What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation is an assessment procedure, involving interviewing and testing, conducted by a licensed psychologist with specialized training in neuropsychology. The purpose of the exam is to identify the patient or client's brain-related areas of ability and deficit, and is most commonly conducted following any kind of neurologically based change in function. This may be as a direct result of a traumatic brain injurly, a stroke, a tumor, or a degenerative condition such as multiple sclerosis, dementia, or some other disease or illness.
When a person is referred for a neuropsychological evaluation, a neuropscyhologist typically does the following:
- Clarifies referral questions as needed, so the neuropsychologist knows exactly what kind of information and recommendations would be most helpful to all concerned
- Reviews pertinent medical records, and in some cases, school and work records
- Conducts and interview with the patient and one or more members of his or her family
- Administers and scores a set of standarized tests, designed to assess important areas of thinking, behavior and personality
- Perpares a thorough report, documenting the individual's strengths, weaknesses, and primary issues or challenges to adjustment and function, along with some detailed recommendations for how to improve function and adjustment
- Sends copies of the report to the patient, to his or her physician, and to and other people that the patient requests to receive a copy
- Reviews results of the report with the person testsed, and their family, and others, as appropriate
The time involved in actual testing varies significantly depending upon the specifics of the referral question. In the case of understanding potential memory loss in the elderly, the assessment ordinarily requires approximately 4 - 6 hours and is ordinarily performed over the course of 2 or 3 sessions. Most patients enjoy the process.
