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When your child is diagnosed with a condition requiring neuropsychological assessment and care, the questions, acronyms, and sense of worry can seem endless — and sometimes overwhelming. Browse through the sections below for some helpful information that can give you the answers, advice, and support you're looking for.

Patient resources at Boston Children's

  • Boston Children’s Care for Children with Medical Complexity delivers essential medical care to children with birth defects, genetic disorders, and other multifaceted health care needs. Please call 617-355-6162 for more information.
  • Boston Children’s Augmentative Communication Program offers comprehensive evaluation and treatment options for children and adolescents who are either non-speaking or whose verbal speech is severely impaired. Visit the program’s webpage or call 781-216-2209 for more information.
  • Boston Children’s Behavioral Medicine Clinic helps children who are being treated on an outpatient basis at the hospital — as well as their families — understand and cope with their feelings about:
    • being sick
    • facing uncomfortable procedures
    • handling pain
    • taking medication
    • preparing for surgery
    • changes in friendships and family relationships
    • managing school while dealing with an illness
    • grief and loss
    Call 617-355-6688 to learn more.
  • The Experience Journal was designed by Boston Children’s psychiatrist-in-chief David DeMaso, MD, and members of his team. This online collection features thoughts, reflections, and advice from kids and caregivers about going through a variety of medical and emotional experiences.
  • Boston Children’s Psychiatry Consultation Service is comprised of expert and compassionate pediatric psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers, and other mental health professionals who understand the unique circumstances of hospitalized children and their families. The team provides several services, including:
    • short-term therapy for children admitted to one of our inpatient units
    • parent and sibling consultations
    • teaching healthy coping skills for the whole family
    • educating members of the medical treatment team about the relationship between physical illness and psychological distress
    The Psychiatry Consultation Service at Boston Children's Hospital works with children who have been admitted to the hospital — and their family members — and operates on a referral basis. For more information about the service, please visit the PCS web page. If you are interested in setting up an appointment, please speak to your child’s treating clinician.
  • Boston Children’s Hale Family Center for Families is dedicated to helping families locate the information and resources they need to better understand their child’s particular condition and take part in their care. All patients, families, and health professionals are welcome to use the center’s services at no extra cost. The center is open 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m . Saturdays. Please call 617-355-6279 for more information.
  • The Boston Children's Department of Spiritual Care is a source of spiritual support for parents and family members. Our program includes nearly a dozen clergy members — representing Episcopal, Jewish, Lutheran, Muslim, Roman Catholic, Unitarian, and United Church of Christ traditions — who will listen to you, pray with you, and help you observe your own faith practices during your child’s treatment.
  • Boston Children's Global Services is a dedicated resource for patients and families from countries outside the United States. The center can provide assistance with everything from reviewing medical records to setting up appointments and locating lodging. Contact the center by phone at +1-617-355-5209 or via email at international.center@childrens.harvard.edu.
  • Boston Children’s Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences offers a free booklet, “Helping Your Child with Medical Experiences: A Practical Parent Guide." Topics in the booklet include:
    • talking to your child about his or her condition
    • preparing for surgery and hospitalization
    • supporting siblings
    • taking care of yourself during your child’s illness
    • adjusting to life after treatment

More help

Please note that neither Boston Children’s Hospital nor the Neuropsychology Program at Boston Children’s unreservedly endorses all of the information found at the sites listed below. These links are provided as a resource.

Neuropsychological condition resources