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Together is a new resource for anyone affected by pediatric cancer - patients and their parents, family members, and friends.
Learn MoreA psychological evaluation is a visit with a doctor called a psychologist. This visit helps you understand how your child thinks, learns, and behaves.
A neuropsychological evaluation is similar but provides more information when needed. Your child will visit with a doctor called a neuropsychologist. This doctor knows how the brain works and how brain injuries, illness, or treatments affect thinking and learning.
A psychological evaluation may include tests to measure thinking, learning, and development.
The psychology team will decide what kind of evaluation your child needs. During both types of evaluations, the care provider will:
Your care team might suggest an evaluation to screen your child for any problems they might be having or to monitor how they are doing. The tests may also show if your child's illness or treatments are affecting their thinking, emotions, or behavior.
Your child might have problems with:
Your child might need additional tests if they have medical problems such as:
Tell your care team if you notice these problems. A visit could help you find out why this is happening and how your child can get help.
Your child might also have psychological or neuropsychological testing if they are part of a research study.
An evaluation can help find out if your child is having problems with things like development and learning.
Depending on your child’s needs, tests might measure:
An evaluation can:
A health care provider will speak with you and your child. Your child may take tests with a pencil and paper or a computer.
The length of the appointment will depend on the type of testing and evaluation and what your child needs. Testing might need more than 1 appointment.
Your child should have a good night of sleep and eat a meal before the appointment. Your child should take all their regular medicines on the test day.
A parent or guardian must be present to answer questions and fill out forms. For instance, a parent might have to sign a form that lets the care team talk to staff at your child’s school.
Please bring your child's school records, including:
If your child uses any of the following, please bring them to the appointment:
You can use this information to:
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Reviewed: July 2022