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Assessment
Neuropsychological
assessment is intended to investigate the various cognitive functions
such as memory, attention, visual functions, executive functions
(organizational skills, planning and executing tasks, abstraction
and concept formation), language, praxis, spatial-temporal orientation
and intelligence. The goal is to identify which functions are impaired
and which are preserved. This investigation aids the diagnostic
process and helps to guide medical / psychiatric and psychological
treatments.
It
can be used for aiding diagnosis of such aspects as:
• Alzheimer's Disease and other dementias
• Multiple sclerosis and other neurodegenerative diseases
• Brain damage resulting from trauma
• Deficits caused by drugs and alcohol or other substance
abuse
• Attention Deficit and Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Psychiatric disorders that may be accompanied by cognitive
deficits such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders, obsessive-compulsive
disorder, depression, anxiety, addiction, among others
• Attention difficulties
• Memory difficulties
• Language difficulties
• School / academic problems
The
assessment process usually lasts between 6-8 hours, divided into
sessions lasting up to 2 hours each. It starts with a very detailed
interview, where the psychologist gathers information about the
current difficulties, how they started, history of physical illness,
medication and other information in general (family and social relationships,
academic / professional performance, etc.). Other interviews can
also be conducted with family members or carers to obtain more details
or further clarifications.
The
psychologist will then select the best tools for evaluation. These
may include neuropsychological tests, questionnaires and scales.
This
is followed by an interval (usually 1 or 2 weeks) in which the psychologist
scores all tests, analyses and interprets the results and, in conjunction
with the interview data, prepares a final report.
All
results, analysis, and referrals or treatment suggestions are explained
to the patient in a feedback interview.
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