Minnesota Neuropsychology

05/06/2026

We love being out in the community! 💙

Several times throughout the school year, Dr. Ashley Isaia had the opportunity to speak with ECFE classes at Wayzata Public Schools—sharing insights that help parents better understand how their child’s brain grows, learns, and develops. 🧠✨

From emotional regulation and social skills to early signs of ADHD, dyslexia, giftedness, and autism, these conversations gave families practical, research-based guidance they can actually use.

She also walked through what a neuropsychological evaluation looks like—and how it can offer meaningful clarity about a child’s strengths, challenges, and educational needs.

We’re so grateful to the incredible parent educators for inviting Minnesota Neuropsychology to be part of these important conversations. 🤝

Here’s to supporting families with knowledge, connection, and compassion. 💫

05/01/2026

If you’re a working mother—especially a millennial mom—there’s a good chance your mental load feels…relentless.

You are managing a career, caregiving, relationships, schedules, school emails, grocery lists, emotional labor, and the invisible planning that keeps everything running. And somewhere in the middle of all that, you’re also trying to show up as your best self.

It’s a lot. And we want to start by saying this clearly: We see you. And we know how hard you’re trying.

Comprehensive one-day evaluations identify ADHD, dyslexia, and more, empowering neurodiverse learners to embrace their strengths and move forward with confidence.

05/01/2026

Minnesota Neuropsychology was proud to attend Minnesota Literacy Day at the Capitol in April. Hundreds of students, parents, educators, literacy advocates, legislators, and community leaders gathered to rally in support of strong implementation of The READ Act and HF60/SF184. This proposed legislation would provide two hours of dyslexia-specific professional development for teacher license renewal in Minnesota. It was inspiring to hear the students speak about their struggles and triumphs over dyslexia. Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader!

Thank you Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota and Great MN Schools for organizing this meaningful and energizing event! We are proud our own Laurie Berg serves on the board of Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota.

04/27/2026

A team of researchers at Stanford (Tanaka et al., 2011, Psychological Science) used brain imaging (fMRI) to study what happens in children’s brains during reading tasks. They compared two groups of struggling readers: kids with high IQs and kids with lower IQs. The big question was: are their brains doing different things? The answer was a clear no.

Both groups showed the same reduced activation in the same brain regions — specifically the left parieto-temporal and occipito-temporal areas. These are the regions involved in connecting letters to sounds and processing words efficiently. The pattern of brain differences that characterizes dyslexia was identical, regardless of IQ.

In other words, dyslexia shows up in the brain in the same way, no matter the intelligence of your child.

Comprehensive one-day evaluations identify ADHD, dyslexia, and more, empowering neurodiverse learners to embrace their strengths and move forward with confidence.

04/22/2026

I recently had the privilege of spending two full days at Spirit Rock Meditation Center in Marin County, California, gathered with a group of psychologists and mental health providers for a deep dive into the science and practice of self-compassion. Led by Dr. Kristin Neff — the researcher who first introduced self-compassion as a formal psychological construct — and world-renowned contemplative teacher Caverly Morgan, the retreat wove together empirical research, guided meditation, and silent nature walks into the most integrative continuing education experience I’ve ever had. And I want to share it with you!

Comprehensive one-day evaluations identify ADHD, dyslexia, and more, empowering neurodiverse learners to embrace their strengths and move forward with confidence.

04/21/2026

Join us! 💫✨💫 Register now for the 2026 Annual International Dyslexia Association-Upper Midwest Branch Conference and join Dr. Liz Adams for a presentation:
“Inside the Reading Brain”

When: Saturday, April 25
Where: Anderson Center, Bethel University, St. Paul
Time: 8:15 am to 4:00 pm
Who: Parents, Educators, Advocates, and anyone interested in learning more about Dyslexia
Register: ida-uppermidwest.org

At 10:45 am join Dr. Liz Adams for "Inside the Reading Brain: A Neuropsychologist's Guide to Dyslexia and Effective Intervention," which takes a fascinating deep dive into the neuroscience of reading — why the brain must be deliberately taught to decode written language, and what makes that process harder for children with dyslexia.

Dr. Adams will walk through phonological processing, orthographic mapping, letter reversals, and the neural basis of reading differences, while also addressing the emotional and psychological experience of struggling readers. This session is ideal for educators, tutors, parents, and anyone who works with or advocates for dyslexic learners.

A handful of the other amazing sessions planned for the conference include:
💫Keynote - Dr. Peter Bowers
💫Dyslexia Simulation by Decoding Dyslexia Minnesota
💫Dyslexia 101
💫Morphology Workshop
💫Dyslexia in Minnesota: What state law means to students and schools
💫Building Teacher Confidence: Dyslexia education through expert collaboration

Stop by our Minnesota Neuropsychology table to say hello and grab some MNNP swag! We hope to see you Saturday!

Register at ida-uppermidwest.org

04/20/2026

My heart is so full. 💚

For the fourth year in a row, I got to spend a morning with the parents of the Institute for Talented Youth - MITY — and honestly, this group never stops inspiring me.

