Assessment

What is a neuropsychological assessment?

A neuropsychological assessment is a specialized form of assessment, conducted by a registered psychologist who has specific training in clinical neuropsychology. The assessment typically involves the following components:

Intake Interview

I will conduct a 60-90 minute intake interview with you (and a family member or friend, where available). We will discuss your concerns, as well as those of your doctor or other referral source.

Standardized Testing

After the interview, I will decide what tests are needed to best answer your questions (or those that have been asked by your doctor or other referring agent). Testing can take anywhere from 3 hours for a brief screening, up to 8 hours for a more comprehensive assessment. There are at least three types of tests I might use:

  • Cognitive testing: I will administer paper-and-pencil and computerized tests of your thinking abilities, such as intelligence, attention, memory, language, executive functioning, and visuoperceptual functioning. 
  • Self-report testing: I will give you questionnaires of mood, personality, and other relevant aspects of your function
  • Family/friend report: With your permission, I may give questionnaires to a trusted family member or friend who knows you well and can provide an additional perspective on your difficulties

Scoring & Interpreting

I will spend several hours scoring up the tests that you take. I will compile this information, as well as that obtained in the interview, into one complete report. This report will contain my response to the original question, as well as recommendations.

Feedback Session

We will meet for a 60-minute appointment to discuss the results of your assessment. This will be an opportunity to ask any questions and discuss what steps you might take going forward. Depending on how complex your question is, a typical time-frame from intake interview to final feedback session is about 1-2 weeks.

Questions for which a neuropsychological
assessment could be helpful:

Below is a sampling of some of the questions I might answer with a neuropsychological assessment:

  • Questions about diagnosis

    • E.g., Did I suffer a brain injury after my recent car accident? Do I have ADHD? Do I have dementia?
       

  • Questions about emotional functioning 

    • E.g., Am I depressed or anxious following my concussion? Should I be worried about progressive changes in my personality or behavior?
       

  • Questions about daily function 

    • E.g., Is my memory problem so bad I shouldn’t drive? Is my elderly parent safe to live alone? Can I go back to work or school after my stroke? 
       

  • Questions about treatment

    • Could I benefit from psychotherapy or cognitive rehabilitation? Should I be referred to a medical doctor for medications or other tests?