What is a Neuropsychological Assessment?
While the term may sound confusing or frightening, neuropsychological assessment can provide valuable insights into an individual's functioning, and highlight strengths and weaknesses. Atif B. Malik, M.D., defines neuropsychological assessment as a "testing method through which a neuropsychologist can acquire data about a subject's cognitive, motor, behavioral, linguistic, and executive functioning." It can consist of many different assessments designed to understand various parts of functioning controlled by the brain. The assessment can also help determine a plan for working with any problems the test uncovers. As such, it can be an important part of creating a treatment plan for learning disabilities and other neuropsychological problems.
When To Seek Neuropsychological Assessment
Neuropsychological assessments are more appropriate in some circumstances than in others. If an individual appears to have cognitive difficulties, or has experienced cognitive changes, an assessment can help determine the nature of these difficulties. For children, missed developmental milestones, such as language acquisition, may indicate that a neuropsychological assessment is needed. Individuals with head injury, learning or attention disability, exposure to drugs or toxins, seizure, or neurodegenerative disorders may also require an assessment. In many cases, a doctor will recommend neuropsychological assessment if they feel it is necessary. Psychoeducational and psychovocational assessments are used in other circumstances.
The Testing Process
According to Dr. Malik, the various tests given in a neuropsychological assessment evaluate an individual's strengths and weaknesses in the following areas:
- Intellectual functioning
- Academic achievement
- Language processing
- Visuospatial processing
- Attention/concentration
- Verbal learning and memory
- Visual learning and memory
- Executive functions
- Speed of processing
- Sensory-perceptual functions
- Motor speed and strength
- Motivation/symptom validity
- Personality assessment
These domains are assessed through a number of different tests, some given on a computer, some with pencil and paper, some as verbal responses to an interviewer, and some involving the manipulation of objects. The neuropsychologist will also interview the patient and/or their family members to gather background information, family history, medical history, behavioral observations, and reasons for seeking assessment. All the tests are non-invasive, and, while a day of neuropsychological testing may be long, it should be not be too stressful.
Benefits of Neuropsychological Assessment
Neuropsychological assessments can help (but not always conclusively) diagnose a number of different conditions, including ADD/ADHD, autism, dementia,concussion, learning disabilities, and problems with executive function. They offer insight into memory, language use, visual-spatial reasoning, processing speed, and other cognitive functions. They can also help rule out other disorders, or determine a need for further testing.
The information obtained in a neuropsychological assessment can be life changing for patients. Accurate diagnosis is critical to determining what future actions are needed. Whether a neuropsychologist is able to make a clear diagnosis, or determines that further testing is needed, the assessment results provide valuable and in-depth information about an individual's cognitive abilities. This information can be used to create a treatment plan that works with a person's strengths and around their weaknesses. The assessment provides a starting point for improving performance and satisfaction in the classroom, workplace, and home.
Learn more about neuropsychological assessment by contacting West Coast Psychological Services