Inside My Approach to Neuropsychological Assessment
The Beyond the Scores Approach – by Dani Siderowitz
When people come to me for a neuropsychological assessment, whether for themselves or their child, they’re often carrying more than just referral paperwork. They bring years of questions, worry, and the frustration of not having clear answers. Many have already seen other professionals, trialled different interventions, or even had a previous assessment. Still, they may have been handed a diagnosis, a set of scores, and no real understanding of what’s going on or how to move forward.
That’s exactly why I developed the Beyond the Scores Approach - my signature framework at The Neurodevelopment Clinic. I believe a neuropsychological assessment should do more than confirm a diagnosis. It should provide meaningful insight and a clear direction. People should leave feeling informed and empowered.
Why Test Scores Alone Aren’t Enough
Standardised testing is an essential part of any comprehensive assessment. It helps identify strengths, learning difficulties, and cognitive patterns by comparing performance to age-based expectations.
But real life rarely fits into neat categories.
I’ve worked with adults who perform well on memory tasks in a quiet clinic room, yet they struggle to manage daily responsibilities at work or home. I’ve also assessed children who look perfectly average on paper but find school overwhelming, unstructured classrooms dysregulating, and everyday instructions difficult to follow.
The gap between test results and real-world functioning matters. Without understanding the full picture, important diagnoses like autism or ADHD can be missed. Support strategies may not be effective.
What a Neuropsychological Assessment Should Offer
1. A Personalised, Flexible Process
No two people are the same. That’s why I don’t follow a rigid checklist. I tailor each assessment to the individual in front of me. This may be a six-year-old who masks at school, a teenager experiencing emotional dysregulation, or an adult questioning whether lifelong anxiety might actually be autism. I listen carefully, adapt my methods, and focus on understanding the whole person rather than just their scores.
2. Insight Into the “Why”
It’s not enough to identify what’s difficult. I aim to uncover why it’s difficult.
That means exploring:
Executive functioning, such as organisation, planning, and self-monitoring
Attention and working memory
Sensory processing
Emotional regulation
Learning differences
Social cognition and self-awareness
These insights are essential. They shift the focus from “what’s wrong?” to “what’s underneath?” They allow for more empathy, better support, and often a genuine sense of relief.
3. A Clear Path Forward
Whether the outcome is a diagnosis of ADHD, autism, a specific learning disorder - or no diagnosis at all - my role doesn’t end with the report.
For children, I provide school-based recommendations, NDIS support, and referrals to allied health professionals where appropriate. For adults, I offer practical guidance around workplace adjustments, therapy options, coaching, and strategies to manage daily life. There’s no generic advice. Everything is tailored, practical, and easy to understand without clinical jargon.
Why Beyond the Scores Matters
A neuropsychological assessment has the power to shift how someone sees themselves. It can explain patterns that once felt confusing, reframe past struggles, and open up new ways of approaching daily life.
That’s what the Beyond the Scores Approach is about - not just answering questions but helping people make sense of the answers in a way that’s useful, empowering, and grounded in who they really are.
Want to Learn More?
Do you want to know more about the assessment, like how long it takes or what kinds of tasks are used?
Visit our Frequently Asked Questions page for practical details about the process.
If you’re wondering whether a neuropsychological assessment could help you or your child, I’d love to support you.
👉 Get in touch to learn more or book an appointment.
