Neuropsychological Assessments
When a student is struggling and no one can explain why—a neuropsychological evaluation is often the answer.
Many families spend years—sometimes the entire span of elementary school—being told their child is ‘just a little behind’ or ‘not trying hard enough’ before anyone suggests a formal evaluation. A neuropsychological evaluation stops that cycle.
Through a comprehensive assessment covering cognitive ability, attention, memory, processing speed, executive functioning, academic achievement, and social-emotional functioning, our partnered neuropsychologists build a complete picture of how your child’s brain works—and where it needs support.
The result is not just a diagnosis. It is a detailed, personalized blueprint that tells you exactly what to ask for at school, what support strategies will actually work, and why your child has been struggling in the ways they have.
Getting an evaluation.
It is often not an easy decision to pursue Neuropsychological evaluation, and the process is emotionally draining. You do not need to go through the process alone; our team has first hand-experience with this as parents and educators, and even going through the process themselves.
Neuropsychological evaluations are the most thorough diagnostic tool available for understanding a child’s learning profile. They are used to diagnose:
- ADHD—including inattentive, hyperactive, and combined types, and including cases where ADHD has gone undiagnosed because a student was managing well enough until academic demands increased.
- Dyslexia + other reading disorders—identifying the specific processing differences that affect reading fluency, phonological awareness, and spelling.
- Executive functioning disorders—documenting challenges with planning, organization, and task initiation that are affecting school performance.
- Anxiety and mood disorders—evaluating how anxiety or emotional regulation challenges are interacting with academic performance.
- Giftedness—identifying students who are underperforming relative to their cognitive ability, including twice-exceptional students (gifted with a co-occurring learning difference).
Getting the evaluation is just the beginning. What happens next matters more.
A neuropsychological report can run 30 to 50 pages. The feedback session with the neuropsychologist typically lasts an hour. Most families leave with more questions than they arrived with. At Dynamic Tutoring Solutions, we help you bridge that gap. We work with you to understand what the report is actually saying, translate the recommendations into a concrete action plan, support you through IEP and 504 meetings to make sure the right accommodations are put in place, and connect your child with the tutoring or executive functioning coaching that matches their specific learning profile. Getting a diagnosis is meaningful. But it is the steps that follow—the advocacy, the support, the ongoing adjustment as your child grows—that determine whether anything changes.
Dynamic Tutoring Solutions helps families throughout Lake Forest, Lake Bluff, Libertyville, Vernon Hills, Winnetka, Northfield, Glenview, Northbrook, Wilmette, Glencoe, Kenilworth, Evanston, and Highland Park navigate neuropsychological assessments and understand recommendations for school and home. We also collaborate with trusted neuropsychologists and educational specialists to ensure students receive the support they need.
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What is a neuropsychological evaluation, and what does it test for?
A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment conducted by a licensed neuropsychologist that examines how a student’s brain processes information across a wide range of areas. This typically includes cognitive ability (IQ), academic achievement, attention, memory, executive functioning, processing speed, language, and social-emotional functioning. The results give a detailed picture of a student’s strengths and challenges — and are the most thorough way to diagnose conditions like ADHD, dyslexia, anxiety, giftedness, and other learning disabilities.
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How do I know if my child needs a neuropsychological evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation is worth considering when a child is struggling academically despite effort and support, when there are unexplained gaps between ability and performance, when teachers or specialists have raised questions about attention, learning, or development, or when a school has requested testing. It is also valuable when you suspect ADHD, dyslexia, or an executive functioning disorder but do not yet have a formal diagnosis. A diagnosis gives your child access to accommodations at school, more targeted support, and a clearer roadmap for intervention.
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Can a neuropsychological evaluation diagnose ADHD or dyslexia?
Yes. Neuropsychological evaluations are one of the most reliable ways to diagnose ADHD, dyslexia, and other learning disabilities. The assessment includes standardized tests that measure attention, processing speed, phonological awareness, reading fluency, working memory, and other areas directly relevant to these diagnoses. The resulting report includes a formal diagnosis (when warranted), a detailed profile of the student’s strengths and weaknesses, and specific recommendations for school accommodations, therapies, and learning support strategies.
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How long does a neuropsychological evaluation take, and what is the process?
Most neuropsychological evaluations involve two to four hours of testing, sometimes spread across two sessions depending on the child’s age and stamina. Before testing, the neuropsychologist will gather background information from parents and often from teachers. After testing, a feedback session is scheduled to review the results with parents. The full process — from intake to receiving the written report — typically takes three to six weeks. Our team can help connect you with a neuropsychologist then support you through the process, ensuring families are prepared at every step.
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What happens after the evaluation? How does Dynamic Tutoring Solutions help?
Receiving an evaluation report is just the beginning. In our opinion, this is one of the most important steps since nothing happens from an evaluation unless you act on it; this is where many families need the most support. Dynamic Tutoring Solutions helps you understand the report’s recommendations in plain language, develop a plan for what to request from your child’s school (whether a 504 plan or IEP), and connect your child with the right tutoring or executive functioning support based on their specific learning profile. We also support families through advocacy at school meetings to ensure the plan is actually implemented. This is a team-based approach and evolves as the student progresses.
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What are students entitled to at school after being diagnosed with a learning disability?
What schools provide to students once they are diagnosed with a challenge and have either a 504 or IEP varies by the public or private school. In general, schools will need to provide certain accommodations and modifications for students. There should also be a regular cadence of meetings to ensure that students are meeting the goals outlined in their learning plans.
Parents often work with advocates, who act as your ally, to ensure your child is getting the support they are entitled to. Asking the right questions and using the right terminology to show an understanding of your child’s rights and the education process is critical for long-term success.
Ready to get started?
If your child is struggling with academics, executive functioning or learning differences, we can help build a clear plan forward. Contact us today to learn more.