These are parents who are already doing so much for their kids. They show up. They ask hard questions. They want to understand not just what their child is struggling with, but WHY — what's happening in the brain, where it comes from, and what they can actually do about it. That kind of love and dedication? I don't take it for granted for a single second.

This year we talked about learning differences that often hide in plain sight in gifted kids — what we call Twice Exceptional, or 2e:

💡 ADHD
💡 Dyslexia
💡 Dysgraphia
💡 Dyscalculia

We talked about brains, genetics, strengths, and real strategies families can use. My goal is always the same: take the science and make it actually useful — no jargon, no judgment, just understanding and hope.

If your child is 2e, or you think they might be, please know you are not alone — and there is so much to celebrate about the way their mind works. 🧠✨

Thank you, MITY families. See you next year. 💚

04/18/2026

We are so grateful to be part of this amazing community The Promenade of Wayzata 💖💖💖

Big smiles, growing minds and support every step of the way! 💙

Our friends at are here for you and your little ones with thoughtful care, helpful insights and a team that truly gets it. Learn more about their specialty services for ADHD, dyslexia and other evaluations by reaching out to their Wayzata office today.✨

04/16/2026

Dr. Adams had the privilege of speaking at Groves Learning Organization this past Tuesday, and what an evening it was. 💙

Thank you to the incredible team at Groves for the warm invitation — it was an honor to be in a room full of people who show up so wholeheartedly for the learners in their lives.

Dr. Adams opened by reflecting on what everyone in that room had in common: they know and love someone who is bravely navigating a world that doesn't always recognize their strengths or support their challenges. That kind of love and commitment to understanding? It's everything.

Her talk — Dyslexia Unveiled: Understanding Manifestations, Brain Science, and Support Strategies for Neurodiverse Learners — walked families through:

✨ What dyslexia actually looks like at home and in school
✨ What brain science tells us about reading differences
✨ Practical tools to advocate for your child and support their learning

Dyslexic learners are some of the most courageous, creative, and brilliant humans around. They deserve communities that truly understand them.

If you'd like Dr. Adams to bring this conversation to your school, parent group, or organization, reach out — she'd love to connect!

04/11/2026

Next Week!
In-Person Event with Dr. Liz Adams from Minnesota Neuropsychology
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Dyslexia is often misunderstood, leaving parents and educators searching for answers. In this informative and empowering talk, Dr. Liz Adams will demystify dyslexia by uncovering what current brain science reveals about reading differences, how dyslexia shows up in children, and what families can do to provide meaningful support.

With a blend of science, compassion, and practical strategies, Dr. Adams will share real-world examples of what you might observe in a dyslexic learner, while offering guidance on how to strengthen both learning and confidence at home and in school. Families will walk away with tools to better understand their child’s learning profile and to advocate for effective accommodations and interventions.

A board-certified neuropsychologist with 18 years of experience evaluating learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, and giftedness. Dr. Adams is known for her thoughtful insights and approachable communication style. Her expertise makes complex research both accessible and actionable for parents.

Whether you are just beginning to navigate a new diagnosis or looking for ways to deepen your understanding, this session will provide clarity, encouragement, and practical steps forward for supporting neurodiverse learners.

Register Here: https://bit.ly/46rTRoZ

04/10/2026

We want to make sure the neuropsychological evaluation day is an empowering experience for children. It is a brave thing for a child to come to a new place, meet new people, and do new kinds of tasks, some of which are quite challenging for them. We want to honor this bravery, and we want to create an environment where children are understood, celebrated, and empowered.

Comprehensive one-day evaluations identify ADHD, dyslexia, and more, empowering neurodiverse learners to embrace their strengths and move forward with confidence.

04/07/2026

Join Dr. Liz Adams at GLO next week for an engaging and empowering discussion of dyslexia 🧠❤️🫶

Next Week!
In-Person Event with Dr. Liz Adams from Minnesota Neuropsychology
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 2026
Time: 6:30 – 8:00 PM

Dyslexia is often misunderstood, leaving parents and educators searching for answers. In this informative and empowering talk, Dr. Liz Adams will demystify dyslexia by uncovering what current brain science reveals about reading differences, how dyslexia shows up in children, and what families can do to provide meaningful support.

With a blend of science, compassion, and practical strategies, Dr. Adams will share real-world examples of what you might observe in a dyslexic learner, while offering guidance on how to strengthen both learning and confidence at home and in school. Families will walk away with tools to better understand their child’s learning profile and to advocate for effective accommodations and interventions.

A board-certified neuropsychologist with 18 years of experience evaluating learning differences, including dyslexia, ADHD, and giftedness. Dr. Adams is known for her thoughtful insights and approachable communication style. Her expertise makes complex research both accessible and actionable for parents.

Whether you are just beginning to navigate a new diagnosis or looking for ways to deepen your understanding, this session will provide clarity, encouragement, and practical steps forward for supporting neurodiverse learners.

Register Here: https://bit.ly/46rTRoZ