Neuropsychological Assessment

Introduction

For whom do we offer neuropsychological assessments?

We offer several types of neuropsychological assessments for children (from 6 years old), teens, adults and the elderly. All our assessments are available in English and French.

What are some common neuropsychological challenges?

These include learning disabilities and developmental delays, attention and hyperactivity disorders, concentration and memory difficulties, difficulties with reading, writing or math in the academic or work environment.

What is a neuropsychological assessment?

A neuropsychological evaluation aims to identify the possibility of damage in terms of functions and cognitive processes in order to guide teaching, educational and professional interventions in children/adults with impaired attention, concentration, learning and/or impulsiveness. It is usually done using psychometric tests but also by conducting a thorough examination of the development history of the individual.

How is a neuropsychological assessment conducted?

At Y2CP, our neuropsychologists use standardized tests and observe behaviour to define the pattern of brain functioning in, and overall development of, individuals.

Main Difficulties

What are the main psychological difficulties that our neuropsychologists assess?

• Neuropsychological functioning
• Psychological functioning
• Memory functioning
• Psycho-social functioning
• Attention difficulties (ADD/ADHD)

  What is Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (ADD or ADHD)?

  Individuals (children/adolescents/adults) with ADD get distracted easily or have problems focusing on tasks. They:

  • Are easily distracted and find it difficult to concentrate
  • Frequently do not follow instructions
  • Frequently fail to complete tasks on their own initiative
  • Don't pay attention to details and often make careless mistakes
  • Don't pay attention to what others are saying
  • Continually lose things (books and belongings)

  In addition, those with ADHD are hyperactive and impulsive. Children and adolescents often fidget, fail to play quietly, and talk excessively. They have difficulty taking turns at games or other activities, fail to think before acting, and often interrupt others.

• Learning difficulties & academic performance

  What are the various types of learning difficulties that affect academic performance?

  Individuals (children/adolescents/adults) with learning disabilities see, hear, and understand things differently — indeed, certain areas of learning create problems for them. Learning disabilities, include Dyslexia (a learning disability in reading), Dysorthography (a learning disability in spelling) and Dyscalculia (a learning disability in mathematics).

  Other learning difficulties — often affecting academic performance — include Dyspraxia (problems with planning, movement and coordination); Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) (repeated displays disobedience, defiance, hostility, and challenging and annoying behaviour toward authority); Nonverbal Learning Disorder (NLD) (difficulty processing nonverbal, nonlinguistic information); and Intellectual Disability (ID) (exhibit below-average intelligence or mental ability and a lack of skills necessary for day-to-day living).

• Brain injuries and disorders

  What are various forms of brain Injuries and disorders in adults?

  Several forms of brain injury and disorders include Traumatic brain injury (TBI) (usually the result of a sudden, violent blow or jolt to the head); Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (also known as a stroke; this happens when blood flow to a part of the brain is suddenly stopped and oxygen cannot get to that part. It may lead to a loss of certain body functions (memory, language) and paralysis); and Dementia (e.g. Alzheimer's) (symptoms include loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in mood and behaviour). Alzheimer's is a form of dementia.

• Behaviour difficulties
• Psycho-educational functioning
• Work performance
• Cognitive ability
• Personality

Children & Teenagers

When should a neuropsychological assessment be considered for children and adolescents?

Many children experience learning difficulties; quite often, parents do not know their cause. Is it simply a lack of motivation, or yet a genuine learning problem or an attention deficit? Schools can, at times, offer certain services (special educators or school psychologists), but with school board resources being often limited, school psychologists do not always have the opportunity to meet all the children having difficulties or do not have the proper means to do the more thorough assessments that neuropsychologists conduct.

Why should your child have a neurological assessment?

