A: A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of a child's functioning to determine their pattern of cognitive, academic, social, emotional, and behavioral strengths and weaknesses. Findings are used for diagnostic purposes and to generate recommendations to optimize functioning across settings (e.g., home and school). Q: Who undergoes evaluation? A: There are many reasons why children are referred for neuropsychological evaluation. Children suspected of having a neurodevelopmental disorder (e.g., intellectual disability, ADHD, or learning disability) often require evaluation. Children diagnosed with a medical disorder (e.g., epilepsy) or who sustained a head injury may require evaluation for treatment planning. At times children are also referred because they are struggling for unclear reasons and an evaluation is needed to clarify what may be contributing to their presentation. Q: What is executive functioning? A: Focusing your attention, planning and organizing projects and homework, multi-tasking, and stopping yourself from doing or saying something inappropriate are all aspects of executive functioning. When someone struggles with organization and regulation of their behaviors, there can be a significant negative impact on their functioning. For example, academic success, social relationships, and independence in daily activities can be affected. My goal is to help your child and students become better learners by developing skills to compensate for areas of weakness. In addition to working with my patients directly, I also work with their parents and caretakers so that skills and strategies can be generalized and reinforced across settings. Finally, I provide school staff with training regarding how to address student's executive weaknesses as they manifest in the classroom. Q: What else should I know about Dr. Plunkett? A: Dr. Plunkett earned her PhD in Psychology from Columbia University in 2016. She completed her postdoctoral fellowship in clinical neuropsychology in the Department of Neurology at Columbia University Irving Medical Center (CUIMC). She then served as the Assistant Professor of Neuropsychology within the Division of Child Neurology at CUIMC. Earlier this year she chose to pursue private practice closer to her home and family. Dr. Plunkett's background as a practitioner who has worked in both school and complex medical settings gives her a unique expertise she will utilize to provide families with comprehensive, personalized care. In addition to evaluations and executive functioning coaching/behavioral therapy, she also provides consultation services for families and schools. Visit her website for more information www.lindsayplunkettphd.com.
