FAQ

 
 

What is Neuropsychology?

 

Neuropsychology is specialty profession within the field of clinical psychology that focuses on the relationships between brain function and behavior, including emotional control and problem-solving abilities. A neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist (Ph.D. or Psy.D.), who has obtained additional education and training relating to neuroanatomy, physiology, and standardized assessment. Neuropsychologists comprehensively integrate objective test data with behavioral observation, patient self-report measures, informant rating scales (collected from parents/significant others/teachers), clinical interview data, and medical records in order to create a global picture of strengths and weakness that may be contributing to the overall presenting problem(s). The ultimate goal of a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation is to provide diagnostic clarification as well as to inform treatment planning for daily life, work, and school settings. 

 
 

How can a Neuropsychologist help me?

 

Neuropsychological evaluations are often requested to help medical doctors and other professionals understand how the different systems of the brain are functioning. Comprehensive testing can help to identify or clarify various conditions which cause changes in cognition/memory, mood, or behavior. These include neurodevelopmental conditions such as Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder, Intellectual Disability, and Specific Learning Disorders, as well as acquired conditions such as Traumatic Brain Injury/Concussion, stroke, and Dementia/Alzheimer’s disease. Neuropsychological evaluations are also often sought to determine whether the presenting problem(s) are rooted in the cognitive domain, psychological domain, or a combination of both. 

Neuropsychological assessment may also be helpful in determining appropriate educational interventions, especially for students who are struggling academically. Alongside determining learning-related weaknesses, neuropsychological assessment is also essential in identifying learning-related strengths.

What can I expect from a neuropsychological assessment?

 

A typical neuropsychological evaluation is spread across two or three appointments, depending upon the age of the individual as well as the reason for referral. These appointments are the intake, testing and then the feedback appointments.

The first intake session is a one-hour appointment aimed at gathering the presenting problem(s) and clinical concerns. Registration paperwork and questionnaires are provided during the appointment.

The testing session(s) are either broken into two-half day sessions or conducted in one full day. All testing sessions begin in the morning and last until early or mid-afternoon. Individuals who attend school or work (1st or 2nd shift) should plan to be out for the entire day. During the assessment, the patient will be instructed to complete a variety of tasks, each designed to measure a different aspect of neurocognitive functioning. Tasks include a variety of verbal and visual measures, in which some will require use of paper-pencil and a laptop computer/tablet. A thorough evaluation of emotional functioning is also conducted; this will often require the use of subjective self-report measures as well as informant rating scales.

The final appointment is the feedback session, which is an hour-long opportunity to discuss the test results and clinical diagnosis. In this appointment, treatment recommendations and intervention strategies are clearly outlined and discussed in detail. Family members and treatment providers are often encouraged to attend this appointment to ensure and support understanding of assessment results and recommendations.

What does the intake process look like?

 

We require a M.D. referral (from your PCP or a Psychiatrist) to be faxed to us (608-492-2573.) Once this is received, the patient can call our front office to do a short phone-intake with our office manager. Once the initial phone-intake is completed, we can then schedule your first appointment.

How do I prepare for the session(s)?

 

In order to best prepare for your appointment, we recommend the following:

  • eat breakfast prior to the appointment;

  • take medications as prescribed;

  • bring corrective lenses and/or assistive hearing devices; and

  • try to get as much sleep as possible the night before the evaluation.

Given the longer duration of the appointment, we recommend you bring snacks, beverages, and/or lunch. For younger patients, parent(s) or caregiver(s) must stay in the waiting area for the duration of the assessment. We will do our best to accommodate any unique patient needs that might arise during the evaluation.

Does my insurance cover the assessment?

 

Current HMO/insurance credentialing has been approved by the following carriers:

  • SSM Health/Dean HMO

  • Quartz HMO

Please note, that in order to utilize HMO/insurance billing, an M.D. referral is REQUIRED. Because specific coverage benefits vary considerably across insurance carriers, it is the patient’s or legal guardian’s responsibility to ensure neuropsychological assessment is covered PRIOR to assessment.

MNS also has private pay options available. Please contact us for more information.