Paediatric Neuropsychology
Evolving Families offers paediatric neuropsychological assessments and consultation for children and young people. These explore how brain development, neurological conditions, injury or medical history may affect thinking, learning, behaviour and emotional wellbeing.
Our service is led by Dr Lakshman “Lucky” Ganatra, Clinical Psychologist and Director of Evolving Families. Assessments are delivered by Clinical Psychologists with experience in paediatric settings, with the clinician and assessment approach matched to your child’s needs and each psychologist’s training and experience.
Dr Lucky has completed postgraduate study in paediatric clinical neuropsychology and is undertaking further specialist training and supervised practice. Assessments requiring more specialist neuropsychological input are undertaken by Dr Lucky, with specialist supervision as appropriate.
An assessment can help families, schools and professionals understand how a child learns, processes information, manages attention, remembers information, solves problems and copes with everyday demands. We consider both strengths and difficulties, translating the findings into practical recommendations.
This may be helpful for children and young people with
- Acquired brain injury or traumatic brain injury.
- Concussion or persisting cognitive concerns after injury.
- Epilepsy or seizure-related conditions.
- Brain tumours, stroke or other neurological conditions.
- Genetic, congenital or neurodevelopmental conditions.
- Complex medical histories affecting development or learning.
- Difficulties with memory, attention, processing speed or executive functioning.
- Changes in learning, behaviour, mood or emotional regulation.
- Questions about school support, rehabilitation or longer-term planning.
We will discuss the referral question, your child’s history and the information needed before recommending an assessment. This helps us identify whether our service is suitable and which clinician should be involved.
What the Assessment May Include
Each assessment is tailored to the child or young person. Depending on their needs, it may include:
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Consultation with parents or carers.
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Review of relevant medical, educational and therapy information.
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Direct assessment with the child or young person.
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Cognitive assessment.
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More detailed assessment of attention, memory, processing speed and executive functioning, where appropriate.
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Consideration of emotional wellbeing, behaviour and adjustment.
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Liaison with school or other professionals, with appropriate consent.
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A feedback appointment.
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A written report with recommendations.
The assessment will not necessarily include every element listed above. We select the approach according to your child’s age, developmental and medical history, everyday difficulties and the questions you want help understanding.
Our Approach
We aim to understand your child as a whole person, bringing together their experiences, strengths and everyday needs alongside assessment findings.
We consider how brain development, medical history, emotional wellbeing, relationships, school demands and the wider environment interact. Test scores form one part of this understanding.
Depending on the referral question, we may explore:
- Cognitive strengths and difficulties.
- Learning profile.
- Attention and concentration.
- Memory.
- Processing speed.
- Executive functioning, including planning, organisation and flexibility.
- Emotional wellbeing and adjustment.
- Behaviour and regulation.
- The impact of difficulties at home and school.
- Support needs and practical strategies
Our approach is collaborative, strengths-based and sensitive to each child’s developmental needs. We work with families and, where appropriate, the wider professional network to develop recommendations that are meaningful and useful in everyday life.
What You Receive
Following the assessment, you will receive:
- A feedback appointment to discuss the findings and ask questions.
- A clear explanation of your child’s strengths, difficulties and support needs.
- A written report bringing together the assessment findings.
- Practical recommendations for home and education.
- Advice about further support, intervention or onward referral, where appropriate.
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We will explain the findings in accessible language and discuss what they mean for your child’s everyday life.
Where your child needs assessment or support beyond the scope of our service, we will explain this and advise on appropriate next steps.
