Children
Developmentally informed evaluations that clarify learning, attention, behavior, emotional functioning, and autism-related concerns.
- ADHD
- Autism
- Learning disabilities
- Emotional concerns
Lifespan neuropsychology · North Providence, Rhode Island
Clarity for what
comes next.
Comprehensive evaluations conducted by clinical neuropsychologists with specialized postdoctoral training.
RI · CT Licensed in Rhode Island and Connecticut
ChildrenAdolescentsAdultsOlder adults
Understanding the whole person
An evaluation should answer the questions that matter.
Neuropsychological assessment brings together cognitive, academic, emotional, behavioral, developmental, medical, and functional information to explain not only what is difficult, but why.
Our goal is to provide a clear, evidence-based understanding of strengths and challenges—and recommendations that are genuinely useful in everyday life.
Evaluations across the lifespan
Specialized assessment,
thoughtfully individualized.
Every evaluation is selected and interpreted in relation to the person’s history, current concerns, and real-world needs.
Adolescents
Comprehensive assessment of the cognitive, academic, and emotional factors affecting school performance and daily functioning.
- Executive functioning
- School concerns
- Diagnostic clarification
- Accommodations
Adults
Nuanced diagnostic assessment for neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, neurological, and medically complex presentations.
- Attention and memory
- Autism
- Mood and trauma
- Neurological conditions
Older adults
Careful evaluation of memory and other cognitive changes to help distinguish normal aging, medical factors, and neurocognitive disorders.
- Memory concerns
- Cognitive change
- Dementia differential
- Care planning
Common referral questions
Attention & executive functioningAutism spectrum disorderLearning disabilitiesMood, anxiety & traumaMemory & cognitive changeBrain injury & neurological conditions
What to expect
A thoughtful process.
A useful outcome.
We make a complex process understandable from the first conversation through feedback and recommendations.
- 01
Conversation
We begin by learning what prompted the referral, reviewing your questions, and determining whether an evaluation is the right next step.
- 02
Evaluation
Testing is selected for the individual and may examine intellectual abilities, attention, memory, language, executive functioning, academic skills, and emotional functioning.
- 03
Clarity
Findings are integrated with history, records, and observations to provide a cohesive diagnostic formulation—not simply a list of scores.
- 04
Direction
You receive individualized recommendations designed to translate the findings into practical next steps at home, school, work, and in treatment.
Our team
Experienced neuropsychologists.
Compassionate, evidence-based care.
MPB
Clinical director · Clinical neuropsychologist
Dr. Melissa Perkins-Banas
Dr. Melissa Perkins-Banas is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist and Clinical Director of NeuroPerformance of Rhode Island. She earned her doctoral degree in clinical psychology from Albert Einstein College of Medicine and completed specialized postdoctoral training in clinical neuropsychology and sports psychology, with additional postdoctoral study in the neuroanatomical dissection of the brain and spinal cord.
With more than 20 years of clinical experience, Dr. Perkins-Banas has extensive expertise conducting comprehensive evaluations of cognitive, emotional, behavioral, academic, and functional concerns across the lifespan. Her practice emphasizes diagnostically complex presentations in which neurodevelopmental, psychiatric, neurological, medical, and psychosocial factors overlap, with a particular focus on differential diagnosis and individualized treatment planning.
Her areas of expertise include attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, learning disabilities, mood and anxiety disorders, trauma-related conditions, personality and psychotic disorders, and other complex psychiatric presentations. She also evaluates cognitive changes associated with traumatic brain injury, concussion, stroke, epilepsy, toxic or metabolic conditions, medical illness, and suspected neurocognitive disorders.
Her evaluations integrate developmental history, cognitive and academic testing, emotional and behavioral data, medical information, clinical observations, and real-world functioning to provide a cohesive understanding of each person. Dr. Perkins-Banas is committed to delivering thorough, compassionate, and evidence-based care that helps patients and families understand patterns of strengths and challenges and translate the findings into practical recommendations for school, work, treatment, and everyday life.
DK
Clinical neuropsychologist
Dr. Deborah Kirsten
Dr. Deborah Kirsten is a clinical neuropsychologist with specialized postdoctoral training in clinical neuropsychology across the lifespan as well as school neuropsychology. She conducts comprehensive evaluations for children, adolescents, adults, and older adults referred by medical, mental health, and educational professionals.
Dr. Kirsten has particular training in autism assessment across age groups. Her clinical background also includes neurodevelopmental and learning concerns, neurological and geriatric presentations, school-based assessment, and occupational evaluations. She approaches each evaluation with careful attention to developmental history, current functioning, and individualized needs.
Autism assessmentLifespan evaluationSchool neuropsychologyGeriatric assessment
Frequently asked questions
Before your evaluation.
Have a question not answered here? Our office can help you determine the appropriate next step.
What is a neuropsychological evaluation?+
A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of thinking, learning, memory, attention, executive functioning, and emotional or behavioral functioning. The specific areas assessed depend on the referral question and the person’s age and history.
How long does an evaluation take?+
The length varies according to age, referral questions, and the complexity of the presentation. When you contact the office, we can explain the expected schedule for your particular evaluation.
Will I receive recommendations?+
Yes. Findings are translated into targeted, individualized recommendations that may address treatment, education, workplace functioning, medical follow-up, and practical supports.
Do you evaluate adults as well as children?+
Yes. NeuroPerformance of Rhode Island provides evaluations across the lifespan, including children, adolescents, adults, and older adults.
Begin the conversation
Ready to request an evaluation?
Contact our office to discuss the referral question, availability, and next steps. Please do not include confidential or sensitive clinical information in email.
Call the office(401) 383-8198
Visit1515 Smith Street, Unit N
North Providence, RI 02911
Existing client portalNorth Providence, RI 02911