FAQ

Neuropsychological evaluations provide detailed information about an individual’s functioning across multiple domains that can help guide recommendations and strategies to improve functioning at home, at work, in school, and in the community.

Often, an evaluation is requested by a physician or specialist to help localize possible areas of brain damage or dysfunction and/or to clarify a differential diagnosis. An evaluation also might be requested to help monitor for any changes in cognitive abilities, behaviors, and emotional functioning over time. The information obtained from the evaluation can provide important information and recommendations to the client and family members, as well as to doctors, therapists, or other specialists working with the individual.

Key areas examined in a neuropsychological evaluation often include:

• Intellectual reasoning capacity, or IQ
• Executive functioning (skills like planning, organizing, problem-solving, etc.)
• Concentration and attentional capacity
• Language abilities
• Visual-perceptual and spatial abilities
• Memory abilities
• Sensory/perceptual and motor abilities
• Social and emotional functioning
• Academic skills (although, these are typically assessed only if there is a specific questions of a possible learning disorder)

Individuals who have known or suspected brain dysfunction. Often individuals who have experienced cognitive changes in the context of a traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative disorders, or other medical conditions that affect neurologic functioning can benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation. Similarly, those with long-standing cognitive issues since childhood or complex psychiatric histories involving mood, anxiety, trauma, or other mental health concerns often seek out neuropsychological evaluations to rule out other causes of their cognitive/behavioral symptoms to target more effective treatments and intervention strategies.

In some cases, individuals have experienced challenges that have been difficult to sort out since childhood. It is not uncommon, for example, to meet with clients who have consulted with many doctors, specialists, therapists, and/or school personnel over the years and still not have a clear understanding of their issues. Neuropsychologists synthesize information from a variety of sources, including cognitive/behavioral test data, structured assessment of social and emotional functioning, as well as collateral report from family members, teachers, or others who know the client well to help provide some clarity and guidance around these issues.

Common reasons why a student might seek out a neuropsychological evaluation often include any combination of these concerns:

• Struggling to pay attention in class
• Not following through or completing assignments
• Problems completing reading assignments because it takes too long or not understanding what was read
• Low frustration tolerance
• Taking too long to organize their thoughts
• Needing extra time for examinations
• Lack of motivation
• Declining grades in school
• Being easily distracted or finding that impulsive behaviors are interfering in completion of tasks
• Experiencing anxiety and/or depression related to school performance
• Disparity between grades in school and scores on standardized tests
• Experiencing particular difficulty with a subject, such as math, reading, writing.

Those who are frustrated by sub-optimal school performance often seek out a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation to (a) help clarify the cause(s) of their difficulties and (b) to obtain recommendations for academic accommodations when indicated. Assessment of academic skills (e.g., reading, writing, arithmetic) certainly is useful (and necessary) information, but it often is insufficient. There are any number of reasons why one might struggle in school. Sometimes an underlying reading disorder (e.g., dyslexia) represents the root cause of the difficulty. For others, their school problems might be circumscribed to math or there might be some issue related to poor motor control/speed or dysgraphia that interferes with academic success. Some students struggle primarily with attentional or executive functioning weaknesses, suggestive of a primary attentional syndrome, such as ADD/ADHD. Still others may encounter complicating psychosocial factors or co-occurring psychiatric disorders that disrupt several areas of daily life, including school performance. Thus, it is critical to understand the “whole picture” as much as possible to characterize the reason(s) underlying these struggles so as to best target recommendations that foster greater academic success and improvements in overall daily functioning.

Yes. With the combination of multiple assessment tools, including a comprehensive clinical interview, targeted cognitive/behavioral tests, use of subjective rater scales/inventories, and observations made by the examiner, a diagnosis of Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder can be made. Likewise, it is important to rule out other potential causes of attention problems that potentially could be entirely unrelated to ADD/ADHD. Thus a proper diagnosis is critical in determining the most appropriate area of treatment focus.

Yes. Neuropsychological assessments are appropriate for targeting specific learning disorders in reading, math, and writing, as well as identifying other sources of interference with learning and academics, such as Nonverbal Learning Disorders, Asperger’s disorder, psychiatric conditions, among many others.

A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is comprised of three separate appointments and is described in more detail here. Keep in mind each client is unique and designing an appropriate assessment will be individualized based on your needs and the questions you want answered. Broadly-speaking, however, a typical evaluation involves three appointment dates, including (1) a one-hour initial interview, (2) the testing appointment, which can last 2-6 hours, and (3) a one-hour feedback appointment to review the results and recommendations from the evaluation.

Some health insurance companies will cover a portion of the neuropsychological evaluation, depending on the referral question and what the insurance company determines a “medical necessity.” It is a good idea to contact your insurance company to review your health benefits. In some cases, insurance companies are more willing to pay for an evaluation if your medical doctor makes a referral for a neuropsychological evaluation.

With this in mind, Dr. Chasman accepts most major insurance plans, including:

Medicare
BCBS
Tricare (all levels)
Humana
Cigna
Aetna
UHC/Optum

Please note that health insurance companies do not cover the cost of any school-related, academic testing. If you choose to add these modules to your evaluation, the private pay out-of-pocket cost is $500.

• It is important that you eat before your evaluation appointment. It is strongly recommended that you bring snacks and/or a lunch, as the evaluation may last several hours.
• Bring a current list of your medications and their dosages.
• Please take your regularly prescribed medications, as scheduled. However, consult with your physician about optional medications that might cause drowsiness (like pain killers, anti-anxiety, allergy medications), as these can affect your test results.
• Bring your reading glasses or hearing aids.
• Bring a valid photo ID and health insurance card.
• Please arrive on time and allow for extra time for traffic, parking, and check-in. Late arrival may result in rescheduling your appointment.

The evaluation involves a clinical interview that lasts about an hour with you and, when possible, a family member (or someone who knows you well). The interview is designed to understand your history and how the cognitive and emotional difficulties you have experienced have impacted your life and daily functioning.

On a separate date, you will then complete a number of computerized and paper/pencil tests that can last anywhere from between 2-6 hours. You will be tested alone in a quiet room. If you are accompanied by family members or friends, they will be asked to wait in the waiting room.

Once the evaluation is completed, the findings will be summarized in a written report that will be sent to your referring physician or specialist. In addition, you will be provided a copy of your report, which can either be picked up in person at the office, delivered to your home via standard mail, or emailed to you, based on your preference.