How to know if your patient/client needs a referral for neuropsych testing
Are you working with someone, a child, teen or even an adult and feel things haven't been going as well as you think they should, and feel something might be in the way other than psychodynamics? Your patient/client may have a learning difference and they may benefit from a neuropsych test that would help them know themself better and also help them know where to look for coaching or adjunct sessions for strategizing in college and on a job. Here are some helpful signs that your patient may need testing.
1.If you've been working with someone for awhile and you aren't seeing changes in their academic and organizational changes despite strategies and tools in place
2. If their doctor is providing a stimulant for ADD or ADHD but nobody has evaluated them, they could have ADHD, but if they do, there are other challenges they will likely have in the executive functioning realm or, ily help with but an organizational coach would. The ADHD might be part of a larger learning issue that could require a tutor and accommodations that the person is entitled to. Alternatively, the person might LOOK like they have ADHD but it could be anxiety, depression or narcissistic withdrawal or sensory and environmental overload.
3. A careful developmental history might reveal a hard to sooth baby, one who sucked longer than usual, had separation issues, social challenges, lags in motor and language skills, sensory registration deficits or sensory defensiveness, difficulty sustaining eye contact, being a picky eater are all things kids don’t grow out of that become part of a bigger picture that they can get help with.
4. Watch their posture, Are they slumped over when writing? Is their postural muscle tone low?Is their grip on a crayon or pencil awkward? Are they dysgraphic? Uncoordinated?
5. What subjects do they hate? If reading, why? Hard to read the letters or understand what they are reading? Math? Do they consistently hand things in late? Have trouble getting motivated? Procrastinate? Underachieve?
6. Do their behavioral issues include impulsivity, power and control, aggression, passivity, perfectionism? These may indicate a narcissistic core, but they may also be indicative of high functioning autism, PDD-NOS or NVLD.
These are just some of the red flags. If you have a suspicion and want to touch base, Ask Sheri