Neuropsychological Evaluations
Dr. Brislin specializes in neuropsychological assessment of organic and acquired brain injury including dementia and other age-related cognitive decline, head injury, cerebrovascular disease, adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and other conditions that may affect cognitive function.
What is neuropsychology?
Neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships. Clinical neuropsychology is a distinct specialization in the field of psychology that is used to identify what cognitive problems might exist and how best to address them.
What is a neuropsychological evaluation and how can it be helpful?
A neuropsychological evaluation is a standardized method for assessing cognitive functioning. The focus of the evaluation is on cognitive systems including attention, language, memory, and executive system functions, as well as personality and psychological functioning. Testing can help provide answers by pinpointing the primary diagnosis and providing potential solutions. The evaluation can also assist in determining the extent of cognitive impairment (if any), monitor the course of disease progression, assess the degree of recovery from brain injury, and evaluate the cognitive effects of various interventions (e.g., surgery or medication). Valuable information for rehabilitation, including issues related to treatment, return to work/school, and return to independent living may also be provided.
Who should get a neuropsychological assessment?
An evaluation is typically recommended when there is suspected impairment in cognition, behavior, and/or emotion. Often, individuals are referred by other medical professionals including neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and primary care physicians.
Those suffering from any of the following conditions are appropriate for referral:
Concussion or traumatic brain injury, stroke, tumor, seizure disorder, dementia (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease), developmental learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, neuropsychiatric disorders, immunodeficiency syndromes, Lyme disease, effects of toxic chemicals or chronic substance abuse
Reasons why an adult might be referred for a neuropsychological evaluation include:
What is the neuropsychological evaluation process like?
First Appointment: Initial Interview (1 hour)
Dr. Brislin will begin by meeting with you for a clinical interview in which she will discuss what has been happening in your life that has led to the neuropsychological evaluation. With your permission, Dr. Brislin may also ask for input from your family. She may also ask for previous medical records including radiological exams (e.g., MRI, CT scan), previous neuropsychological evaluation results, or other recent lab results.
Second Appointment: Testing (3-6 hours)
You will be asked to complete a variety of measures with the examiner which includes standardized tests assessing attention, memory, intelligence, language, sensory-perceptual skills, and reasoning capacity. Personality and emotional functioning are also typically assessed as part of the comprehensive evaluation.
It is important that you are well rested, nourished, and equipped with any necessary hearing and/or visual aids, such as glasses or contact lenses. The amount of time required for an evaluation varies, and depends on the problem being assessed. However, it usually takes several hours to complete everything that is necessary for a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Appointments last at least 3 hours, but may involve up to 6 hours of testing. Most people complete the evaluation on a single day, but occasionally it is necessary for someone to return on a second day to complete testing.
Third Appointment: Feedback Session (30min – 1 hour)
Dr. Brislin will compose a detailed report, including a summary of the history and neuropsychological test results, as well as proposed diagnoses, and corresponding recommendations. She will review the information contained in this report with you and your family (if applicable) at a scheduled feedback session. Dr. Brislin will send copies of the report to other medical professionals and seek integrated care at your discretion.
Dr. Brislin specializes in neuropsychological assessment of organic and acquired brain injury including dementia and other age-related cognitive decline, head injury, cerebrovascular disease, adult attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and other conditions that may affect cognitive function.
What is neuropsychology?
Neuropsychology is the study of brain-behavior relationships. Clinical neuropsychology is a distinct specialization in the field of psychology that is used to identify what cognitive problems might exist and how best to address them.
What is a neuropsychological evaluation and how can it be helpful?
A neuropsychological evaluation is a standardized method for assessing cognitive functioning. The focus of the evaluation is on cognitive systems including attention, language, memory, and executive system functions, as well as personality and psychological functioning. Testing can help provide answers by pinpointing the primary diagnosis and providing potential solutions. The evaluation can also assist in determining the extent of cognitive impairment (if any), monitor the course of disease progression, assess the degree of recovery from brain injury, and evaluate the cognitive effects of various interventions (e.g., surgery or medication). Valuable information for rehabilitation, including issues related to treatment, return to work/school, and return to independent living may also be provided.
Who should get a neuropsychological assessment?
An evaluation is typically recommended when there is suspected impairment in cognition, behavior, and/or emotion. Often, individuals are referred by other medical professionals including neurologists, psychiatrists, psychologists, and primary care physicians.
Those suffering from any of the following conditions are appropriate for referral:
Concussion or traumatic brain injury, stroke, tumor, seizure disorder, dementia (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease), developmental learning disabilities, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, neuropsychiatric disorders, immunodeficiency syndromes, Lyme disease, effects of toxic chemicals or chronic substance abuse
Reasons why an adult might be referred for a neuropsychological evaluation include:
- To clarify changes in cognition (e.g., memory, attention), behavior, and/or personality
- Identification of cognitive strengths and weaknesses
- Differential diagnosis (e.g., depression vs. dementia)
- Treatment planning and rehabilitation recommendations
- To assist in understanding complex relationship between psychological and neurological conditions
What is the neuropsychological evaluation process like?
First Appointment: Initial Interview (1 hour)
Dr. Brislin will begin by meeting with you for a clinical interview in which she will discuss what has been happening in your life that has led to the neuropsychological evaluation. With your permission, Dr. Brislin may also ask for input from your family. She may also ask for previous medical records including radiological exams (e.g., MRI, CT scan), previous neuropsychological evaluation results, or other recent lab results.
Second Appointment: Testing (3-6 hours)
You will be asked to complete a variety of measures with the examiner which includes standardized tests assessing attention, memory, intelligence, language, sensory-perceptual skills, and reasoning capacity. Personality and emotional functioning are also typically assessed as part of the comprehensive evaluation.
It is important that you are well rested, nourished, and equipped with any necessary hearing and/or visual aids, such as glasses or contact lenses. The amount of time required for an evaluation varies, and depends on the problem being assessed. However, it usually takes several hours to complete everything that is necessary for a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation. Appointments last at least 3 hours, but may involve up to 6 hours of testing. Most people complete the evaluation on a single day, but occasionally it is necessary for someone to return on a second day to complete testing.
Third Appointment: Feedback Session (30min – 1 hour)
Dr. Brislin will compose a detailed report, including a summary of the history and neuropsychological test results, as well as proposed diagnoses, and corresponding recommendations. She will review the information contained in this report with you and your family (if applicable) at a scheduled feedback session. Dr. Brislin will send copies of the report to other medical professionals and seek integrated care at your discretion.