What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation typically includes three components:
- A review of your medical records
- An interview with you, and possibly another person who knows you well, such as family member, close friend, or caregiver.
- Administration of various tests that measure your abilities and mood.
Using these three sources of information, a neuropsychologist will provide you with a comprehensive report that summarizes your relevant medical history, your evaluation results, areas where your cognitive or emotional functioning has changed, and if necessary, recommendations for work, home, and family.
Why would I need a neuropsychological evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation will give you information regarding your current level of cognitive functioning (your brain’s strengths and weaknesses), recommendations for day-to-day life that will help you and your family members with your recovery, recommendations that will help you succeed at work or school, and information that will help your treatment team guide your treatment plan towards a healthy recovery.
Common questions consist of the following:
- “When can I return to work?”
- “Can I live by myself or do I need to live with someone else?”
- “What accommodations do I need for school?”
- “Am I just tired or am I depressed?”
What skills and abilities do neuropsychological tests measure?
Depending on your illness or injury, the evaluation will focus on some abilities/skills more than others:
- Attention and concentration
- Learning
- Memory
- General intelligence
- Problem solving
- Abstract thinking and planning
- Visual and spatial perception
- Academic skills
What should I bring to the evaluation?
- Get a good night’s sleep the night before
- Give yourself plenty of time to get to your appointment
- Eat something before your appointment so you are comfortable until your lunch break
- Bring glasses, hearing aids, etc.
- Bring a list of your current medication(s)
- Bring completed questionnaires/intake form
- Bring current ID and insurance card
- Bring a form of payment (check or credit card) in case you have a copay
- Bring any medical records or school records (if you are in school) related to your injury
Will I find out the results of my evaluation?
Typically, a feedback session will be scheduled once your report is complete. Feedback sessions are usually scheduled for 30-60 minutes depending on the severity of your illness/injury.
Who will receive the results of my evaluation?
Your confidential neuropsychological evaluation report will typically only be read by you (the patient) and the provider who referred you (e.g., physician, attorney, rehabilitation specialist, etc.).
