
Neuropsychological Assessment
This is a comprehensive evaluation used to assess how brain injuries or disorders affect a person’s cognition, behavior, and emotional functioning. Unlike brain imaging studies (like an MRI or CT scan), which can identify anatomical abnormalities in the brain, the neuropsychological assessment determines a person’s ability to perform tasks that require brain activity and are necessary for daily living, such as learning, language, and memory. Primary reasons for performing a neuropsychological assessment are:
- Define a person’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses,
- Assess social, emotional, and behavioral functioning,
- Assist in the diagnosis of various brain disorders,
- Uncover possible problems with brain functioning,
- Document changes in cognitive or emotional functioning over time, and/or
- Provide recommendations for the design of an effective treatment plan
The neuropsychological assessment consists of:
- A review of relevant historical information through:
- Patient interview
- Comprehensive review of medical and other records
- Interviews with family member or others who know the patient well (when appropriate)
- Administration of a series of standardized tests (that include oral questions, paper-and-pencil tasks, computerized activities, use of materials [such as puzzles and blocks], and other procedures) that assess:
- Executive function skills (including attention, working memory, planning, reasoning, decision making, flexibility, and problem solving skills)
- Intelligence
- Learning and memory
- Academic skill development
- Visual spatial skills
- Language
- Mood and emotion
- Sensory-motor functioning
- Personality
- Work or school observations (as needed)
- Integration and analysis of test data and historical information
- Completion of comprehensive report that includes individually-tailored treatment recommendations
- Review of results with patient, family, and referring provider
We invite you to review the services that Upcounty Neuropsychology offers and to feel free to call us or contact us online for more information or to request an appointment