Comprehensive Neuropsychological Assessments from Infants to ‘Late Diagnosis’ Adults.
Abbreviated or targeted assessments.
Our assessments focus on highlighting the individual’s strengths while also outlining specific areas of vulnerability that may be affecting academic, social, emotional and every-day life.
For pediatric assessments, our goal is to help children and their families better understand themselves in order to best advocate for their needs. We also strive to help adults understand the child’s experience in a new way, in essence helping the child’s needs be more effectively communicated. Our work is informed by our years of experience as professionals and parents. Dr Kassissieh founded Northern Neruopsychology on the principles she learned through years of teaching, training as a therapist, a career of Neuropsychological Evaluations and a parent. Dr. Iyer brings unique experience of assessing children as young as a one year old as well as experience working in autism assessment, ABS therapy, Middle School and in community mental health. and teacher as well as her practice in both therapy and testing.
The testing involves an intake session with the parents (and sometimes with the older children). The evaluation typically takes place over two days. While each day is adapted to the child and their needs, the schedule often includes 1.5/2 hours, a 30-minute break, and another 1.5 hours over two days.
Comprehensive evaluation includes Psychological (personality and projective tests), Developmental (functional level of life skills that unfold over time), Executive Functioning (management of information, including memory), Cognitive (intellectual potential), and Academic (academic achievement) testing. These are the “full,” two-day assessments.
Shorter or targeted assessments are available if needed. For example, if a child has had recent testing and wants diagnostic clarification or if there a very specific question (ADHD rule-out, assessment for a Learning Disability or reinforcing the need for accommodations), a one-day evaluation may be sufficient. Finally, some students just need a specific test to document cognitive level (for example, for admission into a school or program) and these can be completed in a “half-day” of testing.
It is important to note that Dr. Kassissieh and Dr Iyer do all their testing, data analysis and results write up. Neither AI nor Psychometricians are used in our assessments.
Contact with other professionals (teachers, therapists, or doctors) is an essential aspect of these evaluations. Occasionally, a school observation can be included.
A feedback session is typically scheduled with parents two weeks after the testing.
A specific, child-friendly feedback (with or without parents or therapist present) is strongly recommended and can follow the parent feedback.
The final report is produced shortly after the feedback meeting. Reports are easy to read and written for a range of readers including parents, teachers, therapists, and psychiatrists. Reports are formatted for use in IEP meetings. We send reports to the parents (or guardians) and Pediatrician. Reports produced belong to the family who can share the report with whomever they would like.
Dr. Kassissieh and Dr. Iyer are always available for follow-up conversations with families, collateral contacts after testing or even progress monitoring (through targeted testing) as needed.
COMING SOON:
Adult Neuropsychology
Individual Therapy for All Ages
Family Therapy
PRESENTATIONS
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Appreciating The Multiple Intelligence
This talk is geared toward students. The goal is to help broaden one's definition of what it means to be smart and, by extension, successful. The presentation includes personal experiences, research from Howard Gardner's Theory of Multiple Intelligences, examples of learning and teaching strategies and reflections on how assessing skills can highlight hidden strengths. I use my experiences as a student, teacher, therapist and tester to try to provide young minds with the opportunity to see themselves and their learning process differently.
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ADHD Differential Diagnosis
Initially given to post-doctoral students, this presentation can be altered for parents, teachers and other professionals. The goal is to better understand ADHD and how it may be misunderstood in the context of various other presentations.
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What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
When do I need a Neuropsychological Evaluation for my child? What does a Neuropsychological Evaluation entail? How does such an evaluation differ from school testing, a visit to a psychiatrist, therapy, etc? This talk is appropriate for parents, teachers and professionals seeking to learn more about how Neuropsychological Evaluations can help them personally or professionally.
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The Neuropsychologist's Perspective: Q&A for Professionals
Do you or your colleagues have questions about what you see in the classroom or the therapy office? This talk is a free-form Q&A session in which Dr. Kassissieh will provide the Neuropsychologist's perspective on everyday challenges you face. The conversation can be tailored to the professional group's needs and adapted for those working with Preschoolers to College Students. The format can include both questions submitted ahead of time and questions that come up now.