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If you want to schedule neuropsychological testing, please CLICK HERE.
Solving the Puzzle
If you are facing a challenge or difficulty in learning, behavior, or development, you are probably seeking to understand it better: why is it so hard? You are probably looking for solutions for the struggles you face every day. At the NeuroDevelopment Center, we have found that careful and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment can help you to put the pieces together to solve the puzzle.
Neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships. Everything we do is governed by the brain, whether we are awake or asleep, at work or at play, learning a new skill or practicing a familiar routine. While much is now known about how the brain functions in general and how brain areas and systems give rise to complex human behavior, still there are important individual differences in how each individual brain functions. We each have a unique profile of strengths and weaknesses in brain function which shape the specific way we approach the world.
This profile is often the key to a better and more complete understanding of neurologically-based difficulties or challenges and more effective and efficient solutions. At the NeuroDevelopment Center, we will work with you to complete a careful neuropsychological assessment to provide you with this key to understanding and successful intervention.
What are Neuropsychological Evaluations?
A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of cognitive and behavioral functions using a set of standardized tests and procedures. This testing is performed by a neuropsychologist, a clinical psychologist with specialized training and experience in the field of neuropsychology. Various mental functions are systematically tested, including, but not limited to:
Intelligence
Language
Perceptual/Visuospatial Abilities
Processing Speed
Memory and Learning
Attention
Executive Functions (Problem solving, conceptualization, planning and organization, and cognitive flexibility)
Motor Skills
Academic abilities
Emotional & Social Functioning, Behavior, and Personality
By evaluating these areas of functioning, a profile of strengths and weakness can be developed and employed to create a comprehensive plan to harness your strengths in order to help you develop those areas needing improvement.
Accurate Diagnosis, Practical Recommendations
Neuropsychological testing also helps us to accurately diagnose the problem. While most people have concerns about a label being used, a formal diagnosis is often practically necessary to obtain needed services. More importantly, an accurate and complete diagnosis points the way to effective help. You need to know what is really wrong to know how to address the problem most effectively.
Most important though are the detailed, specific, step by step practical recommendations that will help you successfully tackle the challenges you face.
A Team-Based Approach to Assessment
At the NeuroDevelopment Center, we will work with you in a team approach to put the pieces together. Each evaluation begins with a thorough history of the problems or difficulties that are the focus of the assessment. With children and adolescents, we understand that parents are a vital source of information about their children. Parents voices are always heard in our evaluations completely and carefully. Teachers and other school professionals also provide a critical source of information, as do medical and other involved professionals. Often, the children also have much that is important to reveal about their difficulties. Finally, we aim to supplement this picture of the child with information gained from standardized testing and highly trained and practiced observation.
This is the team we form parents, children, teachers, other professionals, and us. Our job then is to put this information together to reveal the unique pattern of strengths and weaknesses and to craft a set of recommendations to solve the problems identified.
When is a Neuropsychological Evaluation Needed?
A neuropsychological evaluation is recommended whenever brain-based impairment in cognitive function or behavior is suspected. Typical referrals are made to diagnose or rule out the following conditions, and to describe their impact on a person's cognitive functioning:
Developmental Disabilities & Autistic Spectrum Disorders
Learning Disabilities & Attention Disorders
Psychiatric Populations (including Mood Disorders & Problems with Anxiety)
Traumatic Brain Injuries, Seizure Disorders, & Cerebrovascular Problems
Neurocognitive Difficulties from Medical Conditions (e.g., Cancer)
Substance Abuse & Sexual Abuse Issues
Personality Disorders
Neuropsychological evaluation can assist greatly in planning educational and vocational programs. For example, a specific learning disorder may be assessed through the use of intellectual/cognitive testing and academic achievement testing in basic skill areas such as reading, writing, and math. The results can then be used to ascertain whether or not an individual has a specific learning disability, and as such, be important in determining eligibility for special education or remedial services.
Practical Matters
The comprehensive neuropsychological assessment involves a thorough interview, a review of all past records, as well as approximately 5 to 8 hours of one-on-one testing, depending on age. You have the choice of scheduling a single day of testing, or to divide it up between two half-days. This latter choice is often preferable, as the children expend much cognitive energy during the evaluation process.
Upon completion of the evaluation, we will meet with you for a feedback session, where the comprehensive evaluation will be reviewed in depth. You will receive a copy of the completed evaluation at that time. We encourage you to remain in contact with us, should any questions arise.
Note Regarding Diagnostic, Psychological and Neuropsychological Evaluations
Your evaluation here at the NeuroDevelopment Center will involve multiple steps. There will be an initial interview, perhaps some follow-up interview sessions. Psychological, neuropsychological, educational, and/or developmental testing may be conducted.You will be asked to complete a variety of questionnaires and rating scales; other observers may be asked to complete rating scales as well.
Once all of these tests are administered and rating scales completed and returned to us, the psychologist working with you will spend many hours scoring these tests and comparing the scores to the norms.
Next, the psychologist will spend a considerable amount of time putting all of this information together to determine the appropriate diagnoses, to form an accurate and complete picture of your strengths and weaknesses and your unique psychological or neuropsychological profile, and to prepare a detailed report of these findings as well as a comprehensive set of specific recommendations.
Finally, our psychologist will meet with you to review his/her findings and discuss the treatment recommendations.
Other than the interviews and the office visits when the tests are administered, all of this work is done in addition to scheduled visits.
Psychologists are compensated for the time they spend working on your behalf in office visits you attend, in scoring and interpretation of tests, and in report preparation. This fact is recognized by all insurers, who accept and reimburse for assessment and evaluation services based on the number of clinical hours spent in administering, scoring, and interpreting tests, and in report preparation.
Please be aware then that you will be billed for time spend working on your evaluation in addition to the hours spent in the office.
Further information
If you have any further questions about whether a neuropsychological evaluation is right for you, your child, or adolescent, or would like to discuss your particular concerns about your case, please call Dr. Joseph Vandergrift directly at (401) 351-7779.
For more information about neuropsychological assessment, you can also visit
www.nanonline.org/downloads/paio/NANPedNeuroPar.pdf.
To schedule an appointment
Please complete the online form below to request an appointment for assessment.