Parents are often referred to clinical neuropsychologists by their neurologist, neurosurgeon, primary care physician, friends, or family member but with no specific explanation as to what to expect a neuropsychologist will do. I was speaking at a conference when parent in audience asked the question, “What should I expect from a neuropsychologist providing care for my child? I do not recall how I began my response, but I do recall that it was not progressing well. The mother of one of my patients happened to be in the audience and came to my rescue. Raising her hand, she asked if she might help in answering the question. I gladly shared the microphone.

The mother explained briefly to the audience the symptoms her son was experiencing that prompted the initial referral. Not sure exactly sure how she would respond, I was relieved to have her speak positively of my interaction with the family. Expecting that she would report the benefit to the school, the “well written evaluation” but her response was somewhat unexpected. She reported that the greatest benefit provided was explaining to her the “logic” of her son’s behavior and symptoms, which she reported answered her questions of why he behaves the way he does, and by understanding that, her ability to advocate for him was much improved. She was better able to communicate with the school, asking questions, requesting services, etc. Prior to that time, she reported having been perceived as an overly protective, and controlling mother. It had been perceived that “he just needed more discipline”, not recognizing that he required more structure.

The mother’s description was reassuring, of benefit to the group, myself included, and consistent with my professional goals in providing treatment support. Understanding the “logic” of a child’s behavior post-acquired brain injury was a very helpful foundation to beginning treatment. Unfortunately, the tendency is to base our opinion of the child who struggles or the parents’ ability to parent the struggling child on what we see, without understanding the logic of the child individually. This logic becomes the foundation of how they learn most productively, why they behave the way they do, etc. Our assumption always is that the parent “should know better” and be able to control their child. All children are not created equal…

My goal is to provide a greater understanding to parents for how a disruption (e.g., acquired brain injury, genetics, brain tumors, seizures, neurobehavioral disorder) in the developmental progression can impact regulation of behavior, emotion, and learning, disrupting the process of neurodevelopmental progression. With that understanding, we can optimize educational opportunity and maximize developmental outcomes. And therefore, by understanding the “logic” of a child’s behavior and / or learning difficulties, we are in a better position to successfully access and develop optimal support for the individual child.

For suggestions of questions to ask your clinical neuropsychologist, click here.