Neuropsychology consultation to identify learning disorders in children and adolescents: a proposal based on lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic

ABSTRACT

Learning disorders are common neurodevelopmental conditions, occurring both idiopathically and in the context of other medical conditions. They are frequently comorbid with other neurodevelopmental and psychiatric conditions. Delayed identification and treatment have been associated with significant negative psychosocial consequences. The need for pediatric neuropsychologists to efficiently screen for learning disorders is likely to increase in the months and years following the COVID-19 pandemic, which has severely disrupted access to educational services, especially for children who also face racial and economic disparities. In this paper, we describe a consultation model that can be used to screen for learning disorders and can be completed using both in-person and telemedicine visits. Implementation may result in earlier intervention for struggling children, increase access to neuropsychological services without increasing wait times for comprehensive evaluations, and provide opportunities for collaborations with other health professionals (e.g., pediatricians, therapists, psychiatrists, and neurologists).

KEYWORDS:

• Learning disabilities
• learning disorders
• neuropsychology
• COVID-19
• special education
• telemedicine

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank our administrative support team for their support and flexibility as we adapted our practice model to meet the needs of the COVID-19 pandemic, including Darlene Maggio, Megan Murray, and Kylie Patrick. We also wish to thank our trainees for their intrepid spirits and assistance as we made the transition to telehealth, including Dr. Amy Balko, Dr. Charles Cederberg, Dr. Kate Terrell, Dr. Allison White, Ms. Agnes Chung, and Ms. Deanna Toner.

Disclosure statement

Dr. Colvin has received travel support and honoraria from Parent Project Muscular Dystrophy (PPMD), Tourette Syndrome Association (TSA), and Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA)to speak to patients, families, and researchers. She has also received honoraria from the American Academy of Pediatrics to speak with peers about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, and the American Psychological Association to speak with peers about the impact of educational disruption during the COVID-19 pandemic on children and adolescents. Dr. Braaten receives book royalties from Guilford Press and Sage Publications and is on the board of Magination Press. All other authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.