Neuropsychological Evaluation
We provide comprehensive and individualized neuropsychological evaluations for adults and children. The evaluation consists of an interview, testing, detailed report with recommendations, and feedback appointment to review findings.
What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
What is assessed during a neuropsychological evaluation?
What happens during an evaluation?
Why am I referred for neuropsychological evaluation?
What are some of the common problems assessed?
Things to remember for testing day
What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
Neuropsychological Evaluations use comprehensive testing batteries to determine the strengths and weaknesses of a person. Our neuropsychologists make diagnoses (when applicable), describe your cognitive and behavioral strengths and weaknesses, and make recommendations that can be implemented by families, treatment provides (e.g., pediatricians, neurologists, and counselors), and school staff to guide treatment and educational planning (e.g., school-based accommodations and supports). In the same way an MRI or CT scan allows us to look at the structure of the brain, neuropsychological testing helps us understand how the brain is presently functioning in terms of strengths and weaknesses.
Neuropsychologists have unique expertise in how the brain develops, as well as how various neurological and medical conditions affect the brain and learning. Our neuropsychologists are licensed psychologists who have doctoral degrees in clinical psychology with specialized training in neuropsychology and are experienced in the administration and interpretation of neuropsychological tests for children, adolescents, and adults.
Neuropsychologists will use paper-and-pencil and computerized tests to discover how your child uses their brain to process information. Your child’s performance provides us insight into how they think and learn, as well as how they manage their emotions and behaviors.
What is assessed during a neuropsychological evaluation?
Each evaluation is tailored to the individual patient and will depend upon the patient’s age and the presenting concerns. The following is a list of abilities or skills that may be assessed:
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General intelligence or problem-solving skills
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Language and verbal skills
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Various aspects of attention
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Executive functions (e.g., working memory, processing speed, and planning skills)
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Memory and learning skills
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Visual and motor skills (e.g., hand-eye coordination and writing)
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Social skills
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Emotional and personality functioning
Note for pediatric evaluations: Insurance companies typically will not cover services for academic evaluations, including testing for reading, writing, and math skills. As such, if you are concerned about your child’s academic performance and wish for these areas to be assessed, this would be an out-of-pocket expense of $750.
What happens during an evaluation?
At the beginning of your appointment, your neuropsychologist will meet with you and your family/child in the morning to get a better understanding of your concerns and what questions you have. Based upon the information you provide and the questions you want answered, a specific plan will be designed for the evaluation.
The neuropsychologist will then meet with the patient individually and administer a variety of testing, including those using paper-and-pencil and iPads. The patient may also work with a technician/or a doctoral-level trainee, who are trained in administering neuropsychological tests.
The patient will be asked to do many different activities and may include:
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Hands-on activities (e.g., drawing and building with blocks)
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Problem-solving activities (e.g., solving visual puzzles and discovering a pattern)
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Listening activities (e.g., answering questions and sharing what they know)
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Learning and memory activities (e.g., remembering pictures and retelling a story)
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Emotional assessment: Answering questions about how they’ve been feeling, which may include talking about their friends and family or filling out paper-and-pencil questionnaires
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Academic tasks (e.g., reading, writing, and math problems)
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For pediatric assessments: While your child is completing testing, you will be asked to complete questionnaires and rating scales to assess your child’s behaviors in the home.
There will be an hour lunch break at noon. The neuropsychologist will inform you how much longer the appointment will be after lunch, typically 1-3 hours. Feedback will usually be provided following completion of testing. In some circumstances, a separate feedback appointment will be scheduled, usually within 2 weeks.
Why am I referred for a neuropsychological evaluation?
Individuals who are referred for a neuropsychological evaluation may be experiencing difficulties with attention, learning, memory, language, behavior, or making friends. These problems may be secondary to a known medical condition that affects brain functioning and learning, such as a seizure disorder or epilepsy, dementia, traumatic brain injury or concussion, metabolic or genetic disorders, hydrocephalus, brain tumor, or cancer. Individuals may also be referred because of a developmental condition, such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning disabilities, language disorders, or autism spectrum disorders.
If your child or family member is struggling and you’re not sure how to help, a neuropsychological evaluation will be helpful in gaining a better picture of their strengths and weaknesses. Our neuropsychologists will then use this information to develop a plan to promote more success at home, in school, and out in the community.
What are some of the common problems assessed?
ADHD
Autism (pediatric only)
Alzheimer's Disease
Anxiety
Concussion
Depression
Dementia
Learning Disabilities
Multiple Sclerosis
Movement Disorders
PTSD
Stroke
Seizures/Epilepsy
Traumatic Brain Injury
Things to Remember for Testing Day
Pediatric Evaluations
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Have your child get a good night’s sleep the night before the appointment. Try to keep your child from staying up very late, having caffeine the night before, or deviating from the normal routine.
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Try to have your child eat a good breakfast.
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Medications should be taken as usual on the testing day, unless otherwise discussed with your clinician. Please contact us if you have any questions about this.
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Your child can bring a water bottle and/or snack to sustain energy throughout the day.
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Please do not tell your child what time testing will finish. Sometimes children get focused on a certain time and cannot attend appropriately to testing in the afternoon.
Adult Evaluations
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Try to get a good night's sleep the night before the appointment. Try to avoid staying up very late, having caffeine the night before, or deviating from the normal routine.
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Try to eat a good breakfast.
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Medications should be taken as usual on the testing day, unless otherwise discussed with your clinician. Please contact us if you have any questions about this.