Episode 04 - Renee Testa | Pearson Clinical AU&NZ

Neuropsych Dr Renee Testa on her ‘light bulb moments’ with children and families

In this episode of Moments in Mind, neuropsychologist Dr Renee Testa gives us a glimpse into her extraordinary work with children. Specialising in paediatric neurodevelopmental disorders, Renee digs deep to understand each child’s world view, their struggles, and their potential. In doing so, she helps children, families and educators to succeed in ways they may previously have thought impossible.

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This article contains edited excerpts from the podcast. To hear the full episode, click on the audio player above or listen via Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. A full written transcript of the podcast is available here.

Andy McLean: Your surname is “Testa” but I’m assuming it wasn’t nominative determinism that led to a career involving standardised assessments! So, what did lead you to a career of assessing paediatric neurodevelopmental disorders?

Renee Testa: I’ve always enjoyed working with children and I find it fascinating to understand different people’s perspectives. Children are often unable to fully express their needs, and this career path gives me an opportunity to advocate for them.

Paediatric neuropsychology can make a profound difference for children with conditions like developmental language disorders, autism spectrum disorders, ADHD, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and learning difficulties. Often, families come to us overwhelmed by concerns from doctors, teachers, or other professionals.

Andy McLean: To understand children’s perspectives, you need to take a comprehensive, child-centred approach, right?

Dr Renee Testa: Absolutely. We can make a hugely positive impact if we truly understand the child and help everyone around them to see the bigger picture. What I’m most passionate about is understanding the child holistically—not just giving a diagnosis. We need to comprehend each child’s unique needs, perspective, and family dynamics. Diagnosis plays a role, but it’s just a piece of the puzzle.

We perform detailed assessments not just on thinking skills, memory, and literacy but also social-emotional understanding. Seeing how a child functions within their family and school environment is critical to achieving good outcomes.

Andy McLean: Can you share a story where standardised assessments revealed unexpected insights?

Dr Renee Testa: One case that stands out involved a child of about five or six years old, who was presumed to be low-functioning due to oral motor difficulties. People struggled to understand him, and he was mislabelled as “un-assessable”. I spent two sessions just helping him feel comfortable—playing and building trust. Then, once he relaxed, he completed numerous assessments and demonstrated high cognitive abilities. It turned out that the issue wasn’t intelligence; it was a communication barrier.

Showing that child’s true capacity was incredibly rewarding. We highlighted the frustration he felt from being misunderstood. And we helped parents and teachers see his strengths, which allowed them to change how they supported him.

Andy McLean: You’ve worked in this field for a couple of decades, during which time there have been some remarkable scientific discoveries about the brain. What’s it like, seeing that from the inside, so to speak?

Dr Renee Testa: It’s been fantastic and we’re learning more all the time. We now better understand the interplay between genetics, biology, and environment. Sometimes the effects of early experiences only become apparent later, so taking a long-term, comprehensive view is essential.

Andy McLean: What would you say to someone considering a career in paediatric neuropsychology?

Dr Renee Testa: You need to be up for a challenge and you need to be adaptable. Working with children is like solving a complex puzzle without knowing what the final picture looks like. You need to ask the right questions and gather insights from multiple sources—parents, teachers, and the children themselves.

Andy McLean: And any advice for professionals who are new to standardised assessments?

Dr Renee Testa: Building trust is critical. Assessments can be daunting for children, especially if school has been a negative experience. It’s essential to create a child-led environment where they feel safe and empowered. You need to show children that “success” isn’t about getting answers right—it’s about being open and trying new things.

Andy McLean: Finally, many years from now when you look back on your career, what moments will stand out?

Dr Renee Testa: The joy on a child’s face when they realise they can succeed at something they previously thought was impossible. Watching them leave an assessment feeling empowered, rather than defeated, is incredibly fulfilling. Those are the moments I’ll cherish.