Neuropsychology is the scientific study of brain-behavior relationships. A neuropsychological assessment, or neuropsychological evaluation, is a way of determining how your brain functions using standardized tests and techniques. The assessment yields information about current strengths and weaknesses in clients’ memory, attention, and other thinking skills. In this way, our neuropsychologist, Dr. Vonetta Dotson, can assist your physician in making diagnoses, assess changes in your functioning over time, and evaluate your ability to perform everyday living skills independently (e.g., working, driving, and managing your affairs).
CerebroFit provides neuropsychological assessment services to adults over the age 18. Dr. Dotson’s particular specialization is in middle-aged to older adults, so common referral questions include Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia, stroke, Parkinson’s disease, and psychological disorders such as depression and anxiety. We also provide services for clients with neurological conditions such as head injuries, tumors, multiple sclerosis, and other disorders.
We provide two types of evaluations:
- Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations: Most appropriate for clients who have significant concerns about their memory and thinking abilities, this evaluation will include an interview with the client and a family member lasting approximately one hour, during which we will gather information about the client’s concerns, medical and psychological history, and background information such as education and work history. The interview will be followed by 3-6 hours of memory and cognitive testing, depending on the client’s age and the nature of their concerns. Tests will mostly be in paper-and-pencil format, but a few tests might be on a computer.
- Brief memory screenings: These are “check-ups” for clients who would like to have a broad overview of their cognitive status but do not have major memory or cognitive concerns. As we grow older, this type of screening can help to identify and treat memory and cognitive problems before they become more severe. We will spend approximately 30-45 minutes interviewing the client and a family member to gather brief information about any cognitive concerns, medical and psychological history, and background information such as education and work history. We will then spend approximately one hour of testing that will help us identify any areas that might require more detailed assessment. This type of screening can be repeated over time to track changes in thinking abilities over the years.
For both types of evaluations, clients will attend a second session during which they will receive feedback on the results of the assessment and a copy of the report that summarizes the evaluation. We will provide detailed recommendations for medical and psychological follow-up as needed. We will also provide educational information about brain-healthy behaviors and resources offered through CerebroFit and in the community to achieve a brain-healthy lifestyle.
If you have questions or would like to schedule a neuropsychological assessment, contact us: