Neuropsychology Assessments
Neuropsychology evaluations provide a wealth of information, offering a host of answers to important diagnostic, treatment, and other questions.
Neuropsychology assessments are performed for several reasons. At Memory Matters, we offer the following assessment services:
1. Diagnostic assessments
Some conditions are defined by the presence of cognitive impairment. Neuropsychological assessments can provide valuable information to help your doctor diagnose and manage your condition.
Our diagnostic assessments help to identify the existence and nature of dysfunction in memory, cognition, intellect, behaviour, and emotions. This information helps in understanding the presence of brain dysfunction and differentiating brain conditions from non-organic or reversible causes.
Our neuropsychologists and psychologists are trained in conducting the following diagnostic assessments:
- Dementia
- Mild cognitive impairment
- Concussion/mild, moderate, and severe traumatic brain injury
- ADHD
- Learning disorders
- Intellectual disability
2. Rehabilitation and Support Needs Assessments
Neuropsychological assessments can help to detail how a disease, brain injury, or other condition, such as dementia or a psychiatric disorder, is expressed through your cognition, behaviour, and emotional reactions. They can help to form an understand of why you may be experiencing difficulties in your everyday functioning.
Our neuropsychologists are committed to ensuring our assessments are meaningful by explaining the associations between cognitive performance and achievements in everyday life. Our comprehensive reports offer detailed explanations of the interpretation of the results, how they translate to real world function, and what supports may be required to meet your potential.
Neuropsychological assessments are also invaluable in tracking change over time, and can be helpful in monitoring recovery from brain disorders, tracking change associated with degenerative diseases, predicting neuropsychological outcome from proposed medical treatments (e.g., temporal lobectomy for intractable epilepsy or DBS for Parkinson’s disease), and monitoring treatment response (e.g., dexamphetamine for ADHD, parkinsonian medications, the benefit of rehabilitation therapies).
We offer the following rehabilitation and functional assessments:
- Functional capacity/support needs reviews
- NDIS access and plan review
- Brain injury rehabilitation and recovery monitoring
- Return to work, study, and driving
- Academic and school achievement
3. Capacity Assessments
Capacity is a legal concept and refers to a person’s ability to make their own decisions. In some circumstances, due to injury, illness, or other health related reasons, an individual’s ability to make certain decisions may be compromised. When this occurs, a substitute decision-maker may be required to make some or all decisions on their behalf.
Neuropsychologists are often asked to provide opinion about a person’s capacity to make decisions such as:
- Lifestyle decisions – where they live, access to certain people,
- Financial decisions – everyday finances, managing a large lump sum
- Medical decisions – regarding need for surgery or medications
- Testamentary decisions – Capacity to make or change a will
- Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) – Capacity to make, revoke, or change an EPOA
Our neuropsychologists are committed to supporting individuals to remain autonomous and legally in control of their lives for as long as possible. We understand that it can be distressing when your capacity is under question. We endeavour to explore least restrictive alternatives to substitute decision makers to retain your independence.
Neuropsychological Assessments - FAQs
What is involved in a neuropsychological assessment?
Neuropsychological assessments are person-centred and tailored to the person’s specific needs. The battery of tasks chosen is typically based on the referral question(s) and the suspected condition or conditions that need to be ruled out.
Assessment typically begins with a detailed medical record review, including medical and psychiatric history, medications, laboratory results, and neuroimaging reports, and an in-depth clinical interview. A variety of neuropsychological tasks (primarily paper-pencil tasks) are then administered. A typical neuropsychological assessment battery includes tasks designed to assess the following areas:
- General Intellect
- Reading and Comprehension
- Attention and Concentration
- Learning and Memory
- Reasoning and Executive Functions
- Visuospatial Skills
- Fine Motor Skills
- Mood and Personality
Neuropsychological evaluations can vary from one hour to five hours to complete, depending on the information sought and referral question. They are typically conducted in person at our office in Mitcham or a home visit, but we also offer telehealth assessments when face-to-face is impractical.
Can children undergo neuropsychological assessments?
Yes, children can undergo neuropsychological assessments. These assessments are often used to diagnose and understand developmental, learning, and behavioral issues in children, and to develop appropriate intervention strategies.
What should I bring to my assessment?
If you use reading glasses or a hearing aid, please make sure you have them with you for your assessment. If you have a list of your current medications, or a copy of any previous neuropsychological reports, please bring them with you. You might like to bring a snack with you, and there are also cafes nearby where you can purchase food during assessment breaks.
What happens after the assessment?
A neuropsychological report will be prepared by your psychologist following your assessment.
The report contains the neuropsychologist’s interpretation of the results and a comprehensive understanding of your strengths and weaknesses. A feedback session with your neuropsychologist to go through the assessment results, the neuropsychologist’s opinion(s) and proposed recommendations, completes the assessment process.
Is the assessment covered by insurance?
Coverage for neuropsychological assessments varies by insurance provider and policy. It is important to check with your insurance company to determine if the assessment is covered and what documentation may be required.