NEURODEVELOPMENTAL EVALUATIONS IN COLORADO SPRINGS & DENVER
What is a Neurodevelopmental Evaluation?
A neurodevelopmental evaluation is a structured, comprehensive assessment used to determine whether a child meets diagnostic criteria for certain developmental disorders. These evaluations combine standardized testing, clinical interviews, behavioral observations, and caregiver-completed questionnaires. Together, these tools help us better understand a child’s strengths and challenges across multiple areas of functioning, including cognition, communication, behavior, and academic skills.
Conditions Our Neurodevelopmental Evaluations Cover
Conditions We Assess For
At Brain & Body Integration, we provide neurodevelopmental testing and evaluations for children ages 18 months to 17 years old that assess for a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders and conditions. Our evaluations do not assess all neurodevelopmental disorders; instead, we focus on a few of the more prevalent disorders we can assess in our outpatient settings in Colorado Springs and Denver. For example, we assess for autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, communication disorder, learning disorders, and global developmental delay.
Conditions We Do Not Assess For
Our neurodevelopmental disorder assessments do not include genetic disorders (typically diagnosed via chromosomal microarray genetic testing) or motor disorders (a pediatrician or occupational therapist is a good option to assess for conditions affecting gross or fine motor skills).
What Our Neurodevelopmental Testing Includes
Given the scope of what we assess for, our neurodevelopmental testing and evaluations in Colorado Springs and Denver typically measure areas of functioning such as social communication; restricted, repetitive interests, activities, or behaviors; language (receptive and expressive language); overall intelligence; attention, concentration, and impulsivity; and math/reading/writing skills. We use standardized, research-based tests to measure these areas of ability/functioning and to see whether or not your child has a neurodevelopmental disorder.
Clinical Interview
We also conduct a clinical interview to gather information about your child’s history. We will ask questions related to your child’s presenting symptoms, family dynamics, developmental history, educational history, family history of developmental disorders, potential substance use or exposure to substances, and medical history.
Caregiver Questionnaires
Our neurodevelopmental disorder evaluations in Colorado Springs and Denver also involve administering questionnaires to you or another caretaker that ask questions about your child’s functioning across various domains.
Behavioral Observations
In addition, we observe your child throughout testing to gather data about your child’s behavior and note anything that appears to be outside of normal limits.
Diagnosis and Treatment Recommendations
Because our neurodevelopmental testing and evaluations combine clinical interviews, behavioral observations, questionnaires, and standardized testing, we can gather comprehensive data to accurately diagnose any of the conditions listed above. Our clinics in Colorado Springs and Denver then provide treatment recommendations for your child to help treat the neurodevelopmental disorder observed or measured during testing.