Anyone regret getting child a neuropsych. eval.?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

I am the PP (post before yours, not the one you are replying to).

This is so similar to our situation. Did you get a full neuropsychological evaluation or just for inattentive ADHD? And were you ever able to figure out what the underlying issue is? We still don’t have all the answers for our child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We only got a neuropsych because multiple therapists who had worked with my kid suspected autism but they weren't 100% sure and could not diagnose.

You don’t need a neuropsych to diagnose autism.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

What actual tests did they do? Saying it was a “neuropsych” doesn’t provide any information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We only got a neuropsych because multiple therapists who had worked with my kid suspected autism but they weren't 100% sure and could not diagnose.

You don’t need a neuropsych to diagnose autism.

A full neuropsychological examination for autism is not always required, but it becomes especially important when there are significant developmental, social, or learning concerns and when you need a very detailed, “big‑picture” profile of your child’s brain‑based strengths and weaknesses.

You’d typically consider a comprehensive neuropsych evaluation if there is diagnostic uncertainty—for example, professionals are unsure whether symptoms are due to autism, ADHD, an anxiety disorder, a language disorder, or a learning disability—so a broader assessment is needed to sort this out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

I am the PP (post before yours, not the one you are replying to).

This is so similar to our situation. Did you get a full neuropsychological evaluation or just for inattentive ADHD? And were you ever able to figure out what the underlying issue is? We still don’t have all the answers for our child.

We did hours of testing (started with a Vanderbilt, then all of the behavioral/anxiety/executive function/intelligence tests for which I no longer remember the acronyms).

No answers, except that we still have a kid who mostly requires multiple reminders, while getting really annoyed at multiple reminders even though one rarely does the trick.

So, I dunno.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

What actual tests did they do? Saying it was a “neuropsych” doesn’t provide any information.

DP
It would be nonsensical for neuropsych examinations to do the exact same battery of tests for people of all ages, concerns and cognitive abilities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

What actual tests did they do? Saying it was a “neuropsych” doesn’t provide any information.

DP
It would be nonsensical for neuropsych examinations to do the exact same battery of tests for people of all ages, concerns and cognitive abilities.

True. Going back to my post earlier in this thread: and there the subjective nature of the testing begins.

But, that is actually not the worst part. Wait until they try to explain to you your own words. When they are incapable of understanding the concerns to begin with, it indeed becomes nonsensical.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

What actual tests did they do? Saying it was a “neuropsych” doesn’t provide any information.

DP
It would be nonsensical for neuropsych examinations to do the exact same battery of tests for people of all ages, concerns and cognitive abilities.

True. Going back to my post earlier in this thread: and there the subjective nature of the testing begins.

But, that is actually not the worst part. Wait until they try to explain to you your own words. When they are incapable of understanding the concerns to begin with, it indeed becomes nonsensical.

Literature comparing neuropsych tests to medical tests suggests that neuropsychological assessments have effect sizes and accuracy rates similar to many medical tests, not worse.

Errors usually come from:

-Poor test administration or scorer error.
- Using tests that are outdated, mis‑matched to the person’s language or culture, or applied without good clinical context.
- Cases where the patient puts in inconsistent or minimal effort (that’s why validity tests are built‑in).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

What actual tests did they do? Saying it was a “neuropsych” doesn’t provide any information.

DP
It would be nonsensical for neuropsych examinations to do the exact same battery of tests for people of all ages, concerns and cognitive abilities.

True. Going back to my post earlier in this thread: and there the subjective nature of the testing begins.

But, that is actually not the worst part. Wait until they try to explain to you your own words. When they are incapable of understanding the concerns to begin with, it indeed becomes nonsensical.

Literature comparing neuropsych tests to medical tests suggests that neuropsychological assessments have effect sizes and accuracy rates similar to many medical tests, not worse.

Errors usually come from:

-Poor test administration or scorer error.
- Using tests that are outdated, mis‑matched to the person’s language or culture, or applied without good clinical context.
- Cases where the patient puts in inconsistent or minimal effort (that’s why validity tests are built‑in).

Accuracy for what though?

And our kids are the types of kids for whom a long battery of cognitive tests may not be accurate - they get oppositional, distracted, don’t care, have poor fine motor skills that interfere with tests that don’t test motor skills, etc.

And of course the lack of “good clinical context” is another issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

What actual tests did they do? Saying it was a “neuropsych” doesn’t provide any information.

DP
It would be nonsensical for neuropsych examinations to do the exact same battery of tests for people of all ages, concerns and cognitive abilities.

