What Is Neuropsychology?
Neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships. In clinical neuropsychology, brain functioning is evaluated by testing memory and thinking skills, and the pattern of strengths and weaknesses that emerge are used in the differentiation and identification of diagnosis and treatment planning.
Why Have I Been Referred?
People are generally referred to us in order to help doctors and other treating professionals understand how the different areas of the brain are working. Sometimes the need for this evaluation is prompted after someone has acquired a brain injury or when diagnosed with a medical condition or neurological disease such as diabetes, dementia, epilepsy, HIV, Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, etc. Other times, people are referred when there are changes or complaints involving memory, attention, language, motor skills such as balance and coordination, and/or personality.
Additionally, people are referred when there are concerns regarding daily functional skills such as driving, readiness to return to work, managing money, or performing household duties.
Referrals also include individuals who are struggling with school/work, and would like to clarify whether their longstanding attentional difficulties are due to Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), their learning struggles are due to a specific learning disability such as Dyslexia or perhaps a Nonverbal Learning Disability (NLD), or their social and language weaknesses are due to Asperger’s syndrome or a Pervasive Developmental Disorder.
Overall, testing will help to differentiate or identify a diagnosis and etiological sources of brain-based dysfunction, as well as develop a treatment plan to offset cognitive weaknesses.
What Is Assessed?
Neuropsychological evaluations are comprehension in scope and generally assess cognitive functioning in the domains of:
• Intellectual and Global Functioning
• Attention and Executive Control
• Learning and Memory
• Language
• Visual-Spatial Skills
• Motor and Sensory Functioning
• Emotional status, Behavior, and Personality
• Daily Living Skills
However, some areas of function are examined in more detail than others depending on the presenting concerns.