Neuropsychological Testing in Austin: ADHD, Autism, Dyslexia

What This Evaluation Covers

A neuropsychological evaluation provides a detailed picture of how a person thinks, learns, and functions.

Rather than focusing on a single skill or concern, we look across cognitive, academic, and emotional domains to understand how different abilities work together. The goal is to understand the individual’s unique cognitive profile: not only where difficulties may exist, but also how personal strengths can support learning and development. Findings are integrated across domains to clarify diagnoses when appropriate and provide practical, evidence-based recommendations tailored to specific needs at home, work, school, and other settings.

The specific components of an evaluation are tailored to the individual's age, developmental history, current concerns, and referral questions. Depending on the circumstances, an evaluation may assess:

Attention and executive functioning: sustained attention, inhibition, working memory, cognitive flexibility, planning, organization, and self-monitoring
Learning and memory: how information is encoded, retained, and retrieved
Language and communication: understanding and expressing language, verbal reasoning, and communication skills
Intellectual abilities and reasoning: verbal and nonverbal reasoning, problem-solving, processing speed, and overall cognitive abilities
Academic skills: reading, writing, spelling, and mathematics
Visual-spatial and motor abilities: visual perception, spatial reasoning, and fine-motor skills
Social cognition and functioning: social understanding, interpersonal functioning, and patterns relevant to developmental concerns
Emotional and behavioral functioning: emotional regulation, mood, anxiety, behavior, and other factors that may affect functioning
Adaptive functioning: practical, social, and everyday skills needed to function independently across settings

By considering these areas together, we can develop a more complete understanding of the individual's developmental and neuropsychological profile.

Who This Is For

An evaluation may be helpful when there are questions about:

Academic difficulties or changes in school performance
Concerns about reading, writing, or mathematics
Attention, organization, or executive functioning difficulties
Learning differences or suspected learning disabilities
Developmental, social, or behavioral concerns
Anxiety, mood concerns, or emotional difficulties affecting functioning
Questions about giftedness or an uneven pattern of cognitive abilities
A history of neurological or medical concerns
Appropriate educational, workplace, or other accommodations and supports
Needing documentation of previously diagnosed disabilities
Diagnostic clarification when previous evaluations have produced conflicting or incomplete information

Do you offer adult testing?

The Evaluation Process

Every evaluation is individualized. The process generally includes:

Step 1

Initial Consultation & History

A comprehensive clinical interview with the individual and/or their parents, as appropriate, is conducted. Relevant medical, educational, psychological, and previous evaluation records may also be reviewed.

Step 2

Neuropsychological Testing

5–10 hours

Specific neuropsychological measures are selected based on the referral questions. The length of the evaluation session(s) and overall timeline vary depending on the questions being addressed. We will discuss the anticipated process and timeline with you before the evaluation begins.

A neuropsychological evaluation can range between 5–10 hours, with a comprehensive evaluation typically lasting 7–10 hours.

Step 3

Integration & Interpretation

Test results, developmental history, observations, and other available information are integrated to develop a comprehensive understanding of the individual's profile. Rather than interpreting individual scores in isolation, we look for meaningful patterns across areas of functioning. This process helps place test findings in context and, when appropriate, clarify diagnostic questions.

Step 4

Feedback & Recommendations

A feedback session provides an opportunity to discuss findings, diagnostic impressions, and recommendations. Families receive practical guidance tailored to the individual's needs across home, school, and other settings.

Step 5

Comprehensive Report

A written report provides an integrated summary of the evaluation findings, diagnostic conclusions, and individualized recommendations. When appropriate and with permission, we may also consult with schools or other professionals involved in the individual's care, providing the report when requested.

What to bring on the testing day

Our Core Services

Neuropsychological Evaluations

At Neuropsychology Specialists of Austin, we evaluate children, adolescents, and adults when there are questions about developmental disorders or differences, including autism spectrum disorder, ADHD, learning disorders, and other conditions that may affect cognitive, academic, social, emotional, or adaptive functioning. We also evaluate changes in cognition that result from brain injuries and other neurological conditions.

School Advocacy & Family Support

Navigating school services, evaluations, accommodations, and educational decisions can feel overwhelming. Families often know that something is not working for their child but may not know what questions to ask, what information they need, or how to advocate effectively.

Our goal is not to tell families what their child's educational plan should look like. Rather, we help parents better understand their child's profile and participate more confidently in the educational decision-making process.

How We Can Help

Depending on the family's needs, consultation may include:

Reviewing school evaluations, IEPs, 504 Plans, and other educational records
Helping families understand evaluation results and educational recommendations
Identifying areas where a student's needs may not be fully reflected in their current educational plan
Preparing families for school meetings and educational planning discussions
Helping parents formulate questions and communicate concerns effectively
Providing guidance regarding accommodations, interventions, and supports
Consulting with schools or educational professionals, with appropriate authorization
Helping families understand whether an independent evaluation may provide additional information

Independent Educational Evaluations (IEE)

An Independent Educational Evaluation (IEE) is an evaluation conducted by a qualified professional who is not employed by a student's school or school district.

At Neuropsychology Specialists of Austin, our IEEs are comprehensive and individualized. We consider cognitive, academic, developmental, emotional, behavioral, and functional information to understand how a student's profile may be affecting their educational experience.

An IEE may be appropriate when there are questions about:

The adequacy or completeness of a school-based evaluation
A student's eligibility for special education or related services
Learning disabilities or other learning differences
Attention and executive functioning
Academic difficulties that have not been fully explained
A discrepancy between a student's abilities and academic performance
Appropriate educational services, accommodations, or interventions
Whether existing supports adequately address a student's needs
Conflicting information from previous evaluations

Forensic Evaluations

Forensic neuropsychology applies specialized neuropsychological expertise to questions that arise in legal proceedings. Services are tailored to each case. Attorneys may contact our office to discuss a potential referral and determine the appropriate scope of services.

Services

Forensic Neuropsychological Evaluations (IME)
Independent assessment of cognitive, psychological, and functional status in matters involving injury, illness, disability, or other medical and legal questions.
Records Review & Expert Consultation
Independent review and interpretation of relevant records, with consultation regarding neuropsychological findings, clinical evidence, and case-specific questions.
Expert Witness Testimony
Deposition, trial, or hearing testimony concerning neuropsychological findings, clinical opinions, and the interpretation of relevant evidence.

Giftedness Evaluations

An evaluation may be helpful when there are questions about giftedness or an uneven pattern of cognitive abilities. Many parents find this helpful in determining the appropriate school setting and it may be required for some school applications.