What To Expect

A neuropsychological evaluation is more than a series of tests. It is a comprehensive assessment designed to understand how you are thinking and functioning, identify your cognitive strengths and weaknesses, and help answer questions about changes you or your loved ones may have noticed. The evaluation also provides an opportunity to discuss your concerns, understand what may be contributing to cognitive changes, and develop individualized recommendations for brain health, treatment, and support.

There are 3 parts to the evaluation, followed by a comprehensive written report.

Before testing, you will complete intake forms that provide information about your background and medical history. We will then meet to discuss your current concerns, symptoms, and how changes in thinking or behavior may be affecting your everyday life.

Whenever possible, we encourage a loved one to participate in the interview. Patients may not notice all of the changes that others have observed, and hearing both perspectives can provide a more complete picture of your current functioning. The interview may be completed either in person on the same day as testing or via telehealth on different day. Relevant medical records, such as neurology notes and brain imaging, are also helpful when available. Expect the interview to last 30-60 minutes.  

The testing portion involves a series of standardized activities designed to assess different areas of cognitive functioning. Depending on your reason for referral, testing may examine learning and memory, attention, processing speed, language, visuospatial abilities, reasoning, executive functioning, and other cognitive skills. Some tasks involve answering questions, while others may involve reading, writing, drawing, or remembering information.  You may also be asked to complete some questionnaires about your mood. 

There are no grades, and you are not expected to perform perfectly. The goal is to understand your individual pattern of strengths and weaknesses and how your performance compares with what would be expected for someone of a similar age and background. Expect the testing to last 3 hours (this is a rough estimate and, depending on the patient, it may take closer to 2 hours). 

After testing is completed, we will meet on a separate day to discuss your results together. We will discuss your cognitive strengths and areas of difficulty, what the overall pattern may mean, and possible factors contributing to any identified changes. Most importantly, this appointment is an opportunity to discuss what you can do moving forward. Depending on your individual needs, recommendations may address  brain health, cognitive functioning, treatment considerations, rehabilitation options, support needs, or educational or workplace accommodations. We may also discuss whether additional evaluation or monitoring would be helpful over time. A loved one is welcome to participate in the feedback appointment, which is typically conducted via telehealth but can be conducted in person if preferred. Expect the feedback appointment to last 30-60 minutes.

4. Written Neuropsychological Report

A comprehensive written report will be sent to you and your referring provider a couple of weeks after your feedback session that summarizes the evaluation and recommendations in great detail. 

• Complete your intake forms before your appointment.
• Bring or provide relevant medical records, particularly neurology notes, brain imaging, and other records related to the reason for your evaluation.
• Make sure you bring your glasses and/or hearing aids to the testing session, if applicable.
• Take your medications as prescribed unless your physician has given you different instructions.
• Get a good night’s sleep before testing and eat normally.
• If possible, consider bringing a loved one who knows you well to the interview and/or feedback appointment. (They will not be in the room with your during the testing portion.)