What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

The neuropsychological evaluation is used to measure brain-behavior relationships and cognitive functioning for a variety of reasons such as:

• To identify cognitive impairment which may be a result of a disease process, trauma, or other brain anomaly.
  
• To assess learning/perceptual difficulties or ADD and to provide recommendations for academic interventions and accommodations.
  
• To help formulate a plan for cognitive remediation or brain retraining.
  
• To establish a baseline of cognitive functioning which can be compared over time.
  
• To help determine an individual's ability to return to work, school, or premorbid functioning after a brain injury or disease process.
  
• To provide documentation for the purposes of litigation in cases of brain injury.

The neuropsychological evaluation is conducted by an experienced, trained neuropsychologist who is a state-licensed, doctoral-level practitioner. The evaluation process includes initial interview and history taking, review of records, consultation with referral sources, observation, in-depth testing, detailed report, and a feedback/report review session.

What is tested in a Neuropsychological Evaluation?

Cognitive functions which are tested include memory, language skills, sensory/perceptual/motor skills, visual/spatial abilities, mental speed/efficiency/flexibility, physical/mental coordination, listening skills, attention and concentration, problem solving skills, reasoning, general intellectual skills. Personality and vocational tests are also administered.

When is a Neuropsychological Evaluation recommended?

A neuropsychological evaluation is recommended when there is a question about an individual's cognitive functioning. It provides information about an individual's abilities which may not be available through neurological or medical examination and tests. Conditions which may prompt a referral include:

• Brain injury from trauma, stroke, anoxia
  
• Brain growths
  
• Neurological conditions, disorders, diseases
  
• Learning Disorders
  
• Attention Deficit Disorder
  
• Memory Disorders
  

What is Cognitive Rehabilitation?

Cognitive rehabilitation, or remediation, is the process of retraining or improving cognitive functions. The goals are to strengthen weaknesses, train compensatory strategies, practice skills, and improve attention, concentration, mental efficiency, and impairments identified in the neuropsychological evaluation. These skills are generalized to "real-life" functioning.