ADULT NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION
There are a variety of reasons an adult may receive a neuropsychological evaluation.
For individuals with known neurological conditions (e.g., traumatic brain injury,
stroke, tumor, seizures, etc.), an evaluation provides useful information about her/his
strengths and weaknesses related to various cognitive/thinking skills. This information
can be used to develop recommendations for improving the client's For instance, test
results can be used to determine the type of memory difficulties a person may be
experiencing with the goal of developing strategies for improving these abilities. For
individuals in recovery from a neurological injury, a neuropsychological evaluation can
be used to monitor their progress and assist in making decisions related to daily
functioning (e.g., return to work or school, living independently, return to driving,
accommodations that may be useful for improving performance at work and school,
etc.). Baseline test data can be used as a comparison for follow-up evaluations to
determine if a person’s functioning is improving, remaining similar, or worsening over
time. This information is often useful for neurologists and other physicians in
determining a specific diagnosis and potential treatments, as well as updating
recommendations.
Neuropsychological evaluations can be useful for diagnosing specific types of learning
disabilities (e.g., Reading Disorder/Dyslexia) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD). Once a diagnosis is made, treatment recommendations are
formulated to improve the person’s functioning. This may include providing education
about specific strategies for improving the person's abilities (e.g., learning/memory,
organizational skills) in areas of difficulty, as well as documenting the need for
accommodations in school, work, or other settings.
For individuals referred by Vocational Rehabilitation for a neuropsychological
evaluation, the results are often used to determine strengths and weaknesses related to
vocational and academic functioning.
The following domains are typically assessed in a neuropsychological evaluation:
The length of a neuropsychological evaluation varies depending on the reason for
referral and other factors. Evaluations are typically completed in 5-7 hours and
include a review of available records, interview of the client (and significant others, if
desired), and psychometric testing. A report is written which provides a summary of
test results and recommendations. Clients receive a copy of this report, and a copy
can also be sent to the client's physician or other professionals. A feedback session is
then scheduled to review this information and answer questions related to test results
and recommendations. At that time, clients are provided with information regarding
various compensatory strategies and daily systems to put into place. Dr. Baker has
extensive experience in providing psychotherapy and cognitive retraining to individuals
with cognitive difficulties (e.g., problems with attention, memory, and organizational
skills), and shares numerous suggestions during the feedback session.
There are a variety of reasons an adult may receive a neuropsychological evaluation.
For individuals with known neurological conditions (e.g., traumatic brain injury,
stroke, tumor, seizures, etc.), an evaluation provides useful information about her/his
strengths and weaknesses related to various cognitive/thinking skills. This information
can be used to develop recommendations for improving the client's For instance, test
results can be used to determine the type of memory difficulties a person may be
experiencing with the goal of developing strategies for improving these abilities. For
individuals in recovery from a neurological injury, a neuropsychological evaluation can
be used to monitor their progress and assist in making decisions related to daily
functioning (e.g., return to work or school, living independently, return to driving,
accommodations that may be useful for improving performance at work and school,
etc.). Baseline test data can be used as a comparison for follow-up evaluations to
determine if a person’s functioning is improving, remaining similar, or worsening over
time. This information is often useful for neurologists and other physicians in
determining a specific diagnosis and potential treatments, as well as updating
recommendations.
Neuropsychological evaluations can be useful for diagnosing specific types of learning
disabilities (e.g., Reading Disorder/Dyslexia) and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity
Disorder (ADHD). Once a diagnosis is made, treatment recommendations are
formulated to improve the person’s functioning. This may include providing education
about specific strategies for improving the person's abilities (e.g., learning/memory,
organizational skills) in areas of difficulty, as well as documenting the need for
accommodations in school, work, or other settings.
For individuals referred by Vocational Rehabilitation for a neuropsychological
evaluation, the results are often used to determine strengths and weaknesses related to
vocational and academic functioning.
The following domains are typically assessed in a neuropsychological evaluation:
- Various forms of intelligence (e.g., verbal and nonverbal abilities)
- Learning and memory (both verbal and visual)
- Attention/concentration
- Language abilities
- Information processing speed
- Visual-spatial skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Sensory and motor skills
- Academic skills (e.g., reading, spelling/writing, math)
- Emotional/behavioral functioning (as this often impacts cognitive/thinking skills)
The length of a neuropsychological evaluation varies depending on the reason for
referral and other factors. Evaluations are typically completed in 5-7 hours and
include a review of available records, interview of the client (and significant others, if
desired), and psychometric testing. A report is written which provides a summary of
test results and recommendations. Clients receive a copy of this report, and a copy
can also be sent to the client's physician or other professionals. A feedback session is
then scheduled to review this information and answer questions related to test results
and recommendations. At that time, clients are provided with information regarding
various compensatory strategies and daily systems to put into place. Dr. Baker has
extensive experience in providing psychotherapy and cognitive retraining to individuals
with cognitive difficulties (e.g., problems with attention, memory, and organizational
skills), and shares numerous suggestions during the feedback session.
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