Evaluations |
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| WHAT IS NEUROPSYCHOLOGY? |
| Neuropsychology is a specialty profession that involves investigating the relationship between the brain and behavior by evaluating patients’ cognitive and emotional strengths and weaknesses and relating these findings to specific areas of cognitive brain functioning. Because neurological disorders, such as traumatic brain injury, concussion, stroke, brain tumors, epilepsy, or multiple sclerosis; and developmental disorders, such as specific learning disabilities, attention deficit disorders, or autism spectrum disorders, may affect any of these functions, neuropsychological evaluation is an important part of diagnosis and treatment planning. |
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| WHAT IS A NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION? |
| A neuropsychological evaluation is a diagnostic testing procedure used to assess brain-related functioning. Neuropsychological evaluations consist of multiple cognitive measures which assess a variety of skills and abilities (i.e., cognitive strengths and weaknesses) and/or symptoms. The procedures are sensitive to brain-behavior relationships and how this relates to functioning. The evaluation systematically examines various cognitive domains which are important in day-to-day functioning, as well as assists in making a diagnosis and planning treatment. The standardized measures that may be used are designed to evaluate various aspects of language functioning, sensory-perceptual skills, visual-spatial abilities, motor functioning, learning and memory (visual and verbal), executive functioning, attention, and intellectual functioning skills. Another important aspect of the evaluation is to determine the effects of a person’s neurodevelopmental, learning, neurological and/or medical problems on emotional adjustment and overall quality of life. For students, an educational component is included (e.g., reading, written expression, mathematics) to assist in planning for appropriate school interventions. The specific areas evaluated depend on the referral concerns, as well as the age and current level of functioning of the person being evaluated. |
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| WHAT TO EXPECT |
| Our neuropsychological evaluations typically occur in three appointments: |
- The first appointment includes an initial consultation where we will discuss your (or your child/adolescent’s) concerns or difficulties, review any records you provide and discuss a background/history as far back as birth if possible. This generally lasts about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
- The second appointment includes the comprehensive evaluation. Patients should expect to spend the majority of the day in the office (with breaks taken as necessary). Testing frequently begins between 9 and 9:30 AM. A lunch break is taken between 12 and 12:30 PM; and testing often concludes anywhere from 2:30 to 4:30 PM (this depends upon many factors, including complexity of the evaluation and response style of the examinee). Although some abilities may be measured in more detail because of your specific needs, a typical evaluation assesses:
- General Cognitive/Intellectual Problem-Solving Abilities
- Various Aspects of Learning and Memory
- Language Functioning
- Visual-Spatial, Perceptual, Nonverbal and Motor Skills
- Academic Abilities (e.g., reading, written expression, mathematics)
- Higher Level, Executive Functioning Skills
- Attention and Concentration
- Behavioral Functioning
- The third appointment includes a feedback session where the patient (or patient’s parents/family) will be given an overview of the testing results, including appropriate diagnoses, pattern of cognitive and behavioral strengths and weaknesses, and most importantly, a comprehensive recommendation/treatment plan and appropriate referrals based upon the results. A comprehensive written summary report is provided at this meeting, and we will attempt to answer any questions you may have. This appointment typically lasts approximately an hour.
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