Clinical Neuropsychological Evaluations

A neuropsychological evaluation is a diagnostic testing procedure used to assess brain-behavior relationships. 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 affects functioning. The evaluation systematically examines various domains of thinking that are important in day-to-day functioning; in addition, our examination 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.

There are numerous beneficiaries of clinical neuropsychological assessment as follows:

  • Assist with diagnostic clarification
  • Assess for deficits associated with specific disorders, such as dementia of the Alzheimer type (DAT), MS, & stroke
  • Evaluate for dementia versus symptoms that can look like/mimic dementia
  • Establish a baseline of cognitive functioning (e.g.,to help monitor functional effects of a neurodegenerative disorder)
  • Assist with evaluation of epileptic versus psychogenic non-epileptic events
  • Help to determine if there are any cognitive or psychological effects of a traumatic brain injury
  • Evaluate for symptom validity and help rule out malingering or symptom exaggeration
  • Make recommendations to guide rehabilitation programs and monitor patient progress
  • Assist the primary care provider in referring to specialists
  • Help determine patient’s ability to live independently or with supervision
  • Evaluate one’s ability to manage legal and financial affairs

In addition to referrals for concussion (TBI), seizures, stroke, movement disorders, memory disorders, our evaluations have numerous other benefits as follows:

  • Helpful as a component of determining candidacy for surgery (e.g., transplantation or bariatric)
  • Assessment of CNS lesions and/or seizure disorders before and after surgical interventions, such as corpus callosotomy or focal resection
  • Evaluate the cognitive effects of various medical disorders and associated interventions
  • Assessment of cognitive effects of chronic conditions (e.g., diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], hypertension, human immunodeficiency virus [HIV] infection, coronary artery bypass graft [CABG])
  • Assessment of the cognitive effects of exposure to neurotoxins
  • Assess memory and cognitive functioning after interventions such as electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and contemporary therapies
  • Diagnose learning disabilities, identify learning styles and make recommendations about strategies strengths to improve learning, academic placement, etc.
  • Assess for high stakes testing accommodations (e.g., LSAT, GRE, MCAT)

Our neuropsychological evaluations typically occur in three appointments:

1. An initial consultation where we will discuss your (or your child/adolescent or family member’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 60-90 minutes.

2. A comprehensive evaluation.   Patients should expect to spend most of the day in the office (with breaks taken as necessary). Testing frequently begins between9:00 AM – or later some days.  A lunch break is available 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM as needed; and testing typically ends by 2:30 (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:

  • Intellect
  • Adaptive Skills
  • Academic/Scholastic ability
  • Attention
  • Learning & Memory
  • Language
  • Visual-Spatial
  • Sensorimotor
  • Executive Functions
  • Social Skills
  • Emotions
  • Personality

3. 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 strengths & weaknesses, and most importantly, a comprehensive recommendation/treatment plan and appropriate referrals based upon the results.  A comprehensive written summary report is provided within 48 hours of feedback, and we will attempt to answer any questions you may have.  This appointment typically lasts approximately an hour.