Neuropsychological Assessment
Q: What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
A: A neuropsychological evaluation involves assessing the health and functioning of the brain. It provides information about how well the brain is working when you are thinking, remembering, paying attention, solving puzzles, etc.(as opposed to a CT or MRI scan, which provide pictures of the brain). A neuropsychological evaluation is one of several ways to identify problems of the brain and your doctor will use the results, along with results from other tests such as brain imaging and blood testing, to make the most accurate diagnosis possible.
Q: Why have I been referred for a neuropsychological evaluation?
A: Neuropsychological evaluations are usually recommended when an individual reports problems with thinking, memory, ability to concentrate, or other symptoms that could result from problems with brain functioning. Physicians refer people for neuropsychological evaluations to address problems such as: suspected or known injuries to the brain, illnesses that involve or affect the brain, problems with brain functioning that affect academic progress or work ability, or any problems with thinking and memory that are related to brain injury or illness.
Q: What is a neuropsychologist?
A: Neuropsychologists are licensed, doctoral level psychologists who have completed specialized training in understanding brain-behavior relationships. This means that they have BOTH the traditional training and experience of licensed clinical psychologists (i.e., understanding and assisting with the challenges and issues that interfere with daily life and enjoyment; assessment of mood, personality, general intellect, and school achievement) AND specialized training in brain anatomy and physiology, how the brain controls emotions, thinking, and behavior, and illnesses and injuries of the brain. Neuropsychologists are also trained in how to administer and interpret specific neuropsychological tests.
Q: What will happen during the evaluation?
A: A neuropsychological evaluation is non-invasive, meaning it does not involve needles, machines, x-rays, etc. There are two major parts: 1) an interview, to gather background information and history of your concerns, and 2) testing, in which you will be asked to answer questions, read, write, solve puzzles, build/draw things, or use a computer.
Q: What kind of information is obtained?
A: A neuropsychological evaluation assesses skills that reflect how the brain is functioning and may include any of the following areas, depending on the reason for the evaluation:
• Learning and Memory skills (e.g., how to process and “store” new information, and how to recall and retrieve information already learned)
• Sensory processing skills (e.g., interpreting what is seen, heard, or felt)
• Visual motor and fine motor skills (e.g., coordinating what is seen with hand movements during activities such as writing, drawing, and manipulating objects)
• Receptive and expressive language (e.g., understanding what is said, and ability to communicate with others through writing, speaking, and nonverbal language)
• Organizational skills, problem-solving skills, reasoning, and other higher level thinking skills (e.g., initiating work, organizing tasks, following a plan and modifying a plan when necessary, generating solutions to problems, speed and clarity of thinking)
• Attention skills (e.g., paying attention, ignoring non-significant activity or information, staying focused on a task until it is finished)
• Academic skills (e.g., reading, math, spelling, writing)
• Mood/emotions (e.g., depression, anxiety, coping skills, current stressors, etc.)
• personality
Q: How will the results help me?
A: Test results can be used in any number of ways, including:
• to assist in establishing a diagnosis, or to help differentiate between illnesses (e.g., normal age-related memory loss versus dementia);
• to identify areas of cognitive weakness (and strength);
• to help in understanding how an illness, accident, or injury has affected the brain, behavior, thinking, and emotions;
• to help plan appropriate treatment, remediation, or rehabilitation of weaknesses;
• to help understand problems in daily living; for example, driving, managing money, ability to return to school or work (and help to develop solutions to those problems);
• to identify and recommend accommodations for individuals returning to school or work;
• to assist with educational programming;
• to establish a performance baseline to evaluate effects of medical interventions (e.g., introduction or changes in medications, neurosurgical procedures, organ transplantation);
• to help plan for future needs of the individual affected by a brain illness or injury;
• to measure and evaluate the effects of head injuries from sports activities on an individual’s performance in school or at work.
Q: How do I make an appointment?
A: Call INTROSPECT at 215-997-3600 Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:30 am and 4:30 P.M. and ask for an appointment to see our neuropsychologist for neuropsychological assessment.
For more information on neuropsychology and neuropsychological evaluations, go to:
• Neuropsychology division of the American Psychological Association
• National Academy of Neuropsychology
• General information about neuropsychology