EP58. What exactly is neuropsychology and how can it help? A Q&A with Dr. V and Neuropsychologist Dr. Kayleigh Hale

What does neuropsych testing actually reveal about your brain? In this episode, neuropsychologist Dr. Kayleigh Hale and Dr. Victoria Ranade explore how neuropsychological testing can help children, teens, and adults understand ADHD, anxiety, neurodivergence, and masking — and why a strengths-based, neurodiversity-affirming approach changes everything. Whether you're a parent wondering if your child needs testing, a woman navigating a late ADHD diagnosis, or someone who's been masking without realizing it, this conversation will help you understand what testing can do and why it matters.**Dr. Kayleigh Hale is a neuropsychologist, licensed clinical psychologist, and the Director of Testing and Assessment at Hope+Wellness. She specializes in comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for children, adolescents, and adults, with a deep passion for neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based assessment. As a parent of neurodivergent children herself, she brings both professional expertise and personal understanding to her work, helping people understand their brains, find clarity, and come home to themselves. https://www.hope-wellness.com/-dr-kayleigh-hale***0:00 Introduction3:00 What is neuropsychological testing5:00 Types of assessments explained7:00 Neuropsych vs psychoeducational evaluation9:00 ADHD and anxiety: why they look alike11:00 School testing vs private neuropsych13:00 When to get a diagnosis: ADHD, autism, dyslexia15:00 Neurodiversity-affirming, strengths-based approach17:00 Discovering your child's gifts through testing19:00 You're not broken: compassion in feedback20:00 High-masking women and neurodivergence24:00 Early intervention and why it matters27:00 Brief vs comprehensive evaluation29:00 Testing for adults and self-understanding32:00 Strategies and recommendations from a neuropsych report35:00 How to choose the right neuropsychologist39:00 AI and the future of neuropsych testing40:00 How to refer someone for testing43:00 Is neuropsych testing worth the investment46:00 Why comprehensive testing catches what brief testing misses49:00 Testing for depression and anxiety in children51:00 Accommodations and documentation from a neuropsych report54:00 Limitations of testing and cultural competence56:00 Neurodivergent women: masking and self-acceptance58:00 How masking goes unnoticed1:00:00 Coming home to yourself through testing1:03:00 Why institutions aren't designed for neurodiverse brains1:06:00 Masking vs social skills adaptation1:07:00 Resources for neurodivergent parents and adults***CONNECTinnercalling Podcast Website: www.innercalling.orgDr. Victoria Ranade: www.victoriaranade.comIG: https://www.instagram.com/drvictoriaranadeHope+Wellness: Kind, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Mental Health Care: https://www.hope-wellness.com* * * *WHAT IS INNERCALLING?innercalling is a podcast dedicated to the belief that there is a light inside you of profound power, beauty, and wisdom that no darkness can ever overcome. It's a space where mental health meets spirituality, and explore timeless questions about existence, mortality, and what it deeply means to be human.Hosted by Dr. Victoria Ranade, PhD, MBA, ABPP, conversations feature real, organic conversation between two humans, inspired by the field of mental health & clinical psychology, which values what happens simply when two people sit together and talk about life and all its beauty and complications.WHO IS DR. VICTORIA? Hi there, I'm Dr. Victoria Ranade. I'm a board certified licensed clinical psychologist, writer, and podcaster deeply passionate about mental health, spirituality, integrative wellness, and honoring the light inside you — the one that no darkness can ever overcome. Fun fact: You're one of my greatest inspirations.✌🏼💛I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU. SEND ME ANY MAIL OR QUESTIONS HERE:[email protected] Disclaimer: https://innercalling.org/disclaimer Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.