Neuropsychologist OR Psychologist?

[mykids]

When looking for an evaluation/diagnosis outside of school, is it best to go to a Neuropsychologist or a Psychologists? And anything specific I need to be looking for when searching for the Dr.? I have made an appointment with a Neurologist which was referred to by Gen. Dr. but I don't think they do assessments.
I am hoping to get additional input on where he struggles. I think it would be good for my son to speak with someone outside of school or to get input from outside of school to get an understanding of what he can do for himself. It also may be good to get an official diagnosis so that he has something to refer to when advocating for himself and to help him understand/accept his obstacles. It is very obvious that school just does not know how to teach him. I continue to get very different information on what level he is working at, tutors say one thing, teachers say another.
He is 10th grade, 16 years old at this time.
Thanks for any information.

[bros]

A neuropsychologist would be best for an overall test.

Neurologist would deal with any issues with the brain, such as anything related to OT, some also deal with LDs/ADHD/ASD

[healthy11]

Based on the experience we had with our son, I'm doubting a neurologist will be very helpful, unless you think there might be some type of seizure disorder or brain abnormality that's behind your son's issues. General ADHD/LD concerns aren't usually a neurologist's forte. (In fact, the guy we saw asked, "Why are you wasting my time?")

When was the last time your son was evaluated by his public school? In any case, if you don't want to bother waiting for that, and then requesting an IEE at the district's expense, I would try to set up a private psychoeducational evaluation. www.iser.com/psychoed-evaluations.html

Also, I'm not sure where you can find a good cognitive psychologist in your area, but Millermom member Jisp's son benefitted tremendously by seeing one, in just the ways you're hoping. Please read Jisp's comments in this discussion, especially on April 18th: millermom.proboards.com/thread/13814/help-kids-homework?page=2

[bros]

My first neurologist was really helpful, but he was a bit of an... abnormality amongst neurologists - and is known throughout NJ by people in various fields of medicine and at various schools & institutions. He *really* enjoyed the study of LDs/ADHD/Learning Disabilities, along with the genetic factors of epilepsy. He was the one who first diagnosed me with Dysgraphia - one of the few doctors to know what it is. A visit with a neurologist won't hurt anyone - a baseline MRI might be useful just to have just because, why not? If insurance covers it, get it.

[mykids]

I agree a neurologist probably will not be very helpful as we, including his doctor, do not suspect abnormality in the brain and he does not have seizures, but as bros said it won't hurt. I am going thru my insurance so I have to keep to the list which is quite long but does not list anyone who's main focus is on learning disabilities. They all cover other areas as well. I hope the doctor doesn't ask why I am wasting his time but if he does I guess I can point to HMO because that is how they work. Go to Gen. Dr. they refer you to someone else, etc..

The last time he was tested with school was almost 1 year ago. I know if I were to ask for an IEE they would want to just retest him and that would be a complete waste of time. I am sure we could have the very best evaluation/information and the school will still not know what to do with it and will not know how to teach this kid. They have given me no reason to believe they know how to teach LD kids and every reason to believe that they don't know how to teach LD kids.

This evaluation is not for the school, they would not know what to do with it anyway, other than filing it away and then I am not confident they would even file it in the correct drawer. It is for my son, so he hopefully can get name put to his struggles, a better understanding, and get information from outside of school, from a respectable place & person, someone he has faith in, because he knows that school does not know what they are doing and how to help.

Yes, I will share with school, but I don't expect anything good to come of it because they don't know how or don't care to teach, I think it's a little of both.

Sorry about the rant.

I'm going to focus on the neurosychologist.

[bros]

Google neurologists that are covered by your insurance - they may have websites or other pages that state what they specialize in.

[healthy11]

If I recall correctly, you're in California....The website I mentioned above lists a lot of different people for psychoeducational evaluations; perhaps you can see if any cross-reference with your insurance? www.iser.com/CAassess.html