Neurological & Psychological Evaluations
To be completed by referral source (i.e. primary care physician, mental health counselor, psychiatrist, social worker, school, or self if self pay.
Each person seeks treatment for circumstances unique to them, but these evaluations are generally meant to yield an assessment of thinking, reasoning, and cognitive functioning, all while maintaining in context your specific personal, developmental, and psychological history. Depending on your symptoms, Dr. Dudzek may also evaluate for specific neurological functioning. While neuropsychological/psychological evaluations are a long process that often can take months, they are a valuable diagnostic tool for those individuals who need a more in-depth analysis of their situation. Read below to learn if a comprehensive evaluation is right for you.
When is neuropsychological evaluation appropriate?
For children and adolescents
Differential diagnosis
When medication for ADHD is not sufficiently managing symptoms
When there has been a brain injury or significant illness that has impacted cognitive functioning
When there are concerns for cognitive functioning, memory, information processing, or learning
When prenatal injury or illness may be impacting functioning including learning problems, and/or behavioral problems
Adults
Differential Diagnosis
When there has been brain injury or trauma
When there are memory or other cognitive complaints
When there are concerns about loss of cognitive functioning due to neurological disorders i.e Seizure Disorder, Multiple Sclerosis, Stroke, brain injury, chronic medical concerns (diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea)
To rule out a progressive neurological disease and document baseline functioning
Elderly
Differential diagnosis
Concerns about loss of functioning
Memory Concerns
Behavioral concerns
Late-onset psychosis
To identify strengths that may compensate for losses
What can neuropsychological evaluation provide?
Differential Diagnosis
Treatment recommendations
Recommendations for appropriate referral sources or follow up providers
Baseline overall cognitive functioning
Documentation of cognitive disability with objective measurement
Determine relative impact of psychological or neuropsychological condition
When is a psychological evaluation appropriate?
When there is a question about differential diagnosis.
When directed treatment for diagnosed disorder is not effective or treatment gains have stopped.
When there is a question about overall ability to functioning
When clinical picture is very complicated.
To use test feedback to help a patient gain insight
What can a psychological evaluation provide?
Differential diagnosis
Treatment recommendations
Personality characteristics that may be interfering with treatment and effective ways to manage them in treatment
Overall level of emotional functioning
Primary versus secondary treatment regimes
If you have any questions about evaluations, feel free to contact our office for more information!