Neuropsychological Assessment

Clinical Neuropsychologists are highly skilled and trained in assessing the cognitive, emotional and behavioural effects of a wide range of brain conditions. 

At Brain Care Health, we specialise in providing detailed neuropsychological assessments that help individuals understand their cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functioning and the effects of brain conditions on everyday functioning. We believe that a thorough understanding of your cognitive strengths and weaknesses can empower you to make realistic and informed decisions about your health and future goals. 

Whether you're seeking clarification of a diagnosis or tracking changes over time, we are here to support you. We offer assessments regarding decision-making capacity, or preparing for return-to-work and return to driving programmes and medico-legal purposes. 

The information gathered from a neuropsychological assessment can assist with diagnosis, treatment planning, management strategies, and support applications for funding or compensation. 

Types of Assessment

Various types of assessments are offered to help explain why a child, young person or adult is having difficulties at home, school, and/or work.

These assessments include:

• Comprehensive neuropsychology assessments 
• Cognitive/ intellectual functioning (IQ testing)
• Educational/ academic assessment 
• Behavioural, Social and Emotional functioning

For example: an assessment of a person with a suspected learning disorder may identify why they have difficulties in learning (such as intellectual disability), or a specific cognitive barrier to learning (such as difficulties with attention or memory), or an emotional issue (such as depression) that may be impacting on their ability to perform well at school or at work.  

These assessments can help with: 

• Diagnostic clarification (Acquired Brain Injury, Autism, ADHD, Intellectual Disability, Mild Cognitive Impairment or Dementia etc). 
• Eligibility for services such as school funding/support, NDIS, and Centrelink
• School readiness
• Return to driving
• Return to work (after an accident or a neurological diagnosis impacting cognition)
• Determine individual capacity to make decisions regarding finances, accommodation or lifestyle, medical decisions.

We are committed to delivering clear, detailed reports that provide you and your family with information to make informed decisions to support your health care needs and wellbeing. We will guide you through understanding your brain health with meaningful and practical strategies to implement in your daily life.

Contact us to learn more about how a neuropsychological assessment can benefit you or your loved one.

What is involved in a Neuropsychological Assessment?

 A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment involves a number of components:

1) Gathering background information including relevant medical, social and psychological history, and a detailed understanding of the presenting concerns. This will involve a clinical interview with the client and significant others and includes a review of any relevant documents (e.g., previous cognitive assessments, medical and psychiatric reports), liaison with schools, psychiatrists and other specialists as deemed appropriate.

2) An evaluation of cognitive strengths and weaknesses in a number of cognitive domains including: attention, speed of information processing, memory and learning, language, visuospatial skills, and higher cognitive functions (e.g., reasoning ability, problem solving and inhibition). Some tasks will be administered using an ipad and others will be pen-and-paper based tasks. Questionnaires about psychological functioning and behaviour will also be administered. The assessment will take approximately 2-3 hours with breaks as required.

3) Detailed analysis of all the test results and information obtained. 

4) A feedback session about the assessment findings and recommendations. Making plans for any ongoing treatment. Liaison with other specialists as appropriate.

5) Providing a written report that summarises relevant information, assessment findings (including diagnosis) and recommendations. 

6) A summary page of the assessment findings, strategies and recommendations will also be provided to the individual. 

What's the Next Step?

Brain Care Health offers cognitive rehabilitation and behaviour support to help you understand the changes identified in the assessment. This includes how to implement strategies in everyday living, and counselling to support you in every step of the way.  

Cognitive Rehabilitation

Cognitive Rehabilitation involves understanding the brain science of cognitive changes, and utilising compensatory strategies accordingly. Practical and meaningful strategies are explored collaboratively to better manage cognitive changes. 

Behaviour Support

Changes in behaviour following a brain injury are very common. They may include changes in personality such as impulsivity, inappropriate behaviour around others, becoming easily frustrated, irritable or agitated to name a few. We can help by providing education on why these behaviours occur, exploring triggers and finding ways of managing these behaviours with you, carers and your family. 

Please note: Brain Care Health does not provide behavioural support services for NDIS clients.