A photo of Melissa Gerstle.

Melissa Gerstle, PhD, ABPP


  • Pediatric Neuropsychologist, Clinical, Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology
  • Associate Professor, UC Department of Pediatrics
Through neuropsychological evaluation, I examine a child’s functioning as a whole and identify strengths and weaknesses to determine what a child needs to thrive.
Melissa Gerstle, PhD, ABPP

About

Biography

I am a clinical neuropsychologist with a subspecialty in pediatric neuropsychology. Children are continually developing — physically, emotionally, behaviorally and cognitively. Those with medical conditions can struggle in one or more of these areas. Through neuropsychological evaluation, I examine a child’s functioning as a whole and identify strengths and weaknesses to determine what a child needs to thrive.

Children operate in many different “worlds.” These worlds can include school or daycare with their teachers and peers; at home with parents and siblings; in the community with friends and extended family; and in the hospital with doctors, nurses and therapists. I work with families and providers to use evaluation results to guide treatment and educational planning, measure progress and demonstrate eligibility for special educational services.

In addition to evaluating patients, I conduct research that focuses on the process of neuropsychological evaluation. I’m particularly interested in the evaluation report. We are striving to learn what makes this report effective and also user-friendly for families, schools and medical providers.

In my spare time I enjoy traveling. I have visited places around the globe, and I have many more that I still want to visit. There is always so much to see and learn!

PhD: University of New Mexico, Albuquerque, NM.

Internship: Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

Fellowship: Texas Children's Hospital, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX.

Interests

Pediatric neuropsychology; genetic conditions

Services and Specialties

Behavioral Medicine, Neuropsychology

Insurance Information

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Publications

Mental Health Diagnoses Risk Among Children and Young Adults With Cerebral Palsy, Chronic Conditions, or Typical Development. Bhatnagar, S; Mitelpunkt, A; Rizzo, JJ; Zhang, N; Guzman, T; Schuetter, R; Vargus-Adams, J; Bailes, AF; Greve, K; Gerstle, M; Pedapati, E; Aronow, B; Kurowski, BG. JAMA network open. 2024; 7:e2422202.

Improving Anxiety Screening in Patients with Turner Syndrome. Alexandrou, E; Corathers, S; Gutmark-Little, I; Casnellie, L; Gerstle, M; Tatum, J; Khoury, J; Backeljauw, P. Hormone Research in Paediatrics: from developmental endocrinology to clinical research. 2022; 95:68-75.

Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Brain and Spinal Tumors. Salloum, R; Baum, K; Gerstle, M; Spoudeas, H; Rose, SR. In: Walker D; Perilongo G; Taylor R; Pollack I, Ed. Brain and Spinal Tumors of Childhood. Boca Raton, FL: Taylor & Francis; 2020.

Late Effects of Treatment for Childhood Brain and Spinal Tumors. Salloum, R; Baum, K; Gerstle, M; Spoudeas, H; Rose, SR. Brain and Spinal Tumors of Childhood. : Taylor & Francis; Taylor & Francis; 2020.

Changes in child functioning pre-to post-neuropsychological evaluation. Combs, T; Beebe, DW; Austin, CA; Gerstle, M; Peugh, J. Child Neuropsychology. 2020; 26:711-720.

Patient Ratings and Comments

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4.6
Overall Patient Rating