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Ashrika Dudeja

Mrs. Price

LA 2 Honors STEM

11 March 2020

A Study in Neurological Childcare: Pediatric Neuropsychology

Parents consider their child to be perfect in every way, regardless of their flaws and

weaknesses. Because of their disregard of such qualities and passionate defense, they sometimes

underestimate situations when their child is hurt by something out of their control. Parents often

set aside the severity of what has happened when their children experience a deviation from an

otherwise normal development. They question the evaluation by their doctors, as they are either

unable to listen or process it. The job of a pediatric neuropsychologist is to identify the cognitive

disorder in children in relation to their brain activity and ensure that they get the treatment

necessary to live a stronger, healthier life. The branch of psychology works towards the care of

children with learning disabilities and the examination of how these disorders relate to the child’s

personality, emotions, behavior, and mental health. Pediatric neuropsychologists focus on

understanding and comprehending why a child is having cognitive problems in school or at

home. Pediatric neuropsychology is a rewarding yet crucial career evaluating and caring for

children’s cognitive, behavioral, and social-emotional needs, while involving an immense

amount of dedication to overcome various challenges in the field.

An in-depth education along with the exhibition of numerous social and conventional

qualities is a prerequisite for a career in pediatric neuropsychology. To be a pediatric

neuropsychologist, one has to be socially, emotionally, and interactively trained. Doctors in this
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career work with pediatric patients to conduct evaluations based on intelligence, academic

ability, attention, and concentration to name a few. In order to make an evaluation, a

neuropsychologist needs to be able to process and analyze information and make accurate

decisions to solve problems (“Pediatric Neuropsychologist Career”). This involves establishing

and maintaining interpersonal relationships with the child and assisting and caring for them in

any way required. Pediatric neuropsychology demands a great deal of hard work and training

with many hours spent studying brain functions, brain anatomy, and neurological injury and

disease. After the mandatory 12 years of education, medical students need to obtain a bachelor’s

degree from a fully accredited college or university and must further their education to receive a

doctorate. This degree could be of any field closely related to the career including psychology,

biology, neuroscience. A master’s degree in neuropsychology is not necessary unless it is a

prerequisite for acceptance into a specific doctoral program. Some undergraduate programs an

aspiring neuropsychologist can take cover psychology or neuroscience. The next stop in the

educational road would be to obtain a doctorate in either neuropsychology or clinical

neuropsychology, allowing one to specialize in neuropsychology later on (Torrance). The

doctorate demands anywhere from three to seven years of additional formal education where

students will learn how to administer and evaluate tests for brain dysfunction. As a part of this

overall education, an internship, where students will work alongside neuropsychologists who

will guide and supervise, allowing the intern to practice and get a real world experience under a

watchful eye is essential. In order to be able to practice and become a certified

neuropsychologist, a state license is obligatory (“Neuropsychology Degrees & Careers”). Each

state has its own requirements, but most of them mandate a graduation from a doctoral program
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and a certain amount of practical experience. To become board certified, a neuropsychologist has

to undergo several years of postdoctoral experience where they treat basic patients and shadow

doctors. Being board certified is not necessary, however it is useful in regards to credibility when

looking for potential job opportunities. In comprehensive terms, with a precise education and

caliber, neuropsychology can be a worthwhile career.

While the field of pediatric neuropsychology is not very well versed yet, it is a drastically

expanding and challenging career. For example, an aspiring neuropsychologist must conduct a

neuropsych evaluation using standardized tests and procedures to examine and determine

thinking, behavior, and social-emotional function. These evaluations test intelligence, problem

solving, planning and organization, and attention and memory along with many others

(“Pediatric Neuropsychology”). Although it comes with many challenges, this career has a bright

future, with the job outlook of the career expected to increase by 14.2% between 2016 and 2026

(“Clinical Neuropsychology Degree”). An increase in the job prospect will lead to approximately

2,100 new jobs each year, as there is less than a 1% chance of this industry becoming

computerized despite the increasing use of technology. The overall annual salary of a pediatric

neuropsychologist is $89,000 which can vary from about $65,000 up to about $100,000

depending on the type of specialization and the need for the job in the area. Neuropsychologists

are guaranteed a stable income even though they are not commonly known among society. The

median salary of the career is influenced by the number of years of experience the doctor has as

well as their success rate. The challenges of pediatric neuropsychology and the diversity of the

career are influential in making a decision about occupation.

