autism and Asperger’s evaluation, as well as evaluation of other neurological and learning disorders, such as dyslexia and more. Have your child tested early to prevent a lifetime of struggling with something that could be easily treated if understood? You can also follow them on Twitter for latest news and update!
