Neuropsychological assessment
What is a Neuropsychological Assessment?
A neuropsychological assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of brain function. Unlike MRI or CT scans, which look at the physical structure of the brain, a neuropsychological assessment evaluates how well your brain is actually working in your day-to-day life.
By measuring various cognitive abilities, a neuropsychologist can identify your cognitive strengths and weaknesses and provide individualized recommendations to set you up for success.
What Cognitive Areas Are Evaluated?
During an assessment, I objectively measure a wide range of brain-based skills, including:
Attention & Concentration: Your ability to focus, multitask, and resist distractions.
Memory & Learning: How quickly you acquire new information and how well you retain it over time (visual and verbal).
Executive Functioning: Higher-level skills such as planning, organizing, problem-solving, and mental flexibility.
Language & Communication: Expressive speech, comprehension, reading, and writing.
Visuospatial Skills: Your ability to perceive spatial relationships and process visual information.
Processing Speed: How quickly and efficiently your brain processes information.
Motor & Visuomotor Skills: Fine motor coordination and visual-motor integration (how well the eyes and hands work together to guide movement).
Academics: Reading, writing, math, and learning-related processes.
Emotional & Psychological Well-being: How mood, anxiety, or stress may be interacting with your cognitive performance.
What to Expect During the Process
A standard assessment is thorough and typically involves three main phases:
The Clinical Interview: We begin with an in-depth discussion about your medical history, developmental background, current symptoms, strengths, and difficulties.
Collection of Background Documents: To ensure a comprehensive evaluation, I collect and thoroughly review historical records. This can include past report cards, previous Individual Education Plans (IEPs), prior psychological or speech-language reports, and relevant medical or pediatric documentation.
The Testing Session: You will complete a series of standardized, hands-on tasks. These may include answering questions, solving puzzles, and working with a pen and paper. Testing is designed to challenge you, but it is conducted in a supportive, quiet, and comfortable environment with breaks as needed.
Feedback & Report: Once all of the information is put together into a comprehensive written report, we will meet for a feedback session to review the findings together, discuss any diagnoses, and outline practical recommendations for home, work, or school. You will be provided with a copy of the report.
Do I Need a Referral?
You do not need a formal doctor’s referral to book an assessment. You can contact the office directly to discuss your needs.