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While there may be shortcomings associated with this career, there are many appealing

and worthwhile benefits that come with it. Neuropsychology is a rewarding career that allows

doctors to treat patients with numerous conditions such as ADHD, brain tumors, Down

syndrome, autism and similar ailments existing in children. Other neurologists have specialized

training and years of experience to treat movement disorders such as Tourette’s and

neuromuscular disorders such as muscular dystrophy (“Pediatric Neurology - Hackensack”). One

of the most worthwhile reasons to be a part of this field is the satisfaction felt after receiving

gratification from patients who have been treated. There are a number of career and research

opportunities associated with pediatric neuropsychology. Research is a big part of today’s world

and the testing and assessment of the inner workings of the human mind are furthering the

career. Through the increasing advancement in the field, pediatric neuropsychologists are not

confined to work at one location. They work in laboratories at universities, government agencies

or private organizations, including hospitals (“What Is a Child Neurologist?”). In terms of

advancement, pediatric neuropsychology is a unique career that brings new concepts to the

table.

A child neuropsychologist is a doctor who diagnoses, treats, and manages a child’s

nervous system. These problems most commonly lead to development delays, seizures, or

headaches. They evaluate these behaviors based on a link between the brain and the habits. In

order to conduct these evaluations, a neuropsychologist must exhibit social skills. They need to

be able to provide personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, and other personal

care to patients. The career is exponentially increasing in terms of job outlook and the challenges

of the career itself. Although this medical career also comes with many shortcomings, they can
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all be overlooked by the benefits and rewards of the career. Pediatric neuropsychology is an

expanding field of study, treating children for the challenges they may face in their daily life.

Through much research it is now understood that various parts of the brain are responsible for

such neurological disorders and brain injuries. Current knowledge of such disorders and brain

functions can lead to future advancements in this field of study. Predominantly, an expansion of

this career can aid many children who struggle to cope with such problems in society. This

rewarding career is therapeutic to children who have faced these challenges throughout their

childhood and will help their quality of life in many ways. The goal is to give them the same

value in life as everyone else and effectuate an undemanding and carefree life.
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Works Cited

“Clinical Neuropsychology Degree and Career Guide.” Psychology Degree 411,

www.psychologydegree411.com/degrees/neuropsychology/.MyMajors.com.

“Pediatric Neuropsychologist Career.” Pediatric Neuropsychologist Career

Information and College Majors,

www.mymajors.com/career/pediatric-neuropsychologist/​.

“Neuropsychology Careers.” CareersinPsychology.org,

careersinpsychology.org/becoming-a-neuropsychologist/.

“Pediatric Neurology - Hackensack University Medical Center.” Hackensack UMC,

www.hackensackumc.org/services/pediatrics/pediatric-services/pediatric-neuro

logy/​.

“Pediatric Neuropsychology.” AACN, theaacn.org/pediatric-neuropsychology/.

Torrance, Megan. “What Are the Benefits of Neuropsychology As a Career?”

Chron.com, 21 Nov. 2017,

work.chron.com/benefits-neuropsychology-career-30002.html.

“What Is a Child Neurologist?” HealthyChildren.org,

www.healthychildren.org/English/family-life/health-management/pediatric-sp

cialists/Pages/What-is-a-Child-Neurologist.aspx​.

Writers, Staff. “Neuropsychology Degrees & Careers: How to Become a

Neuropsychologist.” LearnHowToBecome.org, LearnHowToBecome.org, 21

Apr. 2019, ​www.learnhowtobecome.org/psychologist/neuropsychologist/​.

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