Assessments and Evaluations
1. A neuropsychological or psychological assessment is used to obtain several types of information. A comprehensive evaluation may be requested by your doctor, another healthcare provider or others. The evaluation may help in:
a. Finding possible problems with your functioning
b. Forming a diagnosis
c. Defining your strengths and weaknesses
d. Guiding treatment for your personal, educational or vocational needs
e. Making relevant recommendations to your health care provider(s), and/or
f. Documenting possible changes in your functioning over time
2. Neuropsychological Assessments
a. Involves non-invasive testing that is sensitive to problems in brain functioning
b. Explains how well the brain is working when it performs certain functions
c. Tests assess areas such as attention and memory, reasoning and problem-solving, visual-spatial functions, language functions, sensory-perceptual functions, motor functions, academic skills, and emotional functioning.
d. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment is usually scheduled over two days as it requires 8-12 hours to complete
3. Psychological Assessments
a. Involves non-invasive testing that is sensitive to problems in emotional functioning
b. Helps identify both acute and long-term factors that may be contributing to difficulties in functioning
c. A comprehensive psychological assessment usually requires 4 hours to complete
4. Worker’s Compensation Evaluations
a. Usually requested by a claim’s manager, nurse case manager or vocational expert
b. May be either a psychological and neuropsychological assessment or both
5. Fitness For Duty Examinations
a. Usually requested by employer to assess problems that may be contributing to work-related concerns
b. May either a psychological and neuropsychological assessment or both
6. Competency Evaluations
a. Often requested to aid in assessing capacity for various activities such as executing a will, making financial decisions, entering into contracts, etc.
b. May either a psychological and neuropsychological assessment or both