Neuropsychological testing is a special type of psychological testing that evaluates a childās academic ability and learning strengths and weaknesses. It helps clinicians, teachers and parents understand how a child is learning and processing information compared to other children of the same age. For example, a child might be able to articulate very complicated concepts and yet have trouble reading about those concepts, or a child might read very fluidly and yet have very poor comprehension.
Neuropsychological testing can provide important information about the nature of a childās learning strengths and challenges. Parents should know, however, that testing targets a childās learning deficits, challenges him to perform tasks that are particularly difficult because of those deficits, and then recommends methods for compensating for those deficits. In many ways, itās the paper-and-pencil test equivalent of a cardiac stress test. Therefore, itās important to explain to your child that this is a test where the doctor expects you not to know all the answers. Your child should be well-rested and fed before testing begins.