Services We Offer
The Outpatient Assessment Program offers a range of services designed to meet the specific needs of each individual referred to our program, regardless of diagnosis or referral question.
- Consultations offer families information and support related to their child’s condition, interpretation of previous assessment findings, and recommendations regarding treatment and educational planning. An appointment for this service typically lasts 1-3 hours and may involve review of existing records (e.g., neuro/psychological assessments, educational assessments, IEPs, 504 Plans, report cards) and contact with the child’s school and other providers, as necessary, followed by discussion with the family centered around diagnoses, treatment options, and educational planning.
- Focused assessments are designed to answer specific referral questions and typically last 2-4 hours. This could include interview, review of records, and focused formal testing, as well as discussion of test results, diagnoses, and recommendations.
- Comprehensive evaluations typically include interviews with patient and caregiver(s), a thorough review of the individual’s developmental, medical, educational, and family history, direct observation of the child, and formal psychological or neuropsychological testing. In many cases, behavioral reports from teachers can also be obtained with caregiver consent. Formal testing may include measures of the following: intellectual functioning, adaptive skills, attention/executive functions, language and language-related processes, academic/pre-academic achievement, nonverbal/visual processing, learning and memory, motor skills, personality, behavior, and social-emotional functioning.
Conditions We Serve
Congenital and Genetic Conditions
We offer specialized neuropsychological assessment of children, adolescents, and adults with a variety of congenital and genetic disorders. Individuals evaluated in this clinic include those with more commonly occurring neurologic conditions such as Down syndrome, hydrocephalus, 22q deletion syndromes, leukodystrophies, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida, as well as individuals with rare genetic conditions/syndromes and metabolic disorders. Many individuals evaluated in this clinic have a known genetic or congenital condition, but often the diagnosis is unknown or only suspected. Assessments are individualized to help clarify diagnosis when possible, monitor cognitive status, and help with educational and/or therapeutic planning.
Epilepsy
We offer specialized neuropsychological assessment of children, adolescents and young adults with seizures / epilepsy. Assessments are individualized to help clarify patterns of brain-behavior relationships, assist with treatment planning, and help clarify the impact of seizures and/or related treatments/medications on the development of cognitive, academic, social, and daily living skills. We work closely with the Johns Hopkins Pediatric Epilepsy Center to provide neuropsychological evaluations for surgical planning / eligibility and ensure coordination of care.
Acquired Brain Injury
We offer neuropsychological assessment of individuals who have experienced neurological injuries (e.g., traumatic brain injury, stroke, encephalitis). Individuals can be seen for assessment months and/or years following their brain injuries. Assessments are targeted toward clarifying patterns of recovery and making recommendations for school, home, and community settings. Providers in this clinic coordinate with rehabilitation specialists across the institute to assure coordination of care.
Cancer
We offer neuropsychological assessment of individuals who are currently undergoing or are survivors of cancer and cancer treatment. This includes children and young adults treated for leukemia, brain tumors, or other cancers who receive their care locally (e.g., Johns Hopkins Hospital, University of Maryland) or nationally. Assessments are specialized to the needs of the individual, and can help identify temporary and/or long-term learning issues associated with cancer and/or related treatment. Assessments and recommendations are designed to support the survivor’s daily cognitive, behavioral, and emotional functioning as well as any treatment-related concerns for schooling.
Other Medical Conditions
We offer neuropsychological assessment of individuals with a variety of other medical conditions that may affect the functioning of the brain. Some examples include diabetes, kidney and liver failure, cardiac conditions and congenital heart disease, history of premature birth, history of prenatal exposures, connective tissue disorders, and postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). Assessments are individualized to monitor cognitive status, evaluate the impact of the medical condition on cognition, and help with educational and/or treatment planning.
Primary Learning & Attention Concerns
We provide evaluations for individuals whose primary concerns are related to learning and/or attention and who do not have the types of medical conditions described above. Primary learning and attention concerns can sometimes be associated with deficits in executive functioning, intellectual ability, and specific academic skills. These evaluations aim to offer diagnostic clarification, as well as recommendations for supports and interventions across school and home environments.
*Insurance plans will not cover the cost of assessments solely for the purpose of identifying learning disabilities. Referrals focused on these concerns will be redirected to the local school systems.
Primary Emotional & Behavioral Concerns
We offer assessments for individuals presenting with a wide variety of behavioral and emotional concerns who do not have the types of medical conditions described above. Specialized assessment services are offered to assist with diagnostic clarification of issues involving mood, anxiety, behavior, and personality, as well as their impact on thinking and daily functioning. Assessments are tailored to the needs of the individual, and include recommendations for treatment and intervention.