What You Need To Know About Assessment

Neuropsychological Assessment for Memory, Thinking and Attention  

We provide neuropsychological and psychological assessments to a wide variety of clients on the basis of physician referrals.  

Neuropsychological evaluation is recommended for individuals who display or recognize difficulties or changes in their thinking, memory, speech, personality or other behaviors that significantly interfere with activities of daily living.  

Neuropsychological assessment involves the evaluation of brain functioning across a range of neurological and medical conditions. Test batteries are tailored to address specific referral needs and can assist with:

  • differential diagnosis
  • symptom monitoring
  • decision-making capacity
  • care planning

We also provide specific recommendations for:

  • work or school accommodations, when appropriate
  • independent living and ADLs (ability to drive, manage finances, manage medication or make independent decisions).


Common types of clients served include those with:
 o   Attention problems

o   Memory difficulties

o   Developmental disorders

o   Mood disorders (e.g. Anxiety, Depression & Somatization disorders)

o   Brain Tumors

o   Epilepsy and seizure disorders

o   Stroke and cerebrovascular disorders*

o   Acquired brain Injury (concussion & traumatic brain injury)*

o   Dementia & Mild Cognitive Impairment*

o   Movement Disorders (e.g. Parkinson’s and Huntington’s disease)

o   Systemic diseases affecting the brain or central nervous system

(e.g. systemic lupus erythematosus)

o   Demyelinating diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis

o   Various other medical conditions (e.g. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease & diabetes)

 

All clients are provided with comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations of memory and other cognitive abilities, behavior, and emotion. These evaluations are an important component of the diagnostic process and allow quantified evaluation of functional abilities.

 

*Behavioral management: patients and their families are provided with guidance in managing the cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes associated with aging and dementia.

 

What is a neuropsychological evaluation / assessment?  

Neuropsychological assessment involves the collection, interpretation, and integration of objective and subjective test data collected through standardized measures and clinical interview with the client and/or family/spouse.  

Test batteries are tailored to address your referral needs and may assess the following:

  • mental status, intellectual functioning, academic skills, language, memory,
  • spatial/constructional, motor abilities, processing speed, attention/concentration,
  • reasoning/problem solving, mood and personality, and behavioral health.
  •  

Our assessments are typically completed within one day, and a comprehensive report with detailed recommendations follows within about two weeks.   

Neuropsychology Patient Forms

  • Pre-assessment forms – complete and bring with you to your scheduled appointment
  • Pre-registration –On-Line link

 Additional patient information and resources


 How to prepare for your Neuropsychological Assessment 

Your visit can last from four-to-six hours, depending on the questions asked by your doctor and the needs found by the neuropsychologist.

  • Complete all of the Pre-Assessment forms (LINK) beforehand and bring them with you.
  • Incomplete forms will delay the appointment and may result in rescheduling.

Follow the recommended guidelines:  

  • Please dress comfortably.
  • Get a good night’s rest before your appointment.
  • Take your daily prescribed medications. Also, bring these with you, so that you can take them at the normal times if that is necessary.
  • Bring glasses for reading or a hearing aid if you normally wear these.
  • Bring snacks with you if you feel you will get hungry during the day. If testing goes into the afternoon, ample time for a lunch break will be provided.
  • If you have a family member or friend who knows your condition or current problems, please bring them with you. During the tests, your family members or friends will be asked to leave the room.
  • Bring a valid identification card and insurance card (if applicable).
  •  AVOID the following:
  • Avoid optional medications that cause drowsiness, such as pain killers, and anti-anxiety and allergy medications.
  • Abstain from all caffeine including cold and hot drinks, energy drinks, pills or chocolate treats. 

 When is assessment appropriate?  

Referrals are typically made to diagnose or rule out neurological conditions, and to describe their impact on your daily functioning.  

The information collected by the neuropsychologist will go to your doctor who will use it to make future decisions about your health care.  

***Confidential self-referred evaluations are also available. These results will be shared with you directly. You decide where your results should go.  


Baseline: With some conditions where there is an expected progression over time (e.g., Alzheimer's disease, brain tumors), a baseline evaluation is useful in interpreting possible changes shown in future evaluations.  

Monitor Progress: A neuropsychological evaluation is helpful for tracking progress for clients undergoing rehabilitation.  

Planning: Neuropsychological evaluations can assist greatly in planning educational and vocational programs.  


Behaviors  

The types of behaviors that might indicate the need for an evaluation include:  

  • Memory loss
  • Attention and concentration problems
  • Difficulty organizing and planning
  • Difficulty with multitasking
  • Difficulty communicating
  • Changes in spatial skills or vision
  • Difficulty writing or reading 
  • Disturbed thinking or confusion
  • Increased impulsivity 
  •    

Results - What happens once my assessment is completed

 

Once the testing is complete, the neuropsychologist will examine the results.

  • Your results are compared with the results of people of the same age who have a similar background.
  • If you've been tested before, your previous scores will be compared to the new results.
  • A comprehensive report will be sent to your referring doctor within one to two weeks.
    • Please call your doctor for the results or,
    • You can schedule a follow-up session with us to review the details of your results.

***Confidential self-referred evaluations are also available. These results will be shared with you directly. You decide where your results should go. 
 

What Is Neuropsychological Assessment Like?

 

  • During your visit, you will meet with the neuropsychologist. The doctor will ask you about your medical history and the specific concerns that brought you to the neuropsychology clinic.
  • The doctor will often spend additional time talking to your spouse, parent, child or other family member who accompanied you in order to obtain more specific information about your history and current condition.
  • You will spend the majority of your appointment working with a psychometrist/psychology assistant who will do the testing with you. You may be asked to answer questions, read, write or draw.
  • You may also complete measures that will help the doctor understand how your illness or injury affects your mood, your personality, or your coping skills.
  • During the tests, your family members or friends will be asked to leave the room.             
  •  

Contact Us

Our 2 Locations

Visit Our Kettering or Yellow Springs Location!

Availability

Primary

Monday:

Neurofeedback

4:00 PM-8:00 PM

Tuesday:

Neurofeedback

4:00 PM-8:00 PM

Wednesday:

Sleep Clinic

8:00 AM-5:00 PM

Thursday:

Neurofeedback

12:00 PM-6:00 PM

Friday:

9:00 am-2:00 PM

Saturday:

Neurofeedback

9:00 AM-1:00 PM

Sunday:

Closed

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