What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
The purpose of a neuropsychological evaluation is to better understand your cognitive skills and emotional functioning. Your cognitive skills include abilities like your memory, your attention and focus, your thinking speed, your ability to organize, plan and prioritize, and your visual skills.
A neuropsychologist tests these skills by asking you to perform tasks that tap into each skill. For example, to test your memory, you may be asked to memorize a story. To test your ability to pay attention, you may be asked to pay attention to a sound, while ignoring a competing sound. To test your thinking speed, you might be asked to read some words as quickly as possible.
How long does it take to complete a neuropsychological evaluation?
This depends on the reason you are having the evaluation. When children are being tested for learning issues, testing is usually split up into 2-3 sessions of 1-3 hours each. For adults, testing may be completed in 1-2 sessions of 2-4 hours each.
What happens after I am tested?
After you complete the testing sessions, you will make an appointment to come back to the office a few weeks later, to discuss the results. You will also be given a report describing the results.
In addition to a diagnosis (if appropriate), you will be given recommendations and referrals to help treat the symptoms associated with the diagnosis. This may include referrals to other professionals, such as a therapist, neurologist or behavior specialist. The recommendations will also include strategies you can use to improve you or your child’s functioning. For example, you might be given a list of strategies to improve your memory or focus. Or, children might be given a list of suggested academic accommodations, such as extra time on exams.
After receiving the results, I am available to discuss the results with other professionals and educators, such as your child’s teacher or school psychologist, or for adult patients, your neurologist or primary care physician.