The Multiple Facets of Neuropsychological Assessments

For those that aren’t sure what a neuropsychological assessment is, the simple explanation is that it is a test that helps neuropsychologists diagnose test-takers with various neurological conditions, which can include ADHD, mental health disorders, autism, and brain damage from traumatic brain injuries.

With the wide expanse of conditions that can be diagnosed and evaluated using neuropsychological assessments, it should come as no surprise that neuropsychological assessments also consist of many different types of tests in many different formats. Neuropsychological testing is applicable to all individuals, and this is evident in its immense flexibility.

Online Evaluations

Advancements in technology have made it possible to offer online neuropsychological assessments. This option makes the testing process,which can last a few hours, easier, more comfortable, and more convenient to undergo.

With online neuropsychological testing options, it is easier than ever to fit a neuropsychological assessment into your schedulebecause of the added flexibility this option offers. This is especially beneficial for parents whose child needs a neuropsychological evaluation, andsetting aside blocks of time becomes difficult to juggle with all the other commitments the parent has.

When it comes to convenience, online neuropsychological assessments are the preferred option. For kids who are nervous about undergoing their assessment, having it online means they can complete it in their home, a place that brings them extra comfort and may ease any nervousness.

An Evaluation for All Ages

The beauty in the flexibility of neuropsychological assessments is that they can be adapted to individuals of all ages and conditions. For example, these assessments can be used to diagnose ADHD in children while also determining the extent of brain damage in a young adult that received a concussion.

This adaptability makes them appealing for evaluating individuals of all ages because age plays a large role in what is expected of someone. A young child is not expected to understand and complete the same tasks as a teenager, and the assessments can be modified to reflect this while still obtaining the information necessary to make an accurate diagnosis.

A Wide Range of Diagnosable Conditions

As mentioned briefly, neurological evaluations can be used to diagnose a wide range of conditions, some of which include:

• attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
• depression
• anxiety
• Autism spectrum disorder (ASD)
• traumatic brain injuries
• dementia

Neuropsychological evaluations possess the ability to evaluate this wide range of conditions because they analyze basic capabilities that are a prominent part of daily living, including your:

• intelligence
• language
• visual-spatial abilities
• fine motor skill
• speed of information processing
• memory, learning, and academic abilities
• emotional and social functioning
• cognitive flexibility
• problem-solving and conceptualization
• planning and organization
• visual tracking

This is quite a range of skills being analyzed, but this wide-ranging analysis is what allows neuropsychological assessments to paint a full picture of someone’s neurological capabilities and provide a proper diagnosis.

If you are interested in scheduling a neuropsychological assessment, either in-person or online, reach out to Abbey Neuropsychology Clinic at (650) 215-6840and a talented member of our staff will assist you.

Sources

[1] https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/adult-adhd/symptoms-causes/syc-20350878

[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neuropsychological_assessment

[3] https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diagnostics/4893-neuropsychological-testing-and-assessment