A teacher who became a neuropsychologist.
Respect, compassion, and careful attention to detail are at the core of the practice, the same things that matter in a good classroom.
Twenty-six years listening closely to children.
With twenty-six years of experience working with children, adolescents, and their families, I bring a deep understanding and commitment to supporting young people with neurodevelopmental differences such as learning disabilities, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorder. That experience spans an early career as a classroom teacher and my current work as a neuropsychologist. Respect, compassion, and careful attention to detail are at the core of my practice.
I strive to build meaningful connections with each individual and their family, addressing immediate concerns while remaining available as needs evolve. My approach combines clinical intuition and sensitivity to gather a comprehensive understanding of each child's cognitive, academic, and social-emotional profile. This process results in practical, individualized recommendations that empower families and schools to foster growth and resilience.
Before starting Bridging Gaps Psychology, I spent nearly fourteen years at the Child Mind Institute, where I served as a Senior Neuropsychologist, Director of Clinical Training, and later as Associate Clinical Director. I developed and led training programs for postdoctoral fellows, interns, externs, and students, and co-chaired the Visiting Professor Lecture Series, hosting leading clinical and research experts. My work also included curriculum development for the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Global Center for Child and Adolescent Mental Health, co-authoring national and international mental health literacy and screening initiatives, and producing youth mental health guides now used worldwide.
My professional background spans public and private hospitals, specialized schools for children with learning disabilities, and multi-disciplinary group practices. I am an active speaker and educator, offering workshops for caregivers, educators, and professionals on reading development, neurodevelopment, learning disorders, and social-emotional wellbeing. I have contributed to published research and educational materials for national and international audiences.
I am committed to collaborating with families, educators, and other professionals so that each evaluation and intervention is tailored to the unique needs of the individual. My goal is to provide actionable insights and strategies that support children's growth, resilience, and success.
Dr. Schuster
The breadth behind each evaluation.
A quarter-century across hospitals, schools, and one of the country's leading child mental-health institutes.
Clinical Experience
- Associate Clinical DirectorChild Mind Institute
- Director of Curriculum DevelopmentSNF Global Center for Child & Adolescent Mental Health, Child Mind Institute
- Director of Clinical TrainingChild Mind Institute
- Senior NeuropsychologistLearning & Development Center, Child Mind Institute
Teaching
- Adjunct Professor, Neuropsychology of BehaviorGraduate Dept. of Applied Psychology, New York University
- Tenured Middle-School TeacherElizabeth, NJ public school system
Credentials
- Licensed PsychologistNew York
- Licensed PsychologistNew Jersey
- Standard Teacher CertificateNew Jersey
Training
- Clinical Neuropsychology Post-Doctoral FellowLearning & Development Center, Child Mind Institute
- Clinical InternRusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine, NYU Langone Medical Center
- Clinical ExternJacobi Medical Center
- Clinical ExternNew York-Presbyterian Weill-Cornell Medical Center
- School ExternWilliam B. Ward Elementary School, New Rochelle, NY
Education
- Doctor of Psychology (PsyD), Clinical-School Child PsychologyFerkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University · APA-accredited, NASP-approved
- Master of Science (MS), School PsychologyFerkauf Graduate School of Psychology, Yeshiva University
- Master of Arts (MA), Music EducationTeachers College, Columbia University
- Bachelor of Music (BM), Music EducationThe College of New Jersey
Writing, guides, and public education.
A sample of published writing and the youth mental-health resources I have helped create.
Articles · Child Mind Institute
Ken Schuster, PsyD · practitioner profile Tips for Beating Test Anxiety How to Help Your Child Get Motivated in School Helping a Young Child Hold a Pencil When a Child Won't Go to Bed Homework, Motivation & Developmental Delay Encouraging Good Sleep HabitsGlobal youth mental-health guides
Guides developed through the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Global Center, now published in several countries.
Let's start with a conversation.
Tell me a little about your child and what's on your mind. I'll help you understand whether an evaluation makes sense, and what it would look like for your family.