General Frequently Asked Questions

What is Neuropsychological Testing?
Our health, development, learning, and the ability to relate with each other are governed by the health of our brain/body functions and the health of our environment. Neuropsychological testing is a means of evaluating the major functions of development: Attention, Executive Function/Self Direction, Perception, Memory, Speech, Language, Sensory, Motor, Mood and Social abilities, correlated with age, intellect, educational level, and socio-cultural factors. Brain behavior research has produced test data that systematically corresponds to specific aspects of these brain functions. This type of detailed evaluation allows us to specify strengths, weaknesses, dysfunction and impairment in development. Specific evaluations are available for all age groups: infants, early childhood, young children, older children, adults and geriatric populations. Our office specializes in Pediatric Neuropsychology: Ages birth-21 years. Neuropsychological evaluation is often used in collaboration with medical/allied health and educational information.

What is the training of a Neuropsychologist?
A neuropsychologist has a doctoral degree in psychology and a minimum of several years of additional specialized study, clinical neuroscience training, and experience. Neuropsychological training involves interdisciplinary experience/team rounds with health specialists including psychology, neurology, neuropsychiatry, developmental pediatrics, physical rehabilitation medicine, and allied health disciplines. A neuropsychologist receives specialized study in brain anatomy and physiology, human learning, human development, research measurement, and design. Professional organizations for neuropsychologists require specific training and experience for membership. Major organizations include the National Academy of Neuropsychology, the Neuropsychology Division of the American Psychological Association, and the International Neuropsychology Society.

Who can refer for Neuropsychology Evaluation?
All referrals are welcome. Physicians, allied health specialists, and educators often refer for evaluation. Oftentimes, individuals or relatives/friends of individuals seen at the office make referrals.  The highest compliment our patients can give is the referral from family and friends.  Thank you for your trust.

How is Neuropsychological evaluation different from the conventional psychological evaluation?
These two procedures are different.  Conventional psychological evaluation focuses primarily upon social/emotional issues.  Neuropsychological evaluation focuses upon brain function/brain process as it relates to disease/disorder.  Some of the most common conditions for which neuropsychological evaluation is recommended include attention and learning problems, memory disturbance, speech and language disorders, sensory/motor disturbances, Autism Spectrum Disorders, organic brain syndromes, toxic disturbances, mild à traumatic brain injury, etc.  The neuropsychological evaluation also includes an assessment of mood correlated with changing brain function and external/social factors.  Results from the neuropsychological evaluation are often used to aid in medical and allied health (speech, audiology, occupational therapy, physical therapy....) educational and vocational intervention.

How is Neuropsychological evaluation different from Neurological evaluation?
Neurological evaluation is administered by a physician.  The physician evaluation involves examination of general motor and sensory systems, general verbal and non-verbal language function, and a general evaluation of mood.  Overt abnormality is usually revealed in this examination.  Dysfunction versus damage or “soft” symptoms associated with brain disease/disorder, especially disturbances of cognitive/language functions, may not be detected.  The most sensitive indicators of brain injury, developmental disorders, learning disability, etc., are often deficits in physically subtle, although behaviorally significant, affecting attention, perception, memory, language, motor, cognitive and mood functions. These brain-behavior functions are assessed in a neuropsychological evaluation.  The neuropsychological evaluation uses normative data comparing individuals with other individuals of similar age, gender, handedness, intellect, and educational levels.  Neurologists and Neuropsychologists often work together in order to promote holistic assessment and treatment.

How much time is involved in Neuropsychological evaluation?
Neuropsychological evaluation is timely because it is a thorough examination of brain -behavior processes and/or changes in the development of attention, executive function, perception, memory, speech, language, sensory, motor, and mood abilities.  The number of tests involved in the evaluation depends upon the purpose for evaluation, specific referral questions, and your child’s history.   The evaluation can usually be completed within 3-4 short test sessions. A comfortable schedule that meets your child’s needs is arranged.

Pertinent medical, allied health, educational, family and social information is reviewed.  Test data is scored and interpreted, and an in-depth review of the test results and interdisciplinary recommendations with family is scheduled. Reports and/or conferences with referring physicians, schools, and allied health professionals are available upon signed releases of information.

Is Neuropsychological evaluation covered by insurance?
Neuropsychological evaluations are health-based tests of central nervous system/brain function, as approved and coded by the American Psychological Association and the American Medical Association.  As such, neuropsychological evaluation is covered by the majority of insurance carriers.  Please consult your insurance carrier and/or your insurance manual for specific details.  You are given specific consultation, evaluation and treatment codes that can help you regarding insurance reimbursement.  Our office staff is also happy to answer any questions you may have.

We hope this information has been helpful. Please contact the office at any time if you have questions or concerns. We are happy to speak with you. You will find that the staff at our office are committed to children, their health, development, and learning. We are dedicated to the increased understanding of brain-behavior development and promoting the quality of life of those we serve.

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