Neuropsychological Assessments - Fact Sheet

The neuropsychological assessment is an evaluation of various areas of functioning. It relies upon the use of standardised testing methods to evaluate:

The neuropsychologist will usually look at the case histories, hospital records and talk to family members to find out about the ‘pre-injury person’. The assessment is particularly useful in guiding the rehabilitation process.

A range of psychological tests is used to objectively measure brain functions, including evaluations of language, attention span, orientation, spatial perception, memory, concentration, new learning, mathematical
reasoning, abstract and organisational thinking, problem solving, social judgment, motor abilities, self-awareness and emotional characteristics.
Possibly the most important outcome of this testing is the interpretation of the results which are used not only as the basis of the treatment plan for therapists but even more importantly for the individual and their family. Once the neuropsychologist has completed the scoring and the narrative portion of the assessment, a meeting should be scheduled with the individual and family to discuss the findings. It is helpful to ask that the conference be recorded or bring a tape recorder with you. Taping the conference can be very valuable for other members of the family unable to attend the conference.

A written report should be provided following completion of the assessment that can be shared with those involved in the child’s care. The report should cover case history and current issues, the various tests conducted, observations, assessment results and recommendations.

The neuropsychologist should explain the individual’s abilities that remain unchanged as well as areas of the brain that are adversely affected by the injury and how these deficits are expected to impact the individual’s life. It is helpful for the neuropsychologist to be very clear and informative about ways the injury will affect the day-to-day existence of the individual (e.g. “damage to the frontal lobes of the brain is expected to create difficulties in planning and organising tasks”). This important information can help the family more effectively guide and support the individual and assist with activities that utilise the preserved abilities and reinforce strategies that compensate for deficits.

Knowing your family member’s deficits can increase your effectiveness as a caregiver and decrease the discord that often develops when the family is not aware of ways the injury has affected the cognitive abilities of a family member.

These tests can be quite expensive. Universities offering programmes in neuropsychology often provide evaluations at low cost or sliding scale as part of their student training.

Ideally a neuropsychological assessment should explain how damage in the brain affects the way an individual with brain injury thinks, acts and deals with life in general, in a way that can fully maximise the survivor’s recovery and participation in family, work and the community.