What is Neuropsychological and Psychoeducational Testing

(And How It Can Help You)

Written for Teens and Young Adults
by Thảo-Châu Trịnh, Psy.D.

Did you know that there are different types of tests that help us learn about ourselves and how we think, learn, and feel? These tests, or assessments, have special names and purposes that can help you and the people around you. Whether this be your family, teachers, friends, coaches, therapists, or doctors! They also help you understand more about things you are good at (strengths), and where you might need more help (challenges). Join Mind Matters as we explore what makes psychoeducational and neuropsychological testing unique. We’ll also discuss how they can help us understand the various aspects of our lives.

Different Types of Evaluations in Berkeley & Silicon Valley, CA for Different Purposes

Educational Evaluations: Discovering How We Learn

Educational Evaluations help explain how we learn and are usually completed in a school setting with a Learning Specialist or Educational Therapist. These tests can focus on how we learn in different subjects like reading, writing, and math. They can also show us how we understand new information and use it to solve problems. More importantly, it can tell us what is happening in the classroom and identify what we are good at and where we might struggle. These tests help teachers figure out the best ways to teach to make learning fun! 

Psychological Evaluations: Exploring Our Emotions

Do you ever wonder why you feel worried, sad, or easily frustrated? A Psychological Evaluation, which are like feelings tests, help us understand our emotions and thoughts. These tests ask questions about how we feel in different situations and how we handle challenges. These tests are given by experts (Licensed Psychologists or Licensed Educational Psychologists) who are trained to give us insight into our feelings, support those difficult times of stress, and help provide tools to cope with our emotions.

Psychoeducational and Neuropsychological Evaluations: Understanding How Our Minds Work

Sometimes, our challenges can be a combination of learning difficulties and feelings. A Neuropsychological Evaluation can help you understand how and why your brain works the way that it does. These tests are given by experts like Neuropsychologists or Licensed Clinical Psychologists (PsyD or PhD) who have special training in understanding the connection between the brain and our behavior. These tests help solve the mystery of how our brains think, remember, and solve problems. It helps to explain why things are happening for us the way that it does at home, school, or work. It is often used to understand conditions like ADHD, Autism, and learning differences. 

Breaking Down Neuropsychological Testing in Berkeley & Silicon Valley, CA

Neuropsychological testing (or Neuropsychological Evaluations) is a specialized way of measuring different factors that impact cognition (thinking), behavior (actions), and emotional (feelings) functioning. By understanding what is happening, how we learn, and why, doctors and experts can develop a personalized plan to help us harness those strengths. It can also help us find and improve on our areas of weakness. The tests use different tasks, games, and questions that piece together a puzzle to better understand things like:

• attention
• memory
• language
• problem-solving
• emotional processing

ADHD: Talking About Attention

Neuropsychological testing can show if someone has trouble paying attention, controlling their impulses, remembering things to do, making plans, or organizing themselves to get tasks done throughout the day. While watching someone’s behavior through observations is important, neuropsych testing can give more exact information to understand if the challenge with paying attention is ADHD or something else that looks similar. 

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Autism: Peering into Social Relationships

Autism can affect how we talk, act, and connect with others. Neuropsychological testing can check how well someone understands others, uses language to communicate, or how they experience the world around them. For kids, understanding how these areas work can show doctors where someone needs support and how to make or keep friends. For adults, this can guide someone on how to navigate social and professional relationships. It also works to better communication skills.

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Learning Disabilities: Understanding How We Learn

Learning Disabilities (LD) are a range of conditions that can impact a person’s ability to learn and apply academic skills effectively. Neuropsychological testing can look at how skills of reading, writing, and mathematics are impacted by memory and processing speed (how quickly and accurately you do things). These tests can identify why learning may be difficult. The test can help get accommodations and interventions that assist in reducing the challenges and improving the learning experience.

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What Psychoeducational Testing in Berkeley, & Silicon Valley, CA May Look Like:

A psychoeducational & neuropsychological evaluation for ADHD, Autism, or learning differences will likely include these steps:

1. Clinical Interview. To understand why it may be hard to stay focused or calm, interact with others, or do well in school, your clinician might talk to your family, teacher, or doctor. They will listen and ask questions about how you behave in different situations to get a better understanding of your history. 
2. Observation. It can be helpful to watch how you interact, communicate, play, or respond to others in different situations. 
3. Behavioral Rating Scales. It is important to get the perspective from you and the people who know you best (e.g., family members or teachers). By filling out questionnaires, there is a better picture of behaviors and difficulties that arise in different settings such as home, school, and work.
4. Cognitive Tests. These tasks (e.g. verbal, non-verbal, and puzzles) look at different areas of cognitive functioning. For example: general knowledge, memory, problem solving, and processing speed. 
5. Academic Tests. These are standardized tests that measure skills such as reading, writing, and math. There may be a mix of paper-pencil tasks and computer tasks. They help identify areas that are strong and where difficulties might exist.
6. Computer-Based Tests. Attentional tasks can be completed on a computer to help measure how well someone pays attention, stays on track, and controls their impulses (actions). 
7. Projective Tests. These are like personality tests that use pictures to help bring out feelings and thoughts that are deeply stored in the mind (aka the “unconscious”) to the outside feelings and thoughts that you know you are feeling and thinking (aka the “conscious mind”).

Final Thoughts on Psychoeducational Testing & Neuropsychological Evaluations

Each type of test has its own special role in helping us understand ourselves better. Whether the curiosity is to help uncover how our minds work, how we learn, or help us understand our emotions, through neuro-psych testing, we can get a clearer picture of who we are. In addition to how we can grow, learn, and thrive in our lives.

Get a Psychoeducational Evaluation for Your Child in Berkeley, Silicon Valley, & San Francisco, CA

Psychoeducational and Neuropsychological tests are administered by a dedicated Licensed Psychologist (or Licensed Educational Psychologist). They provide valuable insights into their learning profile and cognitive strengths. The analysis you receive from Mind Matters helps you tailor their accommodations and interventions to their needs. It can also open up paths to success for your child. Follow these steps to get started:

1. Reach out to schedule an appointment.
2. Schedule your child’s evaluation at our Berkeley office, Silicon Valley office, or San Francisco office
3. Empower your child’s journey to thrive.

Other Services We Offer in Berkeley, Silicon Valley, & San Francisco

If our office in Berkeley, CA is too far away for you, we have two other office locations. Conveniently located in Campbell, CA, and San Francisco, CA.

In addition to psychoeducational and neuropsychological evaluations, we have neurodevelopmental screenings. If that’s not what you’re looking for, we offer services for parent guidance sessions and school meetings. If you want to know how we can help support you and your neurodivergent child reach out to us.