When Something Feels Off, Start Here.
Practical guidance to help you understand your child’s learning, attention, executive functioning, and emotional needs, and recognize when it may be time to look more closely.
Written by Dr. Duhning, a Long Island neuropsychologist specializing in children and adolescents.
Why Homework Takes So Long for Some Kids (And It’s Not Laziness)
Why Reading Practice Isn’t Helping My Child
Could My Child Have a Math Learning Difficulty? A Parent Checklist
My Child Is Smart but Struggling in School — Why?
“Everyone says my child is capable… so why is school such a battle?”
When a child is bright, but still struggling academically or emotionally, it can feel confusing and frustrating. Grades may not reflect the effort being put in, and progress can feel inconsistent or slow.
Being smart but struggling is more common than many parents realize — and it usually means there’s something getting in the way, not a lack of ability.
How Do I Know If My Child Needs a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
Parents often come to me saying the same thing:
“Something isn’t quite right, but I can’t put my finger on it.”
Their child is SMART and capable, yet school feels exhausting, overwhelming, or consistently hard. They may have some school supports, but progress is slow or inconsistent. If this sounds familiar, you may be wondering whether a neuropsychological evaluation could help.
This post will walk you through what a neuropsychological evaluation is, when it may be helpful, and how to know if it’s the right next step for your child.