Dr. McCabe works exclusively with children and adolescents. Depending on the concern, some referrals for young adults are also accepted. Comprehensive and abbreviated evaluations are conducted as well as consultations. Dr. McCabe does not provide counseling or therapy.
Neuropsychological Evaluation
A neuropsychological evaluation is an assessment of cognitive functioning. Neuropsychology is concerned with better understanding the relationships between brain and behavior. This means that the neuropsychologist thoroughly evaluates cognitive skills (see below) and then links this understanding to the patient’s neurological/medical background. The goal of an evaluation depends on the referral question. Goals might be to develop strategies for intervention, make recommendations for medical management, or to better understand a child’s pattern of development and how this might affect day-to-day functioning.
A neuropsychological evaluation is focused on cognitive functioning. Some assessment of emotional and behavioral functioning is also conducted. However, if your primary concern is about emotional or behavioral difficulties, it is probably best to seek a psychological evaluation. Likewise, Dr. McCabe does not conduct forensic, child custody, or court-ordered evaluations.
Populations
Dr. McCabe works with children, adolescents, and young adults who have:
Neurological or medical conditions, such as epilepsy, traumatic brain injury, concussion, brain tumor, or stroke
Genetic, congenital, or birth-related concerns, such as premature birth, cerebral palsy, or genetic conditions (e.g., neurofibromatosis, velocardiofacial syndrome, Klinefelter syndrome)
At this point, Dr. McCabe does not conduct diagnostic evaluations for autism spectrum disorders.
Evaluations for learning/educational concerns and ADHD (in the absence of a medical rationale) are not generally covered by health insurance.
Skills Evaluated
Each assessment is individually tailored, meaning the abilities evaluated depend on the child, concerns, and referral question. The following are skills that Dr. McCabe may examine:
General Presentation
Social Cognition/Interpersonal Skills
Arousal and Attention
Executive Control Processes
Intelligence
Language and Verbal Skills
Nonverbal and Visuospatial Skills
Memory
Motor Function
Emotional and Behavioral Concerns
Academic Skills
Adaptive Functioning