Neuropsychological Testing: What Is It & How Can It Help?
A straightforward explanation of what neuropsychological testing encompasses and
who may benefit for this specific type of testing. The differences between psychological and neuropsychological testing will also be discussed.
What is Neuropsychological Testing?
When you hear the term "neuropsychological testing," you may be thinking of a lot of different things. It can be hard to know what to expect. Neuropsychological evaluations consists of a structured assessment battery that is meant to help you understand yourself or your loved one better. Areas assessed in neuropsychological evaluations include cognitive and achievement, attention, executive functioning, memory and learning, language, visuospatial, and sensory-motor functioning. Social-emotional and behavioral functioning is also assessed as part of a neuropsychological evaluation. When you are wanting specific answers but are only receiving results for broad and overlapping symptoms, it can feel frustrating.
Clinicians who offer neuropsychological testing as a part of their practices are required to undergo specific training and schooling to be able to offer these assessments in their practice. Neuropsychological evaluations are the most comprehensive evaluations offered at PEARS, PLLC, and they can help you better understand an individual's level of functioning in many different areas. This can be helpful in getting an accurate diagnosis which can aid you in getting the right kind of treatment and intervention needed. Results can also provide more perspective of how someone may go about learning the tools and resources necessary to overcome any difficulties they have in a productive manner.
Is Neuropsychological Testing Different From Psychological Testing?
Yes. While both forms of testing may sound similar, there are major differences between them. When someone is seeking psychological testing, they are referring to a less comprehensive form of testing in which a clinician will take into account an individual's medical history, mental health and behavioral patterns, typically resulting in a diagnosis of any broad developmental disorders that may be present. This form of testing can be utilized to identify and diagnose Autism, ADHD and mental health disorders (such as anxiety and
depression). As mentioned previously, neuropsychological testing adds depth to the evaluation by incorporating additional assessments and measures to gain more insight into a person's overall level of functioning.
Anyone Can Benefit
Because every individual is different, it can be advantageous to get an evaluation that will provide you with personalized results that can help you. When someone is presented with multiple options for testing, diagnosis and results it can become confusing or overwhelming to decide which care is best for their needs. Neuropsychological testing can help you understand how you think, problem-solve, and approach challenges. You can also learn more about your memory and how much information you can process at a time. Neuropsychological assessments can help you better understand if you learn better by seeing or hearing the information. You can also learn more about how you understand language and how you express your wants/needs. There are a lot of benefits to neuropsychological evaluations.
Find A Specialist That Suits You
Many clinicians will be able to look at an individual's history and come to a conclusion
about their needs and wants. However, in order to receive the results that will provide
the most insight, it is helpful to know which evaluations can give you the answers you want. Undergoing a neuropsychological assessment help you understand you or your loved one better. Reach out to Dr. Arduengo for more information about neuropsychological evaluations.