Child Neuropsychological Evaluations

Child neuropsychological evaluations are offered to children 13-18 years of age. These evaluations are comprehensive and are aimed at assessing a child’s neurocognitive functions (learning and memory, language and processing, executive functions, attention, motor skills/dexterity), intellectual abilities (verbal and nonverbal, academic skills, and social/emotional/behavioral functioning. Dr. Borgaro specializes in concussion and traumatic brain injury of which treatment/recovery issues and school accommodations are important components of the neuropsychological exam.

An initial consultation is done with the child’s parents/guardian, at which time initial records are reviewed (if available) and the purpose and scope of the evaluation is determined. Sometimes it is determined that a shorter, more focused examination is sufficient in assessing the child’s symptoms and meeting the parent’s objectives. The evaluation is typically scheduled once the consultation has been completed. Depending on the purpose of the evaluation and the child’s functioning, the testing is typically conducted over one to two sessions. Upon completion of the evaluation, a report will be generated and a feedback session will be arranged for a different day. Test results and recommendations will be discussed in detail during the feedback session, and a written report will be provided to the parent (and referring doctor if applicable), as well as other treaters involved in the child’s care if requested.

If we accept your insurance, it is important to realize that insurance carriers will not provide coverage unless there is evidence of a neurological condition. In such cases, you must provide the following evidence to support the need for a neuropsychological evaluation if using medical insurance: (1) documentation of a known or suspected neurological/organic condition responsible for, or directly related to, the child’s symptoms; and (2) a referral from the child’s treating doctor that shows sufficient evidence to support the medical necessity for a neuropsychological evaluation. If these conditions are met, the insurance company must also approve coverage for the referring diagnosis. Insurance carriers typically will not provide coverage for educational evaluations or academic testing, which is necessary to assess for many childhood conditions (e.g., ADHD). For this reason, unless there is evidence of a neurological disorder (e.g., brain injury, stroke, epilepsy, etc.) and the conditions noted above are met, child neuropsychological evaluations are paid privately at the time of service.