Neurodevelopmental Evaluations in Newton

Your young child isn't meeting expected developmental milestones. Perhaps your pediatrician has expressed concerns about delays in speech, motor skills, or social development. Newton Neuropsychology Group provides comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluations for young children throughout Newton and the greater Boston area. We specialize in early assessment to support timely intervention during critical developmental periods.

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When Memory Problems Interfere With Life

You might notice your child isn't talking as much as other children their age. Perhaps motor skills seem delayed or your child doesn't engage socially like peers. Maybe multiple small concerns add up to significant worry. These observations can leave you uncertain whether to be concerned or wait to see if your child catches up.


Developmental concerns create significant anxiety for parents:


  • You might feel worried about whether delays indicate serious conditions or will resolve naturally
  • You may experience guilt wondering if you caused delays or missed opportunities for earlier intervention
  • You could feel overwhelmed by advice from friends, family, and internet sources offering conflicting information
  • You might struggle knowing when concern is warranted versus when you're worrying unnecessarily



At Newton Neuropsychology Group, we understand that early identification of developmental delays leads to better outcomes. Our specialized evaluations for young children identify delays, disabilities, or disorders so intervention can begin during critical developmental windows.

Understanding Early Childhood Assessment

A neurodevelopmental assessment is a comprehensive evaluation measuring and analyzing cognitive, emotional, social, and physical development. For young children, this assessment uses standardized tests, observational methods, and interviews with parents or caregivers to identify developmental delays, learning disabilities, or neurodevelopmental disorders.


The goal is understanding your child's developmental strengths and challenges, guiding interventions, and supporting overall development and wellbeing. Early detection matters tremendously because the brain's neuroplasticity, and its ability to form new connections, is highest in early childhood, making this a critical window for intervention.


Neurodevelopmental evaluations assess multiple domains:


  • Cognitive development includes problem-solving, reasoning, attention, and memory appropriate for age.
  • Language development encompasses both understanding language (receptive) and using language to communicate (expressive).
  • Motor development includes both gross motor skills like walking and running, and fine motor skills like grasping and manipulating objects.
  • Social-emotional development involves interaction with caregivers and peers, emotional regulation, and social reciprocity.
  • Adaptive functioning measures daily living skills like feeding, dressing, and toileting appropriate for age.


At Newton Neuropsychology Group, we offer neurodevelopmental evaluations for children as young as 12 months. We believe that early detection and initiation of early intervention is paramount.

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Specialized Expertise in Early Childhood Assessment

Our clinicians have specialized training in evaluating very young children using developmentally appropriate tools and observation methods. Assessment of infants and toddlers requires different approaches than evaluation of older children, we use play-based assessment, parent-child interaction observation, and measures designed specifically for early childhood.


We understand typical developmental trajectories and can differentiate between variations in normal development versus delays requiring intervention. Some children develop skills in different sequences or timeframes while still falling within normal range. Others show patterns indicating need for support. Our expertise allows accurate differentiation

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For families with young children showing possible developmental concerns, we offer fast-track evaluation options. We try to complete evaluations within a few weeks from initial contact with our practice. This prompt assessment is especially important for children under age four, when early intervention programs can have the most significant impact.

Early identification allows earlier access to intervention services.


Research consistently shows that children who receive support services earlier tend to have better developmental outcomes than those who start intervention later. Our goal is helping families access support during the critical early childhood period.

What Early Assessment Provides

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Early Identification

Identify developmental delays or disorders as early as possible so intervention can begin during critical windows when the brain is most responsive to support.

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Access to Services

Formal documentation of developmental delays establishes eligibility for early intervention services, special education preschool programs, and therapies covered by insurance.

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Understanding Your Child

Receive clear explanation of your child's developmental profile, both strengths and areas needing support. This understanding helps you respond to your child's needs appropriately.

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Guidance for Families

Learn strategies to support your child's development at home. Early intervention isn't just formal services, it includes how families interact with and support their children daily.

