(Please consult your medical doctor for further information.)

A Neuropsychological Assessment (or Neuropsych Assessment) is a comprehensive evaluation of how a person’s brain is functioning. It’s used to understand cognitive strengths and weaknesses by testing various mental abilities. These assessments are done by clinical psychologists with specialized training in neuropsychology.

What It Measures:

Neuropsych assessments test a wide range of cognitive functions, such as:

Memory (short-term, long-term, visual, verbal)

Attention and concentration

Executive functions (planning, organizing, problem-solving, self-control)

Language skills (understanding and producing speech)

Visual-spatial skills (understanding visual information)

Motor skills

Emotional and psychological functioning

Why It’s Done:

Neuropsychological testing can help:

Diagnose conditions like ADHD, dementia, learning disorders, traumatic brain injury, stroke, or psychiatric conditions.

Understand the impact of a brain injury or illness.

Guide treatment planning and educational or occupational support.

Monitor cognitive changes over time (e.g., in Alzheimer’s or MS).

What It Involves:

A clinical interview (medical, developmental, educational, psychological history)

Paper-and-pencil or computerized tests

Observations of behavior during testing

Sometimes questionnaires for family, teachers, or caregivers

Duration:

Can take 2 to 8 hours, depending on the referral question and how comprehensive the testing needs to be.

Shervan K Shahhian