SCANS Program Neuropsychology Testing

The St. Jude Sickle Cell Assessment of Neurocognitive Skills (SCANS) program is one of the largest neuropsychology testing programs for children with sickle cell disease. Our program provides multiple testing visits for patients as they grow so that we can monitor children over time. Visits give your child’s care team information about how their brain functions and how that might affect their thinking and learning skills. 

Problems with thinking and learning can make it harder for your child to function in daily life. All St. Jude patients with sickle cell disease have SCANS Program appointments every 3–4 years.

A child with sickle cell disease may need this testing because:

• Sickle cell disease can affect the brain. Some children with sickle cell disease develop thinking, learning, and behavioral problems. 
• Testing can help your child’s care team find problems before they begin to affect daily living.

Services we provide

• Neuropsychological testing
• Recommendations of ways to help support your child’s needs at school and at home 
• Strategies to support your child’s move to adult care
• Referrals for other support services your child needs

Your neuropsychology team

Our psychologists have special training that helps them understand how well your child’s brain functions. They can help with problems related to:

• Thinking
• Behavior
• Learning 
• Speaking
• Moving
• Daily function

Your child will visit with a doctor called a neuropsychologist, who knows how the brain works.

How to prepare for your visit

To prepare for testing, your child should get a good night's sleep, eat a good breakfast, and take medicine as usual on the day of testing. 

Please bring the following to your visit:

• Your child’s school records
• Results of any past academic, psychological, or neuropsychological assessments outside of St. Jude. This could include assessments from your child’s school, private practices that provided services, or developmental centers.
• Contact information for your child's school 
• State test scores
• Report cards
• A copy of your child's education plans; 504 plan or Individualized Education Program (IEP) if they have one.

If your child uses any of the following, please bring them to the appointment:

• Prescription glasses
• Hearing aids
• Communication aids or devices, such as tablets with speech aids, books with pictures and symbols, or recorded speech devices 

What to expect during your visit

You should come with your child to the SCANS appointment so that you can help answer questions. A neuropsychologist will ask questions about your child’s birth and developmental history, mood, behavior, and any difficulties you have noticed with thinking skills or learning. 

The testing will be done at the St. Jude Psychology Clinic.

Please bring your appointment schedule and arrive on time. If you are late, it might be hard to complete the testing, and the appointment might not happen.

If you need to cancel your appointment, call as soon as possible to reschedule.

Testing

Your child will do one-on-one tests and activities in a quiet area, using paper and pencil, iPads, or a computer. Prepare your child to be away from you during this part of the testing. These activities help our team understand how your child’s brain works and how this affects their daily functioning. 

Testing may be adjusted to meet your child’s unique needs, such as if they have low vision or have problems with their motor skills. The testing lasts 2.5 hours. Reassure your child that they will have no physical exams or needle sticks during this testing.

After your child’s visit

Within a few weeks of SCANS Neuropsychology testing, you will get your child’s test results. The neuropsychologist will call you to explain the test results and will write a report. The report will be saved in your child’s medical record. You can view it in your child’s St. Jude MyChart, or a copy can be sent to you in the mail. You can also meet with the neuropsychologist at your next visit to St. Jude if you would like to discuss more. Or, if you live in Tennessee, you may have the option to meet via Telehealth. 

Results from this testing can help your child’s care team: 

• Find out your child’s strengths and challenges 
• See how well your child’s treatments are working 
• Plan ways to help support your child when they go to school 
• Make a plan to help your child’s thinking skills, independence, and mood  
• Help you and your child plan for their move to adult medical care at age 18 and for their education or work after high school  

You can use the test results to: 

• Help your child do hard things in an easier way 
• Develop formal plans at school to support learning 
• Follow-up with care teams to support your child’s speech, language, motor skills, independence, behavior, and mood  
• Share the results with health care providers that your child sees outside of St. Jude and with organizations that can help your child, such as: 
  • Your state’s Vocational Rehabilitation office 
  • College Board’s Services for Students with Disabilities (SAT or AP Exams), or Office of Student Disabilities at your child's college. 

Using test results for a school plan

If the neuropsychologist suggests that your child would benefit from services at school, a St. Jude school advocacy coordinator can help you work with your child’s school team. 

Some examples of services may be:

• Extra time for your child to take tests at school
• A separate testing room so your child is not distracted
• Extra help or tutoring for subjects in which your child needs help

The neuropsychologist might also suggest other services. These could include:

• Occupational therapy
• Speech and language therapy
• Psychology appointments at St. Jude or nearby 

Learn more

SCANS Program neuropsychology testing takes place in the St. Jude Psychology Clinic. It is located in Room BP071 of the Patient Care Center, on the Plaza level. To contact the clinic, call (901) 595-3581 or talk to your child’s St. Jude doctor or nurse.