Adult Neuropsychological Evaluation
A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive evaluation of cognitive functions to diagnose and understand brain-related conditions, guiding effective treatment plans. There are three main parts of an evaluation: the clinical interview; clinical testing; and results and feedback.
Why are adults referred for neuropsychological evaluation?
Adults are referred by a doctor, therapist, or other professional because of concerns such as:
Memory problems or cognitive changes
Attention and concentration difficulties
Learning disabilities or academic struggles
Brain injury from accidents, stroke, or other medical conditions
Neurological conditions like dementia, Parkinson's disease, or multiple sclerosis
Mental health conditions affecting cognitive function
Substance use recovery and cognitive assessment
Work-related cognitive concerns or disability evaluations
What is assessed in an adult neuropsychological evaluation?
There are three main parts of an evaluation: the clinical interview, clinical testing, and results and feedback.
Clinical Interview
The clinical interview may incorporate collateral reports from family, friends, and/or healthcare providers, as well as a review of available medical, educational, and/or work records as needed. The clinical interview is followed by a comprehensive assessment of brain function using standardized tests.
Clinical Testing
A typical neuropsychological evaluation may assess these areas:
Intelligence - Overall thinking abilities and problem-solving skills
Academic skills - Reading, writing, and math abilities
Attention and Executive Functioning - Focus, organization, planning, and mental flexibility
Memory and Learning - Ability to learn new information and remember it over time
Language - Speaking, understanding, reading, and writing skills
Visual-spatial skills - Understanding visual information and spatial relationships
Motor coordination - Fine and gross motor abilities
Processing speed - How quickly you can complete mental tasks
Emotional and behavioral functioning - Mood, personality, and coping skills
Some abilities may be measured in more detail than others, depending on your individual needs and the reason for referral. Observing your motivation, cooperation, and behavior during testing is a very important part of the evaluation.
Tests may include paper and pencil activities, hands-on tasks, answering questions, and sometimes using a computer. Various types of stimuli including visual, auditory, and manual tasks are used as deemed clinically appropriate to your specific situation.
Results & Feedback
Following testing, results are interpreted in the context of a person's clinical history and current functioning to inform clinically indicated diagnoses and treatment recommendations. The neuropsychologist will prepare a report outlining the findings and recommendations. A feedback session will be scheduled where the neuropsycholost will review the report and answer questions.
What can we expect from an adult neuropsychological evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation usually includes an interview about your history, observation during testing, and comprehensive cognitive testing. Family members or close friends may be asked to fill out questionnaires about your functioning and any changes they have noticed.
A trained examiner or technician may assist with the administration and scoring of tests, so you may see more than one person during the evaluation. The time required depends on your specific needs and the referral questions, but evaluations typically take several hours and may be completed over multiple appointments.
How to prepare for your neuropsychological evaluation
Please be sure to:
Get a good night's sleep before the testing
Bring glasses, hearing aids, or any other devices you normally use
Bring a list of all current medications
Continue taking prescribed medications unless specifically instructed otherwise
Bring previous testing reports, medical records, or educational documentation if you have them
Arrange for someone to drive you if you expect to be tired after a long evaluation
Eat a normal meal before testing to maintain your energy level
The detailed information gathered during your neuropsychological evaluation will help your healthcare team better understand your cognitive functioning and develop appropriate treatment recommendations to support your goals.