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Understanding Your Child's
Neuropsychological Assessment

Why an assessment?

The aim of a neuropsychological assessment is to build a clearer understanding of how your child learns, thinks, and manages everyday demands. It looks at both strengths and the areas that may require more support, so that recommendations are practical and tailored.

What the process involves

The assessment is usually completed over one or more sessions and may include:

  • Conversations with you, and with your child where appropriate

  • A range of thinking and problem-solving activities (often presented like puzzles or tasks)

  • Questionnaires about learning, attention, and everyday functioning

  • Review of relevant background information (e.g., school or medical reports)

Children are encouraged to work at their own pace, with breaks as needed. There is no need to prepare in advance, it’s most helpful if your child arrives well-rested and able to engage as they are.

Understanding the results

The assessment provides a snapshot of your child’s functioning at a particular point in time. Performance can be influenced by things like fatigue, health, or how they are feeling on the day.

Some assessments lead to a diagnosis, while others provide a clearer understanding of learning or developmental differences without a formal diagnosis. In all cases, the goal is to offer useful guidance and next steps.

After the assessment

Once the assessment is complete:

  • We will meet to talk through the findings together

  • You’ll have space to ask questions and make sense of the results

  • A written report will be provided, outlining strengths, areas that may require more support, and recommendations

Confidentiality and privacy

Information shared as part of the assessment is treated with care and kept confidential.
There are some situations where confidentiality may need to be limited, including:
•    If there are concerns about the safety or wellbeing of your child or another person
•    Where there are legal obligations to share information
•    If records are requested through legal processes (e.g., court order)
All information is stored securely. You have the right to request access to this information and to request corrections where needed. Some materials (such as standardised test content) cannot be shared due to copyright restrictions.

Use of digital tools

Secure digital tools (Heidi and BastionGPT) may be used to support note-taking, organisation, and report writing. Heidi is a transcription tool which allows me to reduce note-taking during appointments, so I can focus more fully on the assessment and conversation. For more information about Heidi click here. Bastion GPT is a healthcare-focused platform designed for secure clinical documentation support. Information entered into the platform is encrypted and is not used to train public AI models. For more information about Bastion GPT click here.   
These tools help ensure information is brought together clearly and thoughtfully. They are used in a way that maintains strict confidentiality, and your child’s information is handled in line with New Zealand privacy standards.

Professional support and supervision

To support high quality care, aspects of the assessment may be discussed with a professional supervisor. These discussions are confidential and, where possible, identifying details are removed.

Information sharing

Your child’s information will not be shared with others without your consent, unless required by law.
You can choose who information is shared with (e.g., school, GP), and this can be changed at any time.

Working together

You will be guided through the assessment plan before we begin, so you can feel comfortable with what is involved. Consent is an ongoing process, and you’re always welcome to ask questions or seek clarification at any point.

Where appropriate, the process will also be explained to your child in a way they can understand.

Fees and practical information

Fees and timeframes will be outlined in advance.
Please note that cancellation policies apply, including fees for late cancellations or missed appointments.

If you have concerns

If you have any questions or concerns at any stage, you are encouraged to raise these directly with me.

You can also find more information about your rights as a consumer of health services here:
https://www.hdc.org.nz/your-rights/about-the-code/

Talking with your child about the assessment

Many families find it helpful to describe the assessment as a way of understanding how your child’s brain works—what feels easier for them, and what might require more effort.
It can be reassuring for children to know:
•    There are no “right” or “wrong” outcomes
•    The goal is to better understand and support them
•    They can take breaks and ask questions at any time

Consent

Before beginning the assessment, you will be asked to sign a consent form confirming that:
•    You have the legal authority to provide consent
•    You understand the nature and purpose of the assessment
•    You are aware of confidentiality and its limits
•    You understand how information is stored and used
•    You agree to the assessment process and associated fees
You may withdraw your consent at any time. This does not apply to services that have already been provided.

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