True. Going back to my post earlier in this thread: and there the subjective nature of the testing begins.

But, that is actually not the worst part. Wait until they try to explain to you your own words. When they are incapable of understanding the concerns to begin with, it indeed becomes nonsensical.

Literature comparing neuropsych tests to medical tests suggests that neuropsychological assessments have effect sizes and accuracy rates similar to many medical tests, not worse.

Errors usually come from:

-Poor test administration or scorer error.
- Using tests that are outdated, mis‑matched to the person’s language or culture, or applied without good clinical context.
- Cases where the patient puts in inconsistent or minimal effort (that’s why validity tests are built‑in).

Accuracy for what though?

And our kids are the types of kids for whom a long battery of cognitive tests may not be accurate - they get oppositional, distracted, don’t care, have poor fine motor skills that interfere with tests that don’t test motor skills, etc.

And of course the lack of “good clinical context” is another issue.

100% this + the bolded is the core issue

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

What actual tests did they do? Saying it was a “neuropsych” doesn’t provide any information.

DP
It would be nonsensical for neuropsych examinations to do the exact same battery of tests for people of all ages, concerns and cognitive abilities.

True. Going back to my post earlier in this thread: and there the subjective nature of the testing begins.

But, that is actually not the worst part. Wait until they try to explain to you your own words. When they are incapable of understanding the concerns to begin with, it indeed becomes nonsensical.

Literature comparing neuropsych tests to medical tests suggests that neuropsychological assessments have effect sizes and accuracy rates similar to many medical tests, not worse.

Errors usually come from:

-Poor test administration or scorer error.
- Using tests that are outdated, mis‑matched to the person’s language or culture, or applied without good clinical context.
- Cases where the patient puts in inconsistent or minimal effort (that’s why validity tests are built‑in).

Accuracy for what though?

And our kids are the types of kids for whom a long battery of cognitive tests may not be accurate - they get oppositional, distracted, don’t care, have poor fine motor skills that interfere with tests that don’t test motor skills, etc.

And of course the lack of “good clinical context” is another issue.

100% this + the bolded is the core issue

It kind of feels like you are responding to the statement "a neuropsych eval is the only way to diagnose neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions and learning disabilities, everyone who has concerns about their kid should start there, and all neuropsych evals are the same so it doesn't matter which evaluator you use." But I don't know who said that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

What actual tests did they do? Saying it was a “neuropsych” doesn’t provide any information.

DP
It would be nonsensical for neuropsych examinations to do the exact same battery of tests for people of all ages, concerns and cognitive abilities.

True. Going back to my post earlier in this thread: and there the subjective nature of the testing begins.

But, that is actually not the worst part. Wait until they try to explain to you your own words. When they are incapable of understanding the concerns to begin with, it indeed becomes nonsensical.

Literature comparing neuropsych tests to medical tests suggests that neuropsychological assessments have effect sizes and accuracy rates similar to many medical tests, not worse.

Errors usually come from:

-Poor test administration or scorer error.
- Using tests that are outdated, mis‑matched to the person’s language or culture, or applied without good clinical context.
- Cases where the patient puts in inconsistent or minimal effort (that’s why validity tests are built‑in).

Accuracy for what though?

And our kids are the types of kids for whom a long battery of cognitive tests may not be accurate - they get oppositional, distracted, don’t care, have poor fine motor skills that interfere with tests that don’t test motor skills, etc.

And of course the lack of “good clinical context” is another issue.

100% this + the bolded is the core issue

It kind of feels like you are responding to the statement "a neuropsych eval is the only way to diagnose neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions and learning disabilities, everyone who has concerns about their kid should start there, and all neuropsych evals are the same so it doesn't matter which evaluator you use." But I don't know who said that.

I am not sure what you are trying to imply, but I disagree with that entire statement. Is that a quote from someone in this thread?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

What actual tests did they do? Saying it was a “neuropsych” doesn’t provide any information.

DP
It would be nonsensical for neuropsych examinations to do the exact same battery of tests for people of all ages, concerns and cognitive abilities.

True. Going back to my post earlier in this thread: and there the subjective nature of the testing begins.

But, that is actually not the worst part. Wait until they try to explain to you your own words. When they are incapable of understanding the concerns to begin with, it indeed becomes nonsensical.

Literature comparing neuropsych tests to medical tests suggests that neuropsychological assessments have effect sizes and accuracy rates similar to many medical tests, not worse.

Errors usually come from:

-Poor test administration or scorer error.
- Using tests that are outdated, mis‑matched to the person’s language or culture, or applied without good clinical context.
- Cases where the patient puts in inconsistent or minimal effort (that’s why validity tests are built‑in).

