Neuropsychological Evaluations for Children and Teens on Long Island

Clear answers for bright kids who are struggling.

Comprehensive private-pay evaluations designed to help families understand attention, learning, anxiety, executive functioning, and what support will actually help.

Dr. Courtney Duhning, Psy.D., ABSNP, NCSP

Board-Certified Pediatric Neuropsychologist

Does This Sound Familiar?

You may be here because your child is…

  • Bright, but not performing up to their potential

  • Taking hours to complete homework

  • Struggling with reading, writing, or math despite effort

  • Having difficulty with attention, organization, or following through

  • Easily overwhelmed, anxious, or shutting down

  • Not getting clear answers from school alone

What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment designed to understand how your child learns, thinks, processes information, and manages emotions and behavior.

It can help answer questions about:

  • ADHD and attention difficulties

  • Executive functioning challenges

  • Learning disabilities including dyslexia, dysgraphia, and dyscalculia

  • Anxiety and emotional functioning

  • Memory, processing speed, and cognitive strengths and weaknesses

What Questions Can a Neuropsychological Evaluation Answer?

Evaluations may be helpful for concerns related to:

  • ADHD and attention difficulties

  • Dyslexia and reading difficulties

  • Dysgraphia and writing difficulties

  • Dyscalculia and math difficulties

  • Executive functioning weaknesses

  • Processing speed and working memory concerns

  • Learning disabilities

  • Academic underachievement

  • Anxiety affecting school performance

  • Memory, organization, and problem-solving difficulties

  • Giftedness and twice-exceptionality

  • Complex or unclear school concerns

Why Families Often Seek a Private Evaluation

They may have:

  • spoken with teachers

  • pursued tutoring or extra support

  • completed school-based testing

  • been told to “wait and see”

And yet, they are still left asking:

  • What is actually going on?

  • What is driving the struggle?

  • What support would actually help?

  • What may have been missed?

Sometimes children appear “average” on school testing and still struggle significantly. A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation can provide the deeper understanding that school-based testing often cannot.


The Evaluation Process

𝟏. Background Review

You complete detailed history forms about your child’s development, academics, and current concerns. I review everything carefully before testing begins.

𝟐. In-Person Testing

Testing is typically completed over 2–3 in-person sessions, depending on your child’s age, needs, and attention stamina. Sessions last 1.5-3 hours each.

𝟑. Interpretation

Results are carefully integrated to provide a nuanced understanding of your child’s cognitive, academic, emotional, and behavioral functioning.

𝟒. Report & Feedback

You receive a detailed written report, clear diagnostic impressions when appropriate, and personalized recommendations for school, home, and next steps.

Why families choose Duhning Psychological Services

  • Specialized pediatric neuropsychological evaluations

  • Focus on attention, hyperactivity, anxiety, and executive functioning

  • Expertise in dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia

  • Thorough, individualized assessment process

  • Clear explanations of strengths and weaknesses — not confusing reports

  • Practical recommendations for real-life use

  • Collaborative, parent-centered approach

The goal is not just testing — it’s helping you understand your child and what they need to succeed.

Ready to get answers?

If your child is struggling and things aren’t adding up, a comprehensive evaluation can help provide clarity and direction.

FAQs

Pediatric Neuropsychological Evaluations on Long Island

  • While ADHD can sometimes be diagnosed clinically, a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation helps determine whether attention difficulties are truly ADHD, anxiety-related, executive functioning weaknesses, learning-based frustration, or a combination. Many high-achieving children mask symptoms until academic demands increase. Testing provides objective data that guides treatment, school accommodations, and long-term planning.

  • Yes. Neuropsychological testing assesses reading, writing, math, phonological processing, and language-based skills to determine whether dyslexia, dysgraphia, or dyscalculia are present. More importantly, it identifies the specific cognitive processes contributing to academic struggles. For families seeking clarity about dyslexia testing on Long Island, a comprehensive evaluation provides both diagnosis and actionable recommendations.

  • Yes. Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations are often helpful for understanding concerns related to dyslexia, dysgraphia, dyscalculia, learning disabilities, and academic underachievement — as well as the underlying cognitive and executive functioning factors that may be contributing.

  • A private neuropsychological evaluation can provide strong documentation for school accommodations. While final eligibility decisions are made by the school district, detailed objective testing data often clarifies needs and supports advocacy. Many families pursue private testing specifically to strengthen accommodation requests. Schools want data and diagnoses.

  • That does not always mean everything is fine. Some children continue to struggle in meaningful ways even when scores appear “average” on paper. A more comprehensive evaluation can often help explain why.

  • The first step is a complimentary consultation call to discuss your concerns and determine whether a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is appropriate. From there, a structured intake process begins followed by 2-3 testing sessions.

  • Families receive clear recommendations for school and home. Many parents use the results to guide next steps such as school supports, targeted interventions, or therapy. The goal is to leave with a plan — not just information.

  • We are a private-pay practice, which allows for a more comprehensive and individualized evaluation process.

    However, many families are able to use their out-of-network (OON) benefits for partial reimbursement.

    We provide:

    • detailed receipts (superbills)

    • the necessary documentation for insurance submission

    Families are encouraged to contact their insurance provider to understand their out-of-network benefits.