Pediatric Neuropsychological Evaluations
I conduct neuropsychological evaluations for an array of developmental challenges, as well as for giftedness. Families who come to me often have questions about attention and concentration, language and communication, social engagement and interpersonal challenges, and emotional regulation.
Neuropsychological evaluations require knowledge of brain-behavior relationships to tie together complex information and tease out the underlying causes of the challenges an individual faces in daily life. The interventions we generate as a result then target those very underlying causes, giving each child the best chance of success in fulfilling their potential. For each assessment, I am passionately curious about how a child or teen's cognitive skills, personality, and experiences interweave to result in the way they present to the world. My goal is to understand deeply and to communicate that understanding in a way that generates compassion for a child's lived experience, as well as highlighting strengths. I practice neurodiversity-affirming evaluations.
A neuropsychological assessment includes:
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~a review of the medical/educational file and collateral information (e.g. teacher comments)
~an initial intake with the caregivers of the patient
~several testing sessions with the patient
~feedback sessions with the patient and with their caregivers
~a report that the patient and their family can use to advocate for their needs
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Typically, I assess ages 6 through 22, although I may make exceptions in certain circumstances.
Psychotherapy
I conduct therapy with adults, teenagers and children. In my therapeutic work, I make room for clients to tell their stories and to feel their feelings. As we develop the narrative, we integrate techniques and skills to address specific symptoms, while holding in mind the whole person as they exist within their current context. We look at the patterns that each patient has developed over time to contend with the challenges they face both from out in the world and from within themselves. We build the skills to challenge those patterns over time, to develop new ways of approaching interactions and tasks that can open up opportunities for growth and development. I hold the perspective that growth and development are lifelong processes and our work is to support each patient in finding the resources to progress along the course of development.
I believe that the relationship between therapist and patient is an integral tool in therapeutic work, and my stance is non-judgemental and compassionate. I am always looking for the "why," because I start from the belief that everyone is trying to do their best with the resources they have.
Parent Coaching
I have a particular interest in supporting caregivers around the intensely challenging work of caregiving and parenting. As immensely rewarding and joyful as parenting can be, some children simply take more work. My goal is to support parents in enforcing firm and kind limits with their children while maintaining an empathic, loving connection, and being able to be present for, and tolerate, all their child's feelings.
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I believe passionately that the quality of the relationship between parents and children is the currency that allows children to successfully grow and develop, and is the basis for all the other interventions that we try. Given this, I see enhancing the relationship between parents and their children and teens as an important starting point.
Professional Workshops and Presentations
I also offer professional development workshops, trainings, and presentations on topics within my areas of expertise to groups and organizations in the larger community. See below for topics of past presentations:
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2019 - Contra Costa County Library, Kensington Branch, presentation for library patrons:
Neuropsychological Assessment: Questions and Answers
2018 - Strategies for Learning, professional development for tutoring staff:
Comorbidity of Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
2017 - Stanford Children’s Health, Bayside Medical Group, medical staff presentation
Anatomy of a Neuropsychological Report
2015 - NYU Child Study Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Grand Rounds presentation:
Assessment of Trauma
2015 - NYU Child Study Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Parent and Child Workshop Series:
Understanding How the Brain Learns
2015 - NYU Langone Medical Center, Brain Awareness Week Fair, poster presentation:
What is Pediatric Neuropsychology?
2015 - International Neuropsychological Society (INS) Conference poster presentation:
Sensitivity of Three Methods of Calculating Stroop Interference in Assessment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
2015 - Everyone Reading Conference, presentations:
Mythbusters: Neuroscience and the Classroom
​Demystifying Neuropsychological Evaluations
​Understanding Bilingualism and Its Impact on Education
2014 - American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) Conference poster presentation:
Utility of Cognitive Estimation in Assessment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
2014 - Center for Hearing and Communication, staff and parent training presentation:
Demystifying your child’s Neuropsychological Evaluation
2014 - Early Head Start, staff presentation:
Unraveling the Mysteries of the Infant Brain
2014 - NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Trainee Seminar:
Handedness and Fine Motor Function
2014 - Everyone Reading Conference, presentation:
Understanding the underpinnings of reading through language development
2014 - Everyone Reading Conference, presentation:
Language and reading development in children with hearing loss
2014 - New York Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, staff training presentation:
ADHD in the Welfare System
2013 - Yeshiva University, Behavioral & Social Sciences Research Day, Poster Presentation:
Preschoolers’ Conceptions of Early School-Related Experiences: Adaptation of the MacArthur Story Stem
Battery
2018 - Strategies for Learning, professional development for tutoring staff:
Comorbidity of Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
2017 - Stanford Children’s Health, Bayside Medical Group, medical staff presentation
Anatomy of a Neuropsychological Report
2015 - NYU Child Study Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Grand Rounds presentation:
Assessment of Trauma
2015 - NYU Child Study Center, Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Parent and Child Workshop Series:
Understanding How the Brain Learns
2015 - NYU Langone Medical Center, Brain Awareness Week Fair, poster presentation:
What is Pediatric Neuropsychology?
2015 - International Neuropsychological Society (INS) Conference poster presentation:
Sensitivity of Three Methods of Calculating Stroop Interference in Assessment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
2015 - Everyone Reading Conference, presentations:
Mythbusters: Neuroscience and the Classroom
​Demystifying Neuropsychological Evaluations
​Understanding Bilingualism and Its Impact on Education
2014 - American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (AACN) Conference poster presentation:
Utility of Cognitive Estimation in Assessment of Children with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder
2014 - Center for Hearing and Communication, staff and parent training presentation:
Demystifying your child’s Neuropsychological Evaluation
2014 - Early Head Start, staff presentation:
Unraveling the Mysteries of the Infant Brain
2014 - NYU Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, Trainee Seminar:
Handedness and Fine Motor Function
2014 - Everyone Reading Conference, presentation:
Understanding the underpinnings of reading through language development
2014 - Everyone Reading Conference, presentation:
Language and reading development in children with hearing loss
2014 - New York Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Children, staff training presentation:
ADHD in the Welfare System
2013 - Yeshiva University, Behavioral & Social Sciences Research Day, Poster Presentation:
Preschoolers’ Conceptions of Early School-Related Experiences: Adaptation of the MacArthur Story Stem
Battery
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