Trustworthy evaluations for your family
Neuropsychological evaluations may help with:
- Finding possible problems with your brain functioning
- Forming a diagnosis
- Defining your thinking skill strengths and weaknesses
- Guiding treatment for your personal, educational or vocational needs
- Making relevant recommendations to your health care provider(s)
- Documenting possible changes in your functioning over time
What is neuropsychological evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation involves testing that is sensitive to problems with brain function. Unlike CT or MRI scans, which show what the structure of the brain looks like, neuropsychological testing examines how well the brain is working when it performs certain functions (for example, remembering).
The types of tests that you will take depend upon the questions you and your doctor have. The tests may assess the following areas:
- Attention and memory
- Reasoning and problem-solving
- Visual-spatial functions
- Language functions
- Sensory-perceptual functions
- Motor functions
- Academic skills
- Emotional functioning
The tests are not invasive; that is, they do not involve attaching you to machines or using X-rays. Most of the tests will involve questions-and-answers, or working with materials on a table. Some tests may use a computer. The testing may be performed by the neuropsychologist or by a trained staff member.
The neuropsychologist or a staff member will also spend some time talking with you about your medical, personal, and school history. The total time involved in your evaluation will depend upon the questions you and your doctor have. Contact us today.
What is a neuropsychologist?
A neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist specializing in the area of brain-behavior relationships. Although a neuropsychologist has a doctoral degree in psychology, he or she does not just focus on emotional or psychological problems.
The neuropsychologist has additional training in the specialty field of clinical neuropsychology. That means a neuropsychologist is educated in brain anatomy, brain function, and brain injury or disease.
The neuropsychologist also has specialized training in administering and interpreting the specific kinds of tests included in your neuropsychological evaluation. As a part of the required education, a neuropsychologist also has years of practical experience working with people who have had problems involving the brain.
An official, more detailed definition of a clinical neuropsychologist has been approved by the National Academy of Neuropsychology and can be viewed at the NAN website
( www.NANonline.org ).
