In-Person · Rochester, MN · Ages 2–21
Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessment
Comprehensive evaluations that clarify how your child thinks, learns, and grows — and translate that understanding into practical next steps for home, school, and care providers.
What's Included
Every pediatric neuropsychological evaluation at Mind Matters includes:
- Medical and school record review
- 1-hour intake interview with caregivers
- 5–6 hours of testing (with breaks)
- Scoring and integrated interpretation of data
- Comprehensive written report
- 1-hour feedback session to review findings
What a Neuropsychological Evaluation Actually Is
A pediatric neuropsychological evaluation is a deep, structured look at how your child's brain works — across thinking, learning, attention, memory, language, problem solving, social understanding, and emotional regulation. It is not a single test or a checklist. It is a full picture built from standardized measures, clinical interview, behavioral observation, and a careful review of school and medical history.
Families come to us when something doesn't add up — a bright child who can't finish homework, a teen whose grades suddenly slip, a kindergartner whose teachers are concerned, or a family that received a quick diagnosis elsewhere and wants a second, more thorough look. Our job is to translate complex testing data into a clear story: what's going on, why it's happening, and what to do next.
Every evaluation at Mind Matters is conducted and overseen by a board-certified neuropsychologist, uses modern neurocognitive testing technology, and ends with a feedback session and written report that real people — parents, teachers, pediatricians, IEP teams — can actually use.
Signs an Evaluation May Help
You don't need a referral or a diagnosis to start. If any of these sound familiar, an evaluation can give you clarity and a plan.
- Struggles with attention, focus, or following multi-step directions
- Reading, writing, or math achievement well below expectations
- Difficulty making or keeping friends, or reading social cues
- Big emotional reactions, anxiety, or shutdown around schoolwork
- Inconsistent performance — bright in conversation, stuck on paper
- A previous diagnosis that doesn't quite explain the whole picture
- Teachers or pediatricians recommending evaluation before next steps
What We Assess
- ADHD and attention concerns
- Learning differences (reading, writing, math)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)
- Complex medical and neurological conditions
- Memory and processing concerns
- Diagnostic clarification (second-opinion)
- Gifted evaluation
Diagnostic Clarification
Already received a diagnosis but want a second opinion or comprehensive re-evaluation? Mind Matters provides diagnostic clarification — bringing board-certified expertise and advanced neurocognitive testing technology to confirm, refine, or expand on previous findings.
What Makes Us Different
Multiple team members involved in every evaluation. Not just one set of eyes — our collaborative review process involves a team with decades of experience.
Advanced neurocognitive testing technology
We use modern, research-backed instruments that go beyond standard screening tools.
Multiple clinicians review every evaluation
Not just one set of eyes — our collaborative review process ensures accuracy and depth.
Board-certified oversight on every case
Every evaluation is conducted and overseen by a board-certified neuropsychologist.
What Families Walk Away With
Clarity on the why
Move past guessing — understand whether you're seeing ADHD, a learning disability, anxiety, autism, or a combination, and how they interact.
A school-ready roadmap
Recommendations are written so teachers, IEP teams, and 504 coordinators can act on them — not buried in clinical language.
Confidence at home
Families leave with concrete strategies, language to advocate, and a deeper understanding of their child's brain — not just a label.
Frequently Asked Questions
What ages do you evaluate?
We evaluate children, adolescents, and young adults ages 2 through 21. Test batteries and the way we engage your child are tailored to developmental level — a 4-year-old's session looks very different from a 17-year-old's.
What should I tell my child about the evaluation?
How you talk about the evaluation matters more than what you say. Kids take their cues from you, so the goal is to make it feel like an interesting day, not a scary one. Frame it as meeting a doctor who learns how their brain works best. Let them know there are no shots, no needles, and no “pass or fail.” Most kids actually enjoy the activities — many describe testing as puzzles and games. They'll get breaks along the way, and can earn prizes for solid effort. No special prep is needed beyond a good night's sleep and breakfast.
What should I bring to the evaluation?
A short checklist helps us hit the ground running on testing day, but don't worry if you don't have everything — we'll work with what you've got. Bring any prior psychological, neuropsychological, or educational evaluations, along with a current IEP, 504 plan, or recent report cards and progress reports. If your child takes medication, bring a list of medications and dosages, and make sure they take their morning dose as usual. Bring glasses, hearing aids, or any other assistive devices your child uses, plus a form of payment. A water bottle and a favorite small snack for breaks are welcome too.
What should we expect on the day of the evaluation?
Plan to arrive a few minutes early. Caregivers will meet briefly with the clinician, and your child will then work one-on-one with us through a series of structured activities — many of which look and feel like puzzles, games, and conversations. We build in frequent breaks for snacks, movement, and rest.
What kinds of tests are used?
We use gold-standard, well-normed measures of cognitive ability, academic achievement, attention and executive function, memory, language, visual-spatial reasoning, social cognition, and emotional/behavioral functioning. The specific battery is tailored to your referral question.
How long until we receive results?
We will attempt, but cannot guarantee, verbal feedback on the day of your appointment. If day-of feedback cannot be completed, we will schedule another time either via telehealth or in-person for a feedback session to go over results and recommendations. Written reports are typically finalized within 2-weeks. The typical reason for the lag time between receiving feedback and the report is that we are waiting for other information (e.g., teacher questionnaires or medical records).
What does the evaluation report include?
Your report includes background information, developmental/medical history, behavioral observations, a clear summary of all test results, diagnostic impressions, and prioritized recommendations for home, school, and care providers.
What kinds of recommendations do you make?
Recommendations are practical and individualized — they may include classroom accommodations, IEP/504 considerations, therapy or coaching referrals, parenting strategies, medical follow-up, and resources for skill-building at home.
What is the difference between a neuropsychological evaluation and a school evaluation?
School evaluations are designed to determine educational eligibility under the Individuals with Disability in Education Act (IDEA). A school evaluation may not be as comprehensive as a neuropsychological evaluation. A neuropsychological evaluation may assess more comprehensively thinking skills, academic achievement, as well as behavioral, social, and emotional functioning. A neuropsychological evaluation can also formally diagnose conditions like ADHD, learning disabilities, autism, and anxiety. A neuropsychological evaluation will integrate your child's history and test findings to paint a picture of your child's current functioning and how to maximize their quality of life.
What support is available after a diagnosis?
We support families beyond the evaluation and report. That may include ADHD/executive function coaching, school coordination, referrals to trusted therapists, and follow-up brief assessments or full reevaluations as your child grows and your needs change.
What types of recommendations are made for school?
Common recommendations include extended time, preferential seating, executive function support, reading or math interventions, assistive technology, behavior plans, and language for IEP/504 goals. Recommendations are written so school teams can act on them directly.
Can you speak with our child's school team?
Yes — with your written permission, we can speak with teachers, school psychologists, and IEP/504 teams, attend meetings (in person or virtually), and help translate the report into actionable school support. Depending on the amount of time and level of involvement, there may be an additional charge for school consultation.
Will the report be accepted by our school?
The evaluations are conducted with a keen eye on the eligibility criteria for school services. In our experience, most schools appreciate the comprehensive nature of a neuropsychological evaluation report and its recommendations. However, it is important to note that schools are not required to accept our test results or recommendations. We can advocate and provide resources to help you navigate the special education system.