Adult Services FAQs
A neuropsychological evaluation involves the use of paper and pencil, oral, and computerized tools to determine a child’s, adolescent’s, or young adult’s cognitive functioning in several areas, including general intellectual functioning, ability to focus and pay attention to tasks, learning and memory skills, language and executive functions, academic functioning (when applicable), as well as behavioral and emotional functioning. A comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is typically used to assess patterns of strengths and weaknesses in individuals up to age 25 to determine the causes of any difficulties present and, ultimately, to develop targeted treatment and intervention strategies.
There are age-appropriate tests for children, adolescents, and young adults enrolled in a college or graduate program through age 25. Therefore, an individual up to age 25 may be evaluated. The timing of the evaluation will depend on the issues to be addressed in the assessment. Dr. Bronk will discuss the optimal age of assessment for your child’s or young adult’s specific needs with you.
A neurological evaluation generally assesses a child’s or young adult’s basic mental, motor and sensory functions to determine abnormal functioning in these areas, including gross deficits in cognitive functioning. A psychological evaluation provides in depth analysis of social-emotional and personality functioning for children, adolescents, and young adults through age 25 for diagnostic clarification and to inform treatment. A psychoeducational evaluation is generally an assessment of cognitive and educational skills focused on measuring ability and achievement discrepancies to diagnose specific learning deficits requiring academic remediation (such as special education services) and academic accommodations.
Unlike these evaluations, a neuropsychological assessment provides a comprehensive and detailed overview of neurocognitive and emotional functioning in children, adolescents, and young adults using in depth and standardized tests. Results are compared to normative guidelines of individuals in the same age group, as well as to the individual’s own performance in other areas, to determine relative strengths and weaknesses for diagnostic and treatment planning purposes. A neuropsychological evaluation uses information from neuroscience research into brain/behavior relationships to answer questions about the processes underlying thoughts, feelings, and behaviors in order to provide targeted interventions and treatment.
You likely need a neuropsychological evaluation if you exhibit difficulties in cognitive, emotional, behavioral and/or academic areas to the point of negatively affecting your performance and overall well-being. A neuropsychological evaluation is particularly warranted if difficulties continue despite treatments or remedial efforts. NHS provides these evaluations for children, adolescents, and young adults through age 25, including those enrolled in college.
Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations take approximately 5 to 7 hours and are typically scheduled for 3 hour blocks over 1 day or 2 separate days. However, there is some variability in this scheduling depending on the reason for the referral as well as your specific needs. Dr. Bronk utilizes a hypothesis driven approach to the neuropsychological test battery. It is important to remember that it is frequently not the number of tests or hours that make an evaluation comprehensive, but the specific tests that are sensitive in identifying problems in various aspects of cognitive functioning. In general, your test results will be reviewed with you and a final report will be prepared.
You can expect to spend 2 to 3 hours over several sessions working with Dr. Bronk on a number of activities including drawing, puzzle-like tasks, answering questions, completing school related activities (e.g., reading, math problems), and filling out questionnaires. Most individuals find the majority of the tasks interesting and challenging, although a few may be boring or difficult.
You will be given breaks when necessary to minimize fatigue and facilitate comfort. It is important to remember that you are not expected to ‘pass’ any tests but, rather, will be asked to do your best so that Dr. Bronk can have a better understanding of how you think and learn. Please ask Dr. Bronk for more specific guidelines if necessary.
Please bring all of the completed forms that have been mailed home to you with your confirmation letter packet. Also bring with you any relevant records that may be helpful in our evaluation. These may include previous testing reports, educational records (including progress reports and report cards, if relevant), and any related medical records. Also, please make sure that you come dressed comfortably. You may also bring snacks with you if you feel you will need them during breaks.
Check with Dr. Bronk prior to your testing session to determine whether you should take your medication(s) on the day of testing. Most often, Dr. Bronk will ask you to take prescribed medications, but occasionally this may not be optimal. Since some medications affect your cognitive functioning, it is important that Dr. Bronk is aware of the medications you are taking and also know of any changes in your medication from session to session.
A psychological evaluation takes place typically in one session. A neuropsychological evaluation may include 2 or 3 sessions. Sometimes more, shorter sessions are required, depending on the child’s, adolescent’s, or young adult’s ability to tolerate long testing sessions and the nature of the referral questions.
A feedback session is scheduled following the completion of the evaluation to go over all of your testing results with you. Following this feedback session, you will receive a written report that summarizes all of the test results, our interpretation, and recommendations.
NHS is dedicated to protecting privacy and takes great care in protecting sensitive information. NHS will release reports to other parties (such as your school or other clinician) only after obtaining permission. Please note an exception in rare cases where Dr. Bronk feels that you or someone else is in danger. Psychologists are mandated by law to report to appropriate agencies if they suspect that a child, adolescent, or young adult shows evidence of abuse, is in danger of imminent physical injury to self or others, or in response to subpoenas, court order, or other legal proceedings or statutes requiring disclosure.
NHS does not have a billing department. Therefore, NHS does not bill your insurance directly. At your request, NHS will provide you with a superbill that contains all of the information necessary (including diagnosis, dates of service and type of service rendered) for you to submit to your health insurance provider to seek reimbursement for any payments made. It is your responsibility to check with your carrier to see if there are specific guidelines or necessary authorization prior to the evaluation.
In general, your neuropsychological evaluation results will be helpful for several years. NHS recommend updates approximately every three years (as long as they are needed), although a comprehensive evaluation may not be necessary. Brief evaluations may also be recommended sooner to assess the effects of recommended interventions.
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