Exciting announcement! NESCA is accepting clients for home- and/or community-based Real-life Skills and Executive Function Coaching with Leah Bridge, MSOT, OTR. Leah is available for in-person occupational therapy (OT) and coaching services in the Newton, MA and Central MA areas. NESCA’s team of coaches offer Real-life Skills, Executive Function, Functional OT and Parent/Caregiver Coaching remotely for those outside of the Newton area. To learn more or book coaching services, complete our Intake Form.

Welcome 2025 banner with quote from Dr. Ann Helmus

Welcome 2025 banner with quote from Dr. Ann HelmusBy Ann Helmus, Ph.D.
Founder and Director, NESCA

At NESCA, we are thrilled to share how 2025 has gotten off to an incredible start! During the very first week of the year, we had the pleasure of welcoming three new neuropsychologists to the NESCA team. These talented clinicians started their NESCA careers with an intensive week-long training, during which many of our seasoned NESCA clinicians presented on their areas of specialization. This immersive onboarding experience underscored our commitment to professional growth and ensuring that every team member has the tools to provide the highest level of care to our clients.

Adding to the richness of the week, we were joined by a neuropsychologist from Florida, who is considering relocating to Boston to become part of our team. Her perspectives on regional differences in neuropsychological practice, including bilingual evaluations,  added a valuable dimension to our discussions, enhancing the exchange of ideas. All of our new neuropsychologists are mid-career professionals, and the week was characterized by vibrant discussions where everyone learned from each other. This mutual sharing of knowledge exemplifies the collaborative and collegial spirit that makes NESCA a leader in the field of pediatric neuropsychology.

We also had the honor of hosting a special evening for pediatric neuropsychology postdoctoral fellows and interns, aimed at supporting them in their career exploration. Over dinner, these early-career clinicians heard from a panel of four experienced pediatric neuropsychologists working in diverse settings, including hospital-based roles, solo practices, and group practices like NESCA. The panelists shared insights on what drives career satisfaction, how to achieve work-family balance, and considerations around compensation. The discussions were lively and thought-provoking, providing invaluable guidance to those embarking on their careers in pediatric neuropsychology.

At NESCA, our mission goes beyond delivering exceptional neuropsychological evaluations. We are deeply committed to fostering an environment of learning, professional development, and collaboration. Whether it’s through welcoming new team members, creating opportunities for knowledge-sharing, or helping early-career clinicians chart their career paths, we strive to build a professional community that embodies support and excellence.

What I saw unfold and experienced during our training week – from both NESCA’s seasoned clinical staff and our newest additions – gives me immense job satisfaction and gets me out of bed in the morning. While I am no longer seeing clients myself, I am now inspired by creating opportunities for people to learn from each other and exchange ideas; watching people meet and collaborate; and working closely with NESCA’s leadership team to continuously improve NESCA. All these things drive me personally, but, more importantly, lead to better client care.

Here’s to a 2025 filled with growth, connection, and continued dedication to our mission of helping children and families thrive. We look forward to the year ahead and all that we will accomplish together!

 

About the Author

NESCA Founder/Director Ann Helmus, Ph.D. is a licensed clinical neuropsychologist who has been practicing for almost 30 years. In 1996,Ann Helmus headshot she jointly founded the Children’s Evaluation Center (CEC) in Newton, Massachusetts, serving as co-director there for almost 10 years. During that time, CEC emerged as a leading regional center for the diagnosis and remediation of both learning disabilities and Autism Spectrum Disorders.

In September of 2007, Dr. Helmus established NESCA (Neuropsychology & Education Services for Children & Adolescents), a client and family-centered group of seasoned neuropsychologists and allied staff, many of whom she trained, striving to create and refine innovative clinical protocols and dedicated to setting new standards of care in the field.

She is an active participant in the Trauma and Learning Policy Initiative, a collaborative effort between Massachusetts Advocates for Children and Harvard Law School’s Education Law Clinic, a project involving a multi-disciplinary group of professionals working together to better define and meet the educational needs of children who have been traumatized.

She received her undergraduate degree in Neural Science from Brown University and earned her doctorate at Boston University School of Medicine. Her postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology was completed at Children’s Hospital in Boston, where she remained on staff for seven years. Concurrently, she served as neuropsychologist to the Pediatric Brain Tumor Clinic at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute in Boston.

To book an appointment with NESCA’s expert neuropsychologists, please complete our Intake Form today. 

NESCA is a pediatric neuropsychology practice and integrative treatment center with offices in Newton, Plainville, and Hingham, Massachusetts; Londonderry, New Hampshire; the greater Burlington, Vermont region; and Brooklyn, New York (coaching services only) serving clients from infancy through young adulthood and their families. For more information, please email info@nesca-newton.com or call 617-658-9800.

 

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