Neuropsychological Evaluation

Understanding the neurological sources of individual differences helps identify brain-based disorders in attention, memory, personality, self-awareness (conscious experience), cognition, and emotional expression. Understanding these differences in learning can define current and future expectations in the lifestyle of the individual.

 

Testing will give a comprehensive understanding of an individual’s strengths and impairments. We then create customized recommendations for therapy, treatments, educational assistance. Every brain is a unique Puzzle of genetics (nature), experiences (nurture), physical health, learned responses, personality, injuries and diseases. It is the role of a Neuropsychologist to sort out the factors that influence how the brain is working in order to understand and explain abnormalities.

 

The Testing process

Neuropsychological Testing vs. Standard Psychological Testing

A standard psychological assessment typically evaluates general cognitive and personality functioning and is geared to diagnose psychiatric conditions. A standard assessment has the capacity to diagnose a condition such as ADHD based on behavior, but it lacks the specificity to understand what underlying neurological process is causing the symptoms and therefore cannot give customize recommendations for treatment.

 

Neuropsychological Assessment is a comprehensive assessment of cognitive processes. We can evaluate neurological or neurodevelopmental disorders, and understand the etiology and evolution of a disorder. Neuropsychology is the unique integration of genetic, developmental, and environmental history with testing data to better understand brain functioning. With a comprehensive assessment of a person’s cognitive and personality functioning, we can specify the origin and development of a disorder and customized recommendations.

 

To understand cognitive strengths and weaknesses, neuropsychological testing further evaluates:

Attention and concentration

Verbal and visual memory

Auditory and visual processing

Visual-spatial functioning

Language and Reading skills

Sensory Development and Sensory Integration

Gross and fine motor development

Social Skill Development

Executive Functioning

Emotional and Personality development

 

Collateral information and behavioral assessment is sought from parents, educators, doctors, and therapists when appropriate. We then use this information to create a road map of customized recommendations for therapy, treatments, educational assistance, and medications.

 

Psychological and NeuroPsychological Testing is the essential road map because it helps clinical professionals, treatment programs, and educational institutions to develop treatment planning and ensure treatment is effective and efficient.

 

Assessments that may be used by Domain

Intelligence - WAIS, WISC, SB, TONI

Achievement - WJ-III, WIAT, WRAT

Attention - CCPT, WCST, Vanderbilt, NEPSY

Language - GORT, Boston Naming, HRB-Aphasia

Memory and Learning - WMS, WRAML, CVLT, RAVLT, ROCF, NEPSY

Motor Control - Grooved Pegoard, Finger Tapping, Grip Strength, Lateral Dominance

Visual-Spatial - ROCFT, Bender-Gestalt, HVOT

Autism - ADOS, ASDS, ADI, GARS

Executive Functioning - WCST, BRIEF, EFSD, D-KEFS, HRB

Behavioral - BASC, Achenbach, Vanderbilt