The Value of Neuropsychological Testing With Dr. Bill Stixrud

Jul 20, 2022

We are honored to have Dr. Bill Stixrud as our guest today. Dr. Stixrud is a clinical neuropsychologist and founder of the The Stixrud Group. He is the co-author of the national bestselling book, The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives. Diana and Dr. Stixrud discuss the false assumptions that self-driven children of affluent families face. They discuss the benefits of medication and other behavioral strategies for children with ADD and ADHD, as well as how neuropsych testing can help kids be more confident and successful in school. Dr. Stixrud gives advice on how parents can have high expectations yet  still allow their kids to be successful in their own  way. 

 

IN THIS EPISODE: 

 

• [01:40] What does a neuropsychologist do and what neuropsych tests tell about children  and their skills? 
• [04:03] False assumptions about self-driven children and perfect educational pathways. 
• [10:50] The balance between high expectations and high support for children to be successful. 
• [13:01] How neuropsych testing can help kids be more successful in school. 
• [16:23] Does medication for ADD and ADHD work? 
• [19:57] Other behavioral strategies for those diagnosed with ADHD. 

 

KEY TAKEAWAYS:  

 

• Many children of affluent families in high achieving schools don’t feel as close to their parents. We recommend, more than anything else, that parents spend time alone with each one of their kids. 
• Parents must balance their expectations. Express confidence in your children to let them know they can do something really interesting in this world and let them know you'll support them however you can. Don’t weigh children down with the idea that somehow there's only one path for them.
• If children are  suffering from ADD or ADHD, or it’s holding them back from being successful in school, try medication. See how it works for your child, and then decide whether to continue to use it or not. 

 

BIO: 

William R. Stixrud, Ph.D., is a clinical neuropsychologist and founder of The Stixrud Group. He is a faculty member at Children’s National Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Pediatrics at the George Washington University School of Medicine. He is  the co-author, with Ned Johnson, of the national bestselling book, The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives, and of their new book, What do You Say? Talking with Kids to Build Motivation, Stress Tolerance, and a Happy Home. Dr. Stixrud’s work has been featured in media outlets such as NPR, CNN, MSNBC, The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Times of London, The Wall Street Journal, U.S. News and World Report, Time Magazine, Scientific American, Business Week, Barron’s, and New York Magazine. He is a long-time practitioner of Transcendental Meditation, and he plays in the rock band, Close Enough. 

 

The Stixrud Group Website 

 

The Self-Driven Child Website 

 

Prep Talks Podcast Website