My Mother Would Say, “I told you so!”
My mom was so proud of “her daughter the doctor,” but she’d get a good laugh out of how often sleep now becomes part of the conversation with the people who come through my door. As a high schooler I was involved in all the clubs, played year-round sports, and was the queen of procrastination. […]
Admissions Testing Without the Stress: A Warm Welcome to Learning (Updated Summer 2026)
The word testing doesn’t always bring a smile. For many adults, it stirs up memories of filling in bubbles or staring at long exams. Not exactly fun. So, when parents learn that their young child needs to complete an admissions test before entering school or transferring, it’s natural for the idea to feel a little […]
School Start Times and a Call to Action
In early June, Charlotte Observer writer Théoden Janes reported on the tragic deaths of Myers Park High School students and the ongoing difficult but necessary conversations about adolescent mental health. Parents, educators, healthcare providers, and community leaders are asking important questions about depression, anxiety, stress, and suicide. My Op-Ed in response was published in the […]
Why a “Comprehensive Evaluation” Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All (and Why It Costs What It Does)
When families call our office requesting a comprehensive evaluation of their minor child, it’s almost always because something deeply important is at stake. Maybe a child is struggling with reading, attention, or social-emotional/behavioral functioning, or a medical concern. Maybe there are multiple areas of concern and you’re trying to understand the whole picture. Sometimes the […]
Choosing Wisely: 12 Questions to Help You Find the Right Evaluator
A guide for families seeking clarity, collaboration, and the right professional fit. Families often ask what they should consider before scheduling an evaluation. While cost and convenience are important, the right fit depends on the evaluator’s training, process, and collaboration style. This guide outlines key questions to help you make an informed, confident choice. Level […]
Solving the Puzzle Without Missing Pieces
A Strengths-Based, Whole-Child Approach to Testing A family friend recently reached out to me about testing for their third-grade daughter. She’s been receiving excellent, evidence-based reading intervention but still struggles, and now her parents are wondering if she might have Dyslexia. They’d seen “Dyslexia-only” evaluations advertised and wanted my perspective. Testing is a significant commitment […]
Not Broken, Just Different: A Neuropsychologist’s Take on Neuroaffirming Care
Not Broken, Just Different: A Neuropsychologist’s Take on Neuroaffirming Care It’s a question I hear more and more often—and I’m so glad people are asking.“Do you offer neuroaffirming care?”The short answer? Yes, I do. But what does that actually mean?Let’s start with this: every brain is different.That’s not just a slogan. It’s neuroscience.It’s lived experience. […]
If They Only Came with Instructions…
“If only they came with instructions!” It’s something I say almost daily—and for good reason. Most of us enter parenthood with an idea of how we’ll raise our kids. We picture how we’ll speak to them, how they’ll behave, and how things will unfold. But parenting isn’t a curated itinerary. It’s a messy, beautiful, humbling journey that rarely follows our expectations. We often parent the way we were parented—whether we mean to or not.
From Brainwaves to Banana Suits: Tie-Dye, Dopamine, and the Savannah Bananas
I’m a developmental neuropsychologist—a passionate advocate, creative problem-solver, and proud neuroscience nerd. I dive into data, decode complex cognitive patterns, and help people understand what’s going on in their brains and what to do about it. I love the elegance of statistics and the challenge of putting puzzle pieces together to support healthier, happier lives and to promote success.
Using a Strengths-Based Approach in Neuropsychological Testing: Helping People Thrive
At Shapiro BrainHealth Group, I believe in the power of focusing on strengths. It’s the cornerstone of our approach when working with children, adolescents, and adults. You may have heard of a strengths-based approach, but what does it really mean? And why is it so important when it comes to neuropsychological evaluations?