ABSTRACT
Pediatric epilepsy is a neurological condition in children that results with varying cognitive and/or functional impairment dependent on a complex interaction of static and dynamic developmental, illness, and treatment factors. Notably, neural anomalies can augment risk for seizures, and likewise, epilepsy during key developmental periods can introduce functional reorganization of the brain. Accordingly, clinical neuropsychological assessment services are important tools to identify brain-behavior relationships while utilizing a developmental framework, diagnose neurological and psychological disorders, and monitor response to treatment. Pediatric neuropsychologists are particularly poised to assist children with seizure disorders in tailoring their academic programming and transition planning based on their neurological and behavioral functioning. This chapter reviews the application of neuropsychological testing in the clinical care and educational planning of children with seizure disorders. A broad overview of the literature regarding the clinical presentation of epilepsy types, the integration of neuropsychological testing in the diagnostic evaluation and treatment of seizure disorders, and the assessment process involved.