Unfortunately, many children are often diagnosed late or sometimes they are not diagnosed at all. Consequently, when we think we might be confronted with a learning disability, an attention deficit disorder (ADD or ADHD) or any other problem of a neuropsychological nature, an assessment conducted by a neuropsychologist will allow us to pinpoint the diagnostic and provide direction for follow-up and adequate treatment. The assessment allows us to determine the functioning of the different cognitive spheres of an individual such as: attention, memory, language, intelligence, etc.

Who may be involved in a neurological assessment process?

Working in cooperation with the special educator, the school psychologist, the family doctor or the speech therapist, the neuropsychologist can determine the child's functioning profile and provide recommendations to the school, the parents and other professionals. A neurological assessment report often allows the student to benefit from certain special considerations in class (such as having more time to write exams), or allows him to receive specialized help like special education or speech therapy.

What are some of the signs of a deficit disorder that would make a neurological consultation beneficial?

You should first talk with those who deal with the child to get their impression. Teachers and special educators are aware of the problems facing students, and while they may not be able to evaluate them, they can certainly give you their opinions. Therefore, if your child experiences major difficulties in school, or if the problems have been going on for a few years, a neuropsychological assessment could be considered.

If the child shows signs of an attention deficit disorder such as: losing his personal effects; constantly forgetting his things; "daydreaming"; being hyperactive (i.e., talking too much in class), a neuropsychological consultation could also be beneficial.

Adults

When should a neuropsychological assessment be considered for adults?

Neuropsychological assessment should be considered when it is important to evaluate learning disabilities and cognitive dysfunction — whatever the age. When there is a disturbance in the normal pattern of brain-behaviour relationship, deficits in learning, behaviour, mood, and development are created. These may be related to injury, illness, or genetic coding. Neuropsychological assessments provide the means to understand these problems.

What are various forms of brain injuries and disorders in adults?

Several forms of brain injury and disorders include Traumatic brain injury (TBI) (usually the result of a sudden, violent blow or jolt to the head); Cerebrovascular accident (CVA) (also known as a stroke; this happens when blood flow to a part of the brain is suddenly stopped and oxygen cannot get to that part. It may lead to a loss of certain body functions (memory, language) and paralysis); and Dementia (e.g. Alzheimer's) (symptoms include loss of memory, judgment and reasoning, and changes in mood and behaviour). Alzheimer's is a form of dementia.

Can adults have ADD?

Although considered a childhood disorder, adults with Attention Deficit Disorder with or without Hyperactivity (ADD or ADHD) have difficulties concentrating (i.e. remaining focused) and are often distracted (making careless mistakes, loosing things, and having difficulty following instructions). Adults with ADHD are often inattentive and impulsive.

At Y2CP, we believe that it is important to diagnose these conditions — no matter the age of the individual — since it allows them to better understand and to adapt their work habits and lifestyles as a result.

What do neuropsychological tests evaluate?

Neuropsychological tests evaluate functioning in a number of areas including: intelligence, functions (such as planning, abstraction, and conceptualization), attention, memory, language, perception, motivation, emotion, quality of life, and personality styles.

Neuropsychological testing is also recommended for the assessment and diagnosis of cognitive impairment and dementia in older adults.

Elderly

Is memory loss affecting you, as you age, or your loved one?

While slight decreases in memory, concentration, and mental sharpness are likely with advanced age, significant memory loss or cognitive impairment isn't a normal part of growing older. This is why early diagnosis is key. Only once the sources of the neurological problem (e.g. stress, anxiety, or a mood disorder) has been identified, can proper treatment steps be taken.

Why is early diagnosis of memory loss important for older adults (or anyone)?

There are a number of reasons including the following:

• The identification of a reversible cause of memory impairment allows you to get the treatment you may require as soon as possible.
• Early diagnosis of cognitive impairment mean that you will be able to start treatments to manage the symptoms.

It means that family member and others will be better able to assist you in terms of getting the treatment you require, the care facilities you may need, and the community support you may seek.

You may even be able to make necessary financial or legal arrangements.

