Neuropsychological Testing

A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive psychological assessment of a wide range of mental skills. While a comprehensive evaluation covers many areas, the tests are often adapted to the specific needs of the client, to a referral reason, or to a general question about mental ability. The skills assessed are generally grouped into cognitive domains:

• General intelligence: a general measure of how one thinks and solves problems
• Executive functioning: impulse control, judgment, reasoning, organization and planning, attention, and concentration
• Processing speed: the speed at which information can be understood and processed
• Language: word finding, vocabulary, grammar, articulation, and verbal reasoning
• Memory and learning: short-term and long-term memory, visual and auditory memory, and the ability to learn new information
• Sensorimotor: dexterity, motor speed, grip strength, and fine and gross motor skills
• Visuospatial: visual reasoning, spatial awareness, visual construction, and visual organization

Neuropsychological evaluations are recommended, or independently sought, for a number of reasons. You do not need a referral, but we recommend discussing your interest with a medical provider to make sure an evaluation is appropriate. Common reasons include:

• Memory challenges or difficulties with daily activities
• Concerns with speech and language
• Challenges with reasoning or judgment
• A brain injury, such as a concussion, traumatic brain injury, or stroke
• A diagnosis of a neurodegenerative disease, such as dementia, Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, or Huntington's disease
• A school's request to understand how an individual learns best and to identify barriers to learning

The evaluation generally includes a clinical interview, standardized tests with both oral and written portions, a review of records, and, when helpful, an interview with a close friend or loved one. It usually takes seven to eight hours, including breaks, and can be split across multiple sessions when needed. The results identify areas of both strength and weakness, are provided in a written report, and often include recommendations for coping strategies and supports. The evaluation cannot be passed or failed; it is a reflection of an individual's abilities relative to their peers.

A few simple steps can help the evaluation go smoothly:

• Get a good night's sleep and eat a healthy breakfast on the day of the evaluation
• Take your prescribed medications as usual, and be ready to provide a list of medications and doses
• Bring any relevant medical or school records, and any previous psychological evaluations
• Bring any supportive devices you use, such as hearing aids or glasses
• Come ready to give your best effort throughout the evaluation