Inclusive Neuropsychology: Supporting Autism, ADHD, and Learning Differences

Families often arrive in my office with years of questions. 

Some bring reports that never felt complete. Others have been told their concerns don’t fit a clear category. 

My role as a neuropsychologist is to look beyond labels and test scores, to see the whole person in front of me. That requires practicing inclusivity at every step of the process.

Why Context Matters in Evaluation

Neuropsychology is not only about measuring memory, attention, or executive functioning. These skills matter, but they do not exist in isolation. They interact with identity, environment, and lived experience. 

A child learning in more than one language may present differently than one raised in a monolingual household. An adult pursuing an autism diagnosis later in life may be reframing decades of misunderstood experiences. Inclusive evaluation means holding these contexts in mind so that results lead to recommendations that actually work in real life.

Language is part of inclusivity.

Testing can feel intimidating, but feedback should never add distance between evaluator and client. Clear, plain language allows families, educators, and individuals to understand what results mean in practice, not just in numbers. 

A score only matters if it translates into strategies someone can use in daily life.

Inclusivity also means affirming neurodiversity. Autism, ADHD, and learning differences are not simply deficits but different ways of processing the world. 

When we highlight strengths alongside challenges, clients gain language to advocate for themselves and confidence to see their abilities as assets.

Attention to cultural and gender inclusivity is equally critical. BIPOC and LGBTQIA+ clients are more likely to be under-diagnosed, misdiagnosed, or overlooked. 

Without care, bias in referrals or interpretation can prevent access to needed resources. Inclusive practice works against that by recognizing disparities and connecting clients with culturally competent supports.

At its core, inclusive neuropsychology is about dignity. No one is just a score or a label. Each evaluation should reflect the complexity of a whole person. That includes their strengths, struggles, and goals. 

Inclusivity is not an add-on. 

It is essential to ensure evaluations truly serve the people they are meant to help.

Dr. Sara Rice Schiff provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults across Northern California, specializing in autism, ADHD, executive functioning, and learning differences.