A Neuropsychological assessment has a major role in diagnosis, treatment, rehabilitation, educational, and vocational planning.
Neuropsychological testing is a way of examining brain function and cognitive abilities. Neuropsychological tests are an important part of an overall evaluation because they provide an objective measure of an individual's strengths and weaknesses.
Neuropsychological assessment provides a systematic evaluation of the child or young person and typically includes a thorough review of the child's developmental, medical, educational, and family history, clinical interview with the caregiver(s), direct observation of the child, and formal psychometric testing. Behavioural reports from teachers and other relevant agencies will also be obtained with parental/guardian consent.
Formal testing may include measures of the following:
•Adaptive skills
•Attention/executive functions
•Behaviour
•Executive functions
•Intellectual functioning
•Language and language-related functions
•Learning and memory
•Non-verbal/visual processing
•Motor skills
•Personality and social-emotional functioning
•Academic/pre-academic achievement
Neuropsychological tests usually involve paper-and-pencil or computer based measures. An evaluation takes from as few as one to two hours to as many as eight hours depending on the referral question. Evaluations are flexible and tailored to a specific referral question. The results of the evaluation are often the first step in developing an effective treatment or remedial plan.