Neuropsychology is a specialized area of psychology that studies how the brain and nervous system affect the way we think, feel, and act. When the brain is affected by injury or medical conditions, it can change the way a person functions in daily life.

Neuropsychologists are experts who study the relationship between the brain’s structure and our abilities to learn, remember, solve problems, and manage emotions. They have advanced training in both psychology and neurology (the study of the brain and nervous system). This makes them especially good at understanding brain-related issues. 

Neuropsychologists may have different specialties. For example, Dr. Moran specializes in pediatric neuropsychology, which means she is trained to work with kids, teens, and college-aged youth. Pediatric neuropsychologists may also specialize in working with either or both:

• Early childhood and developmental disorders: young children who may have developmental delays, learning disabilities, or other early childhood conditions (e.g., ADHD).

• Medical conditions affecting the brain: individuals who have experienced brain injuries, strokes, or neurological conditions like epilepsy, spina bifida, or cerebral palsy. This is Dr. Moran’s area of expertise.

The most common service provided by neuropsychologists is evaluation. An evaluation gives results like how bloodwork shows if your levels of things like cholesterol or iron are too high, too low, or just right. A neuropsychological evaluation looks at different thinking skills – like memory, attention, and problem-solving – and indicates whether they’re where they should be, or if that person might need more support, strategies, or accommodations. The neuropsychologist will give recommendations. For example, they might suggest a child needs speech-language therapy, or they may suggest tips for how a school could adjust teaching methods for a student who has had a stroke.

Less commonly, some neuropsychologists like Dr. Moran offer intervention or therapy services. These might include cognitive rehabilitation, which helps individuals improve thinking skills or develop new strategies to compensate for their challenges, or therapy support for managing the emotional and behavioral effects of brain-related conditions.

There are many reasons someone might see a neuropsychologist. Parents might bring their child to a neuropsychologist if they notice their child is having trouble in school or isn’t developing as expected. If the child experienced a medical event like a brain injury, stroke, or is diagnosed with a neurological condition, a neuropsychologist can help assess how these issues are affecting their thinking and behavior. The child’s doctor may also suggest seeing a neuropsychologist so they can understand how to better help the child. Overall, the goal of neuropsychology is to give a clear picture of how the brain is working and to help people find strategies or treatments to help improve daily life.