Why Choose Us
Neuropsychology is a highly specialized field that requires knowledge of brain-behavior relationships, neuroanatomy, neurological disorders, and the impact of various medical conditions on cognitive and emotional functioning. Neuropsychologists are clinical psychologists that have received formalized training in this subspecialty, which requires specific coursework and experiences in grad school and a post-doctoral residency in neuropsychology. Our neuropsychologists at PNBC are either board-certified in clinical neuropsychology, or eligible for board-certification (and are going through the process). Board-certification in neuropsychology helps consumers to know that the neuropsychologist has been through rigorous peer-review and has met the standards to demonstrate high competency in the field of neuropsychology. Criteria for being eligible for board-certification can be found here.
Neuropsychological Evaluations
Highly specialized evaluations of cognitive and psychological functioning for adults.
What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
Neuropsychological evaluations provide comprehensive assessments of a person’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning, while taking into account different factors that could contribute to a person’s condition, including psychiatric, neurological, and medical conditions, effects of medications, psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors. A neuropsychological evaluation can be a valuable first step to determine a proper diagnosis and help guide treatment planning. The right diagnosis that takes into account the whole picture then leads to comprehensive recommendations for treatment of the condition.
Neuropsychological domains assessed:
Neuropsychological evaluations typically assess the following areas of functioning:
- General intellectual abilities
- Academic achievement
- Motor and sensory functioning
- Attention and processing speed
- Expressive and receptive language abilities
- Visuospatial/perceptual abilities
- Learning & memory
- Executive functions (higher-order thinking abilities, i.e. problem-solving, abstract reasoning, etc.)
- Personality and emotional functioning
Our Areas of Specialty (For Adults 18+):
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)
- Concussions & head injuries
- Cerebrovascular accidents (CVA)/strokes
- Neurodegenerative conditions/dementia (Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementias, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy body dementia, etc.)
- Attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- Multiple sclerosis & autoimmune disorders
- Epilepsy and seizure disorders
How can a neuropsychological evaluation help?
1. Get an Accurate Diagnosis
- Identify Cognitive Strengths and Weaknesses: The evaluation assesses various cognitive domains, such as memory, attention, language, executive functioning, and problem-solving, to pinpoint specific areas of difficulty.
- Differentiate Between Conditions: It helps distinguish between neurological, psychological, and developmental conditions (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease vs. depression, ADHD vs. learning disabilities).
- Detect Subtle Impairments: Neuropsychological testing can identify subtle cognitive deficits that may not be apparent in routine medical exams or imaging studies.
2. Guide Treatment Planning
- Receive Tailored Interventions: The results provide a detailed profile of an individual’s cognitive and emotional functioning, which can be used to create personalized treatment plans.
- Inform Therapy Approaches: For example, if memory deficits are identified, a therapist might focus on memory training or compensatory strategies.
- Medication Management: The evaluation can help healthcare providers make informed decisions about medications or other medical interventions.
3. Track Progress Over Time
- Baseline Assessment: The evaluation establishes a baseline of cognitive functioning, which can be used to monitor changes over time, such as improvement with treatment or progression of a condition.
- Evaluate Treatment Effectiveness: It can help determine whether interventions (e.g., therapy, medication, or rehabilitation) are working.
4. Provide Recommendations for Support
- Educational Accommodations: For college students, the evaluation can lead to accommodations in school, such as extra time on tests or modified assignments.
- Workplace Adjustments: For adults, it can inform workplace accommodations to help individuals perform their jobs more effectively.
- Daily Living Strategies: Recommendations may include tools or techniques to improve daily functioning, such as memory aids, organizational strategies, or assistive technology.
5.Enhance Self-Understanding
- Clarifies Challenges: The evaluation helps individuals and their families understand the nature of their cognitive or emotional difficulties, reducing confusion and frustration.
6. Assist with Legal or Forensic Matters
- Capacity Evaluations: In legal settings, neuropsychological evaluations can assess an individual’s competency to make decisions or stand trial.
- Disability Claims: The evaluation can provide evidence to support disability claims or insurance applications.
7. Support Caregivers and Families
- Education and Guidance: The evaluation helps caregivers and families understand the individual’s condition and how to provide appropriate support.
- Coping Strategies: It can offer recommendations for managing challenging behaviors or emotional difficulties.
How long does a neuropsychological evaluation take?
Depending on the reason for the evaluation and tests that are needed, the face-to-face time with the examinee can range from 2 hours up to 12 hours.