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Peace of Mind

For some families, evaluation reveals that development falls within normal range despite concerns, providing reassurance. For others, identification provides relief at finally understanding concerns and accessing help.

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Moving Forward With or Without Early Intervention

Without early evaluation and intervention, developmental delays may widen over time. Children who don't receive support during critical early periods often face more significant challenges later. Social difficulties may increase. Academic readiness suffers. Self-esteem problems can develop as children recognize they can't do things peers can do.



With early evaluation and intervention, outcomes improve significantly. Children who receive support services before age three show greater gains in communication, cognitive abilities, and social skills compared to those starting intervention later. Developmental gaps often narrow. Children enter school better prepared. Many children who receive early intervention require less intensive support later.


Our evaluation provides the documentation needed to access early intervention services quickly. You'll understand your child's developmental profile and receive specific recommendations for supporting development at home and through formal services.

Support Your Child's Development Early

If your young child shows delays in speech, motor skills, social interaction, or other developmental areas, comprehensive evaluation can identify concerns and connect you with early intervention services. We serve families throughout Newton and the greater Boston area.

Our specialized neurodevelopmental evaluations for children as young as 12 months support timely intervention.

How We Assess Young Children

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Parent Interview and Developmental History

We meet with parents for approximately one hour to understand pregnancy and birth history, developmental milestones achieved, current abilities and concerns, family history, and medical history. This conversation provides essential context for interpreting test results and observations. We discuss what you've noticed about your child's development and what specific questions you want evaluation to answer.

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Developmental Testing and Observation

We conduct assessment using standardized measures designed for young children. Evaluation is play-based and developmentally appropriate. Testing typically takes two to four hours depending on your child's age and cooperation. We can split evaluation across multiple shorter sessions if needed. We assess cognitive development, language, motor skills, social-emotional functioning, and adaptive behavior. We observe parent-child interaction and your child's play skills.

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Results and Early Intervention Planning

Once evaluation is complete, we schedule feedback to discuss findings. We explain your child's developmental profile, identify any delays or disorders present, and provide specific recommendations. These include referrals to early intervention programs, therapy services (speech, occupational, physical), strategies to support development at home, and guidance for monitoring progress. You receive a comprehensive written report that supports access to services.

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Expedited Evaluation When Early Intervention Matters

For children ages zero to four, we fast-track evaluations in our specialized program. We try to complete the evaluation within a few weeks from initial point of contact with our practice. For very young children, we can sometimes complete intake and testing on the same day when appropriate and when schedules allow.


This expedited approach recognizes that timing matters tremendously in early childhood. Every month of delay in accessing intervention services represents lost opportunity during critical developmental periods. The earlier children access support, the better their outcomes tend to be.


Fast-track scheduling prioritizes young children so families don't spend months on waiting lists while their child's brain development continues.


The same comprehensive assessment is conducted, fast-track simply reduces the time between initial contact and completion of evaluation so intervention can begin sooner.

Common Questions About Neurodevelopmental Evaluation

  • At what age can my child be evaluated?

    We evaluate children as young as 12 months when significant developmental concerns are present. Earlier evaluation allows earlier intervention, which typically produces better outcomes.

  • What if my child won't cooperate with testing?

    We have extensive experience evaluating young children who may be hesitant or have difficulty with structured tasks. Assessment for very young children is play-based and flexible. Parent interviews and observations provide valuable information regardless of your child's cooperation with formal testing.

  • Will evaluation label my child?

    Evaluation provides understanding and access to services. When delays or disorders are identified, documentation allows your child to receive early intervention and special education services they need. Many parents describe relief at finally having explanation for concerns.

  • What happens after evaluation?

    We provide referrals to appropriate services based on findings. This may include early intervention programs (birth to three), special education preschool (ages three to five), speech therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, or medical follow-up. We help you navigate accessing these services.

Early Identification Changes Outcomes

Developmental delays respond best to early intervention. Comprehensive neurodevelopmental evaluation identifies concerns so support can begin during critical early childhood years. Newton Neuropsychology Group serves families throughout Newton and the greater Boston area.