“My child can read… but doesn’t understand what they just read.” This is something many parents notice—and it can be confusing. A child may read fluently, move through text at grade level, and still struggle to explain what happened, answer questions, or remember key details. They may reread the same sentence multiple times…get to the end of a page and feel lost…or avoid reading altogether because it feels frustrating. When this happens, the question becomes: Is this a readin

When parents seek a neuropsychological evaluation, it’s often because something feels hard. Maybe learning isn’t coming easily. Maybe attention, behavior, or emotions feel more challenging than expected. Maybe there are more questions than answers. It ’s natural to focus on what’s not working. But that’s only part of the story. A neuropsychological evaluation is not just about identifying challenges—it’s about understanding the whole child , including the strengths that may

“Math just seems harder than it should be.” This is something many parents notice over time. A child may keep up in class, try their best, and complete their work—but math continues to feel confusing, inconsistent, or frustrating. Skills don’t seem to stick the way they do for other subjects, and even with practice, progress can feel slow. Homework may take longer than expected. Simple problems may require extra effort. Frustration can build. If this sounds familiar, it may n

Concussions are one of the most common head injuries in children and adolescents, particularly during sports, recreational activities, and everyday play. Hearing the words brain injury  can understandably feel concerning for families. The reassuring news is that most children recover well after a concussion , especially when symptoms are recognized early and recovery is supported with appropriate pacing. Understanding what a concussion is—and how it may affect learning, behav

A parent-friendly look at how results become real-life understanding and support When families first reach out about a neuropsychological evaluation, they often have one central question: “What will this actually tell us about our child?” It’s a thoughtful question — and an important one. While an evaluation includes testing, the true goal isn’t simply to generate scores. The goal is understanding. Understanding how your child learns, thinks, regulates emotions, interacts wit

When families hear the words “neuropsychological evaluation,”  they often imagine long testing days, pressure-filled tasks, or something that feels intimidating—especially for very young children. In reality, neuropsychological evaluations for toddlers and preschoolers look very different than evaluations for adults. For children ages 2–5, evaluations are developmentally appropriate, play-based, and child-centered , designed to understand how  a child is learning and developi

Many parents notice patterns in their child’s learning that feel confusing or frustrating. A child may clearly understand concepts but struggle to finish homework, forget instructions soon after hearing them, or need extra time to respond to questions. These challenges are often mistaken for lack of effort or motivation. In reality, they are frequently connected to differences in working memory  or processing speed , two important brain-based skills that influence how childre

In the swirl of modern family life — early alarms, lunch boxes, work deadlines, driving to activities, and bedtime routines — it’s easy for parents to feel stretched thin. Many parents tell us they wish they could spend “more quality time” with their kids but don’t know where to find it. The reassuring truth is this: connection isn’t built in big, picture-perfect moments — it’s built in the small, consistent interactions we share every day. At Devonshire Pediatric Neuropsycho

Parents often come to us at Devonshire Pediatric Neuropsychology  with a very real, very understandable question:   “My child can’t focus. Is this ADHD…or anxiety?”   The confusing part is that ADHD and anxiety can look very similar on the surface . Both can cause trouble paying attention, forgetfulness, and “zoning out” in school. But underneath, the reasons can be very different—and so are the supports that help.   What Is ADHD in Children? Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity D

When a child is born prematurely or experiences medical complications around birth, families are often focused on the immediate concerns — breathing, feeding, growth, and early survival. For many children, early medical challenges resolve beautifully. For others, subtle effects may not become noticeable until later in development, when expectations for learning, attention, or emotional regulation increase. This post is meant to help families understand possible long-term deve

The holidays are often described as magical, but for many children they can also feel overwhelming. Bright lights, loud gatherings, disrupted routines, sugary treats, excitement, anticipation, and last-minute transitions all place extra demands on a child’s nervous system. Even joyful events can be exhausting for kids, especially those who are more sensitive, anxious, neurodivergent, or easily overstimulated. If your child becomes more emotional, energetic, clingy, or “out of

Is a Neuropsychological Evaluation Worth the Cost? A Parent-Friendly Cost–Benefit Guide for Chicago Families When your child is struggling in school, it’s natural to wonder where to start — tutoring? More meetings with the teacher? Extra practice at home? For many Chicago families, the path to answers feels long, confusing, and stressful. For many families, a neuropsychological evaluation becomes the turning point that transforms frustration into clarity and progress. Here’s

Holiday concerts, assemblies, and classroom performances are often joyful traditions—but for many children, being asked to perform in front of others can be overwhelming rather than exciting. Loud spaces, unpredictable schedules, bright lights, social expectations, and performance pressure can push some children beyond their capacity to stay regulated. Supporting children through holiday performances doesn’t mean lowering expectations or removing opportunities—it means honori

Board games extend learning beyond the classroom and build attention and regulation skills! In today’s busy world, finding simple, meaningful ways to build your child’s skills can feel like a challenge. But what if one of the most effective tools for learning and growth is already sitting in your closet? Enter: the humble board game. Not only are board games fun and screen-free, they’re also powerful learning tools that can support your child’s development in countless ways.

Dear Parent,   If you're reading this, it likely means you're standing at the beginning of a journey you didn’t expect — one filled with questions, hopes, and probably some worries too. You might be wondering if something more is going on beneath your child’s struggles with school, behavior, attention, or learning. Maybe you’ve been hearing phrases like “executive functioning” or “processing speed” for the first time. Maybe you’ve been told your child is “bright but inconsist

Girls with ADHD often fly under the radar, but their challenges are real. With the right understanding and support, they can unlock their strengths and reach their full potential. When most people think of ADHD, they picture a child who can’t sit still, interrupts constantly, or blurts out answers in class. But for many girls with ADHD, the picture looks very different. Their symptoms can be quieter, more internalized, and easier to overlook — even by caring parents and teach

Parent–teacher conferences are a wonderful opportunity to hear how your child is doing at school, both academically and socially. Beyond reviewing grades, these conversations can give you important clues about your child’s learning style, attention skills, and emotional well-being. Asking the right questions can help you better understand your child’s strengths and identify potential challenges. Be sure to talk to your child after the conversation to celebrate successes and m

Getting out the door in the morning. Turning off the iPad for homework. Leaving the playground. For many families, these everyday moments can become some of the toughest parts of the day. If your child resists transitions — sometimes with tears, yelling, or total shutdown — you’re not alone. These challenges are common, especially among children with ADHD, autism, learning differences, or executive functioning difficulties. It is important to understand it’s not  about stubbo

Imagine this: A fourth-grade class sits down to write a short story. The teacher gives the prompt: “Write a story about a character who...

Many parents of children with ADHD notice a daily pattern: things go fairly well at school, but as soon as their child comes home, the meltdowns begin. This “after school crash” is common and can be exhausting for families. Understanding why it happens—and having strategies to ease the transition—can make afternoons calmer and more positive for everyone. Why Do Afterschool Meltdowns Happen? Children with ADHD often spend the school day working extra hard to focus, follow dire