Winthrop-University Hospital's Cancer Center for Kids will offer a free lecture on Wednesday, May 13, 2009, from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, for families of pediatric cancer patients and children with chronic illnesses. The program, "Neuropsychological Testing: Creating a Framework for Successful Learning," will be held at Winthrop's New Life Conference Center, Room B, at 259 First Street in Mineola.

Children with cancer, related blood disorders and chronic illnesses may experience late effects of chemotherapy and radiation, which may affect brain function, learning, memory and emotion. Neuropsychological testing serves as a building block providing a baseline assessment, which can then be used to create a framework for successful learning in children with these diseases.

Jayne Cohodas, PsyD, a pediatric neuropsychologist at the Cancer Center for Kids at Winthrop, will define and demystify neuropsychological testing and its role in identifying learning differences in children with chronic illnesses. Dr. Cohodas will address "Neuropsychological Testing; What is it? Why are we so afraid of it?" and explain how the testing can be used as a way of charting brain function, and transforming the information into a language that can help map the road for each child to follow in his or her everyday life.

Seating is limited and reservations are required. A light dinner will be served. Please call 516-663-9400 for more information and to reserve a seat.

The program is sponsored by the Michael Magro Foundation Educational Program "S.O.A.R.: School Re-Entry and On-going Academic Resources," with additional support from the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

The Cancer Center for Kids is part of the Division of Pediatric Hematology/Oncology at Winthrop. For information about its multi-faceted programs, access the website at www.winthrop.org/cck.