The role of neuropsychological assessment in the investigation of neurodevelopmental disorders.

This review looks at how neuropsychological testing helps identify and understand neurodevelopmental conditions like ADHD, autism, and learning difficulties in children. The testing involves detailed assessments of thinking skills and behavior, followed by feedback sessions to help parents understand the results. Early testing can lead to better outcomes by identifying problems sooner and guiding appropriate support and interventions.

This critical review examines the role of neuropsychological assessment (NA) in investigating neurodevelopmental disorders, particularly ADHD, autism spectrum disorder, and specific learning disorders. The authors highlight NA as a central tool for early identification of neurodevelopmental alterations, contributing to both diagnosis and intervention planning. The assessment process involves systematic steps including detailed history-taking, standardized testing, and behavioral analysis across multiple cognitive domains. The review emphasizes the importance of feedback sessions for parents to understand results and adhere to recommendations.

Based on national and international literature plus clinical experience, the authors conclude that early NA use can improve prognosis and promote better functional, academic, and socioemotional outcomes for children with neurodevelopmental disorders.

Neuropsychological assessment should be considered an essential component of pediatric neurodevelopmental evaluation. Early implementation can guide diagnostic decisions and intervention planning. The systematic feedback process is crucial for parent understanding and treatment adherence, potentially improving long-term outcomes across functional, academic, and socioemotional domains.

As a critical review without specified methodology or systematic search strategy, this study may be subject to selection bias. The inclusion of authors' clinical experience, while valuable, introduces subjective elements. No sample size or specific outcome measures are reported, limiting quantitative assessment of evidence quality.

The present study aims to present and discuss the role of neuropsychological assessment (NA) in the investigation of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), with an emphasis on early diagnosis, on the steps that make up the evaluation process, and on the resources that complement clinical evaluation. Furthermore, the discussion is expanded to specific conditions, such as Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD), considering that they represent frequent assessment demands. A critical review of the national and international literature on neuropsychological assessment in NDDs was carried out, highlighting standardized instruments for the Brazilian context, complementary clinical tasks, and main cognitive and behavioral domains. References to essential books and manuals were included, with analysis enriched by the authors' clinical and teaching experience.

NA constitutes a central tool for the early identification of alterations in neurodevelopment, with contributions to diagnosis and to the definition of intervention strategies. The process involves systematic steps, such as detailed anamnesis, application of standardized tests, and behavior analysis, covering different domains. The feedback, the final stage of the process, is essential for the understanding of the results and for adhering to the suggested procedures, and it should guide parents on practical implications, therapeutic and educational recommendations, and necessary referrals. NA represents an essential resource in pediatric practice, both for diagnostic support and for directing interventions and monitoring the progress of children with NDDs.

Its early use can modify the prognosis and promote better functional, academic, and socioemotional outcomes.