Starting to accept and to deal with memory loss and the possible onset of dementia may be difficult. Even if it's a tough step to take, early diagnosis is important.

You (or a family member) may seek or your family doctor may refer you or your loved one to a specialist in diagnosing dementia or memory disorders, such as a neuropsychologist or geriatrician.

Why should I seek help from Y2 Consulting Psychologists for memory loss?

Because Y2CP is at the forefront when it comes to providing mnemonic-related assessments and leading-edge psycho-geriatric services. Our psychologists, who specialize in geriatric psychology, as well as a neuropsychologist, are ready and able to meet the needs of seniors living in the National Capital Region.

As efficiently and effectively as possible (in less than one or two weeks), Y2CP, using specialized psychometric strategies and tools, is able to assess memory-related difficulties and/or cognitive disorders, or underlying psychological distress.

When and why should an older adult be referred for a neuropsychological assessment?

Changes affecting concentration, memory, communication, and decision making are quite common among older adults. Frequently, neuropsychological testing for the elderly is recommended in order to assess and diagnosis cognitive impairment and dementia.

Referring an older adult for neuropsychological testing means that a meticulous assessment of brain functions will be undertaken — an evaluation that often cannot be obtained in other ways.

What are the uses of neuropsychological assessments for the elderly?

Neuropsychologists, workingclosely with various healthcare professionals who care for the elderly, can provide extremely useful information to them, especially since neuropsychological assessments focus on an individual's cognitive abilities and emotional state.

For example, family doctors can use the information gathered from neuropsychological assessments in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with depression, dementia, concussion, and similar conditions, as well as address other concerns about an elderly person's capacity to make decisions.

Overall, a neuropsychological approach should always be part and parcel of an overall strategy of care for an older adult.

Schools, colleges and universities

Why refer a student for a neuropsychological evaluation?

Because it is important to understand the nature and origin of academic and behavioural problems in students, by way of an assessment of different cognitive functions involved in learning and behaviour in the acedemic setting (e.g. intelligence, attention, memory, motor skills, and learning disabilities).

This allows the academic institution and the teacher/professor to develop an action plan tailored to the specific needs of the student and to enable them to have realistic expectations based on his or her strengths and weaknesses.

Medical Professionals

Why refer a patient for a neuropsychological evaluation?

Because it is important to understand the cause of the difficulties encountered by a child or an adult in his or her environment (at school, at home, or at work), by way of an assessment of various cognitive areas involved in learning and functioning as an individual (e.g. intelligence, attention, language, memory, motor skills, and learning disabilities).

The results of a neuropsychological evaluation will help medical professionals to prescribe or adjust the medication of children with various disorders.

It will also assist doctors in the treatment of accidents affecting the brain (concussion, stroke, etc.) or diseases/syndromes affecting the nervous system (e.g. dementia and multiple sclerosis).

Turning a challenge into an inspiration

Some famous people with Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD) or Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) include:

Singer/actor Justin Timberlake, Olympic swimmer Michael Phelps, star chef Jamie Oliver, comedian Jim Carey, Virgin founder Sir Richard Branson and Heiress and reality TV star Paris Hilton.

Famous People with Learning Disabilities include:

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs had dyslexia, as does Singer Cher, actor Tom Cruise, director Steven Spielberg and designer Tommy Hilfiger.

Mystery writer Agatha Christie had dysgraphia, a learning disability that affected her ability to understand written words.

And is also believed that the inventor of the telephone, Alexander Graham Bell, suffered from dyslexia and that Albert Einstein had Asperger's Syndrome, a mild form of autism.

Price

Our fees for psychological services are tax exempt and qualify for partial or total insurance coverage. Most insurance providers for Government departments/agencies cover up to 80% of psychological fees (up to $1000.00/yearly maximum per family member).

Prices for neuropsychological assessments vary depending on the nature of the evaluation. We offer preferential rates, with candidates for Psy.D. in neuropsychology. Please contact us to obtain a quote.