Accuracy for what though?

And our kids are the types of kids for whom a long battery of cognitive tests may not be accurate - they get oppositional, distracted, don’t care, have poor fine motor skills that interfere with tests that don’t test motor skills, etc.

And of course the lack of “good clinical context” is another issue.

100% this + the bolded is the core issue

It kind of feels like you are responding to the statement "a neuropsych eval is the only way to diagnose neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions and learning disabilities, everyone who has concerns about their kid should start there, and all neuropsych evals are the same so it doesn't matter which evaluator you use." But I don't know who said that.

People actually do say that here.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

What actual tests did they do? Saying it was a “neuropsych” doesn’t provide any information.

DP
It would be nonsensical for neuropsych examinations to do the exact same battery of tests for people of all ages, concerns and cognitive abilities.

True. Going back to my post earlier in this thread: and there the subjective nature of the testing begins.

But, that is actually not the worst part. Wait until they try to explain to you your own words. When they are incapable of understanding the concerns to begin with, it indeed becomes nonsensical.

Literature comparing neuropsych tests to medical tests suggests that neuropsychological assessments have effect sizes and accuracy rates similar to many medical tests, not worse.

Errors usually come from:

-Poor test administration or scorer error.
- Using tests that are outdated, mis‑matched to the person’s language or culture, or applied without good clinical context.
- Cases where the patient puts in inconsistent or minimal effort (that’s why validity tests are built‑in).

Accuracy for what though?

And our kids are the types of kids for whom a long battery of cognitive tests may not be accurate - they get oppositional, distracted, don’t care, have poor fine motor skills that interfere with tests that don’t test motor skills, etc.

And of course the lack of “good clinical context” is another issue.

100% this + the bolded is the core issue

It kind of feels like you are responding to the statement "a neuropsych eval is the only way to diagnose neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions and learning disabilities, everyone who has concerns about their kid should start there, and all neuropsych evals are the same so it doesn't matter which evaluator you use." But I don't know who said that.

People actually do say that here.

But your posts are in response to other posts that haven't said that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do any neuropsych evals ever come back and say the child is neurotypical? Has anyone here actually had that outcome for their own child?

Me, so I've debated answering the OP that yes, I regret getting it (though I really don't).

I wanted my 13yo screened for inattentive ADHD largely for my own sanity, not for any academic accommodations. Child does well in school, but hyperfocuses on a few interests, is emotionally reactive and really struggles with following instructions (acknowledges them, but immediately spaces and forgets nine times out of ten). Executive function almost nonexistent. I was hoping to confirm that these tendencies were outside the realm of normal (I have other kids for whom all of these traits apply occasionally, but not this consistently) and hopefully get guidance/strategies in place before the higher demands of high school.

Neuropsych concluded bright kid, no ADHD. Which still, honestly, makes no sense to me.

What actual tests did they do? Saying it was a “neuropsych” doesn’t provide any information.

DP
It would be nonsensical for neuropsych examinations to do the exact same battery of tests for people of all ages, concerns and cognitive abilities.

True. Going back to my post earlier in this thread: and there the subjective nature of the testing begins.

But, that is actually not the worst part. Wait until they try to explain to you your own words. When they are incapable of understanding the concerns to begin with, it indeed becomes nonsensical.

Literature comparing neuropsych tests to medical tests suggests that neuropsychological assessments have effect sizes and accuracy rates similar to many medical tests, not worse.

Errors usually come from:

-Poor test administration or scorer error.
- Using tests that are outdated, mis‑matched to the person’s language or culture, or applied without good clinical context.
- Cases where the patient puts in inconsistent or minimal effort (that’s why validity tests are built‑in).

Accuracy for what though?

And our kids are the types of kids for whom a long battery of cognitive tests may not be accurate - they get oppositional, distracted, don’t care, have poor fine motor skills that interfere with tests that don’t test motor skills, etc.

And of course the lack of “good clinical context” is another issue.

100% this + the bolded is the core issue

It kind of feels like you are responding to the statement "a neuropsych eval is the only way to diagnose neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions and learning disabilities, everyone who has concerns about their kid should start there, and all neuropsych evals are the same so it doesn't matter which evaluator you use." But I don't know who said that.

I am not sure what you are trying to imply, but I disagree with that entire statement. Is that a quote from someone in this thread?

Nobody on this thread has said that. But so many posts act like the post they are responding to says what is in the quote even though it doesn't.