Neuropsychology is a subdivision within the discipline of clinical psychology focused on brain-behavior relationships.
Neuropsychologists are clinical psychologists with specialized training in clinical/neurologic syndromes, neuroanatomy, psychometrics, standardized test administration and interpretation, therapy, and basics of neuroimaging.
Cognitive evaluations are comprehensive assessments of cognitive and behavioral functions using standardized tests and procedures based on normative data. Multiple areas of cognition are assessed including but not limited to IQ, academic achievement, attention and concentration, executive functioning (e.g., problems solving, conceptualization, organization, planning), memory and learning, language, visuospatial functioning, perceptual and motor functioning, and emotional/personality functioning.
How can a cognitive evaluation help me?
This information can help to:
- Accurately diagnose and effectively treat complex neurological or psychiatric disorders
- Determine IQ strengths and weaknesses
- Determine grade-level achievement in classroom subjects (e.g., math, reading, spelling)
- Establish a “baseline” of cognitive functioning which can be used to compare to performance during future evaluations (e.g., as a condition worsens, remains unchanged or improves with treatment)
- Be more specific about targeting identified cognitive impairments for rehabilitation – rather than “Do some crossword puzzles or Sudoku.”
- Recommend disability resources/benefits
- Recommend educational or occupational accommodations
The benefit of referrals for cognitive evaluation are to assess the cognitive effects of neurologic and developmental conditions including:
- ADHD/ADD
- Amnesia
- Autistic disorder
- Bipolar Disorder
- CNS infection including HIV associated neurocognitive problems Epilepsy and seizure disorders
- Huntingdon’s disease
- Hypoxic and anoxic conditions (e.g., carbon monoxide poisoning, sleep apnea)
- Intracranial tumors
- Ischemic stroke and aphasic disorders
- Learning disabilities
- Multiple Sclerosis
- Neurodevelopmental disorders
- Neuropsychiatric disease Bipolar Disorder
- Non-autistic pervasive developmental disorder
- Nonverbal learning disorder
- Normal aging, mild cognitive impairment, and Alzheimer’s disease
- Parkison’s disease, progressive superanuclear palsy, corticbasal degeneration, and related disorders of the frontostriatal system
- Pre- and post-surgical functioning (e.g., neurosurgery, coronary artery bypass graft surgery, bariatric surgery, organ transplant, spinal, DBS for Parkinson’s)
- Schizophrenia
- Spina bifida and hydrocephalus
- Sport-related injuries and concussions (i.e., return-to-play decisions)
- Toxins in the CNS including alcohol, illicit drugs, heavy metals, solvents and related exposure
- Traumatic brain injury
- Vascular dementia
To view the American Psychological Association Division 40 pamphlets on adult and pediatric neuropsychology, click below:
APA Adult Neuropsychology Brochure
APA Pediatric Neuropsychology Brochure
For more information, please contact us at 919.246.9502 extension 1 or send an email to request more information to info@ncnba.com.