Questions & Answers

Neuropsychology is a specialized branch of psychology that is primarily concerned with the multifactorial relationship between the human brain and behavior, emotion, and cognition.

Clinical Neuropsychologists conduct evaluations that primarily focus on how injuries, illnesses, and psychopathology affect cognitive functioning and behavior. Some of the concerns that are frequently considered include, but are not limited to: 

• Memory Loss
• Dementia
• Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) and Concussions
• Seizure and Epilepsy
• Stroke/Cerebrovascular Accident
• Hydrocephalus
• Brain Tumor/Arteriovenous Malformation (pre and post surgery)
• Cancer (post surgery/chemotherapy)
• Pre-Surgical Psychological Assessment of Bariatric Surgery Candidates 
• Executive dysfunction (e.g., confusion,  problem-solving, reasoning)
• IQ and General intellectual ability (including school placement/gifted)
• Poor attention/concentration (ADHD)
• Learning Difficulties (e.g., reading, mathematics) and poor academic achievement
• Multiple Sclerosis (MS) and other Autoimmune Disorders
• Parkinson's Disease (PD) and other Movement Disorders
• Significant personality or behavioral change in home, work, school, or with peers. 
• Speech/Language changes (e.g., word-finding problems, aphasias)
• Dyscalculia and Dysgraphia
• Neurodevelopmental Disorders
• Sequelae of Drug/Alcohol/Substance use and abuse
• Independent Living Ability and Decision-Making Capacity
• Independent Driving Ability
• Emotional/Personality factors versus Genuine Cognitive Impairment

To be considered a competent neuropsychologist, the following criteria must be met:

1. Completion of an APA accredited doctorate in clinical psychology program with emphasis or concentration in neuropsychology. 

2. Completion of an APA accredited (or qualifying) 1-year psychology internship. 

3. Completion of a 2-year neuropsychology residency/fellowship under the supervision of a board certified neuropsychologist.  

4. Application for state licensure and successful passing of the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP).

You will complete an interview with the neuropsychologist. Oftentimes, close family, friends, and caretakers are also interviewed for collateral history (patient permission is required in most cases). You will then separate from anyone who accompanied you and complete multiple activities (paper/pencil and computerized). The activities are completed in a private room and breaks can be taken (when appropriate) throughout the session. In some cases, more than one session is needed.

1. Be sure to bring someone with you that knows you well and interacts with you often.

2. Be sure to bring valid identification with you.

3. If you typically use an assistive device (e.g., glasses, hearing aids, cane, walker), be sure to bring it with you and utilize it during the evaluation. 

4. Adults, please bring copies of any prior neuropsychological or psychological assessments along with the following relevant records: neurology, cardiology, recent hospitalizations, primary care, and neuroimaging (EEG, CT, MRI, PET).

5. Children and Adolescents, please bring copies of all report cards, any standardized school testing (e.g., achievement, SAT, CPT) any previous or current IEP/504 plans, and any prior neuropsychological or psychological assessments along with the following relevant records: neurology, cardiology, recent hospitalizations, primary care, and neuroimaging (EEG, CT, MRI, PET).

6.  Feel free to bring water and a snack. 

1. On the night before your appointment, make sure you get sufficient sleep (All Ages). 

2.  As these specialized evaluations are lengthy, be sure to eat prior to the appointment.

3. Feel free to bring water and a small snack.

4. Patients should take all medications as prescribed on the day of testing, unless specifically informed otherwise.

5. Adults, please bring copies of any prior neuropsychological or psychological assessments along with the following relevant records: neurology, cardiology, recent hospitalizations, primary care, and neuroimaging (EEG, CT, MRI, PET).

6. Children and Adolescents, please bring copies of all report cards, any standardized school testing (e.g., achievement, SAT, CPT) any previous or current IEP/504 plans, and any prior neuropsychological or psychological assessments along with the following relevant records: neurology, cardiology, recent hospitalizations, primary care, and neuroimaging (EEG, CT, MRI, PET).

7. If you require any assistive devices (e.g., hearing aids, glasses, cane, walker), please be sure to bring them with you. 

8.Be sure to bring valid proof of identification. 

The length of neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluations care vary based on the complexity of the case and reason for evaluation. 

Typically, you can expect each evaluation to last +/- 4 hours.

Once all activities are completed, scoring begins. After scoring is completed, the neuropsychologist uses their specialized knowledge to analyze and interpret the results in the context of your individualized past and recent physical, medical, and emotional history.  Often times, the interpretation time also includes medical and medication review. 

Once interpretation is completed, the information is integrated into a comprehensive report (in most cases). 

This entire process is typically completed in 10-14 business days. 

At the end of your final testing appointment, you will schedule your feedback session. The feedback session can be completed in-person, telephone, or virtually.  During this valuable appointment, you will discuss findings, diagnosis, prognosis, and meaningful recommendations directly with the neuropsychologist.  

Many adults and older adults wait until the onset of physical, neurological, and/or cognitive problems to complete a neuropsychological evaluation. In most cases, a neuropsychologist is able to assess for premorbid intellectual abilities; however, a previous baseline evaluation is the best and most reliable method of comparing and assessing for clinically significant cognitive changes/declines. 

No.

Insurance plans are not currently accepted for assessment or psychotherapy services. 

No. ALMA is a direct pay concierge practice (insurance plans are not currently accepted for assessment or psychotherapy services). 

Thus, a referral is not required. 

However, referrals from primary care, neurology, cardiology, psychiatry, mental health practices, and other physicians are common and welcomed. 

Neuropsychological assessments typically focus on the brain-behavior relationship and involve genetic, neurodevelopmental, injurious, and medical concerns. 

Psychoeducational assessments typically focus on academic achievement and abilities/skills related to school performance, school placement, and IEP/504 eligibility. 

Yes. These evaluations are frequently required to establish the presence of symptoms, behaviors, and impairments that fall within the IDEIA and Section 504 eligibility criteria. 

No, we do not. 

Your school district is responsible for developing an IEP/ 504 plan unique to your child's needs, if your child meets eligibility criteria under IDEIA and Section 504. 

1. On the night before your appointment, make sure you get sufficient sleep (All Ages). 

2.  As these specialized evaluations are lengthy, be sure to eat prior to the appointment.

3. Patients should take all medications as prescribed on the day of testing, unless specifically informed otherwise.

4. Adults, please have available copies of any prior neuropsychological or psychological assessments along with the following relevant records: neurology, cardiology, recent hospitalizations, primary care, and neuroimaging (EEG, CT, MRI, PET).

5. Children and Adolescents, please have available copies of all report cards, any standardized school testing (e.g., achievement, SAT, CPT) any previous or current IEP/504 plans, and any prior neuropsychological or psychological assessments along with the following relevant records: neurology, cardiology, recent hospitalizations, primary care, and neuroimaging (EEG, CT, MRI, PET).

6. If you require any assistive devices (e.g., hearing aids, glasses), please be you are wearing them during the evaluation. 

7. Be sure to have valid proof of identification available. 

8. Have a designated quiet area established in your home that will remain free from distractions (e.g., TV noise, pets, siblings, etc.).