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Sunday, May 18, 2014

Key Things In Neuropsychological Assessment New York Doctors Consider

By Essie Osborn


Doctors may sometimes recommend a neuropsychological assessment to a patient in order to determine how his/her brain is functioning. This is in relation to some functions of the brain especially when it comes to things like; reasoning, attention span, memory, planning, language and speech skills or organizing skills among others. A picture of the brain will be taken from which its functioning can be determined. With a neuropsychological assessment New York doctors can help individuals improve their brain functioning.

The assessment will in most cases involve a number of tasks. The more tasks are done, the better because the results will be clearer. These tasks are normally referred to as cognitive tests. A simple pen and paper may be used in taking the tests or sometimes a computer program. The patient is however guided on how to respond to the given tasks. For example, one may be given a list of words then thereafter asked to remember them.

Tasks are normally arranged in a certain way whereby the easier ones come first. They then progress slowly to the difficult ones as the process continues. The ability of the patient is, however, measured when he/she is asked to go to a point where it becomes difficult to do it anymore.

It is common for individuals not to perform their best the first time they do something. This is therefore taken into account when the assessment is being done. Assessors may ask the patient to go at various tasks more than one time while trying to measure the same thing. This is to mean that memory will be measured by more than one task. A more accurate and reliable outcome is therefore likely to be generated by doing so.

The assessment session may take some lengthy time before it comes to an end. In some cases it can go for even more than four hours. You should, however, not be discourage with this because the more time taken the easier it is for the doctor to create a clearer picture. He will therefore be able to determine your ability to reason, concentrate, remember and solve problems.

Psychologists are the ones who mostly take patients through the evaluation program. However, before they can practice it they need to have trained and specialized in this specific area. It is therefore advised that one should check on these requirements on the doctor being consulted.

The doctor may advise on whether a treatment program should be taken or a rehabilitation program depending with the results of the assessment. However, before even the assessment is done, the doctor will check on some conditions which make the evaluation necessary. For example, there are diseases which can make the brain to suffer some damages. These include diseases like; Stroke, Alzheimer, AIDS, Epilepsy, Multiple Sclerosis, Brain Tumor and Parkinson disease.

There are also other situations which can lead to the administration of these tests. These involve injuries that may lead to brain damage like suffering concussions or serious brain injuries. Also, it can be recommended if one has had an alcohol or drug related abuse which may have led to the brain being damaged. You may have also been affected after being exposed to chemicals, poisons or even pollution.




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