Over View of Neuropsychological Evaluation (NPE)

Neuropsychological Evaluation (NPE) is a testing methodology using which a neuropsychologist acquires necessary data about an individual’s cognitive, motor, behavioral, linguistic and executive functioning. This test could differ depending on different age groups of subjects, like a neuropsychological testing child (Minors), teenagers, adults, and old people as well. The results of the test provide data which is essential for diagnosing any kind of cognitive deficit or disorders associated with the subject as well as to the localization of organic abnormalities in the central nervous system.

The neuropsychological evaluation involves measuring a person’s abilities, such as:

1. Memory
2. Reading
3. Attention/concentration
4. Reasoning
5. Higher abilities called executive functions (Implementation of Knowledge)

Why do school teachers or mentors request neuropsychological assessment?

• It helps identify disorders and higher abilities (executive functions)

The test results for helps the psychologist to understand descriptively where does the thinking capabilities of a child stand. Are there any disorders? Is the child bestowed with some higher ability of logical reasoning? and many other things. These test results also help determine if someone’s cognitive changes are due to normal aging, a neurological illness, depression or anxiety. These results are then considered when the psychologist plans a treatment or consultation for addressing the problems of the subject and help to cure them.

• To determine cognitive strengths and weaknesses

In some cases, the doctor (who is not a neuropsychologist) might order tests for a patient who has recently been a victim of any sort of serious head injuries, such as traumatic brain injury or stroke. To figure out which cognitive function has changed and how much they have altered.

• Helps to establish a baseline

In some cases, an examination is performed before and after a medical or surgical treatment to determine if cognitive abilities were affected by the intervention. Re-examination is requested at some point after the baseline can also demonstrate how well an individual is recovering from a stroke or traumatic brain injury and whether or not he or she is ready to return to work, or in cases of children, they determine how to craft therapy and parental behavior especially for solving child’s problem.

• To help plan treatment or other intervention

The test results can be used to identify which cognitive abilities should be the focus of rehabilitation when a patient has had a brain injury or help therapists determine which strengths might be able to compensate for weaknesses. The evaluation can provide the basis for making adjustments in school or work programs.