What Makes The Stixrud Group Different?

1. What Makes A Stixrud Group Evaluation Different?

If you’ve been researching neuropsychological evaluations for your child, teen, or yourself, you’ve probably noticed that most testing services sound remarkably similar on paper: a battery of tests, a written report, a diagnosis. So what actually makes an evaluation at The Stixrud Group different from the practice down the street?

We were founded in 1985 by Dr. Bill Stixrud, who remains an active member of our group today. The core philosophy of our practice has stayed the same ever since: we believe there is a place for every child in this world, and we feel honored to help families discover that path. That means a diagnosis is only the smallest part of what we offer.

2. We Go Above and Beyond the Label

Our evaluations don’t stop at a diagnosis. We go above and beyond the label by providing detailed roadmaps and guides for parents, teachers, and other providers, so a family walks away with more than a set of scores. We collaborate directly with treatment providers, teachers, and parents to understand a client from every angle, and that collaboration often includes attending school meetings, so the recommendations we make actually get implemented where it matters most: in the classroom.

3. We Meet With Our Clients Directly, Not Just Test Them

Testing is only one part of the process. The provider should meet with your child to discuss the results, using strengths-based language throughout, so the conversation empowers rather than labels.

4. Every Evaluation Ends With a Roadmap, Not Just a Report

A stack of scores doesn’t tell a family what to do on Monday morning. A neuropsychological evaluation is not just a diagnostic tool, it’s a roadmap to understanding your child. That’s why every Stixrud Group evaluation concludes with a clear, actionable plan: concrete next steps for home, school, and beyond. Whether that means classroom accommodations, a referral to executive functioning coaching, or guidance on the right school environment, the goal is always the same: turn understanding into action.

5. Specialized Experience Across the Lifespan

We work with children, adolescents, and adults, including a particular focus on launching adults, helping young people build the skills and confidence needed for independence in college, career, and daily life. That range means we’re equipped to support a family well beyond a single evaluation, whether the question is about a first grader’s reading struggles or a young adult’s transition out of the house.

6. A Team With an International Voice

Our clinicians aren’t just practitioners, they’re published authors whose work has shaped how families and professionals think about neurodivergence, including The Self-Driven Child, Is This Autism?, and the Different Thinkers series. That expertise doesn’t stay in the pages of a book; it directly informs how we approach every evaluation we conduct.

7. The Bottom Line

An evaluation should be the beginning of a plan, not the end of a process. If you’re looking for a neuropsychological evaluation in the DMV area that goes beyond a diagnosis and toward real, practical understanding, we’d be glad to talk with you about what that could look like for your family.

The Stixrud Group is a lifespan neuropsychology practice with offices in Silver Spring, MD and McLean, VA, serving families throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area since 1985.