What is neuropsychology?
Neuropsychology is a specialized field that studies the “brain-behavior relationships”; otherwise, the physiological processes of the nervous system and relates them to behavior and cognition, in terms both of their normal function and of the dysfunctional processes associated with brain damage (APA, 2025). Neuropsychologists are clinical psychologists that have received formalized training in this subspecialty, which requires specific coursework and experiences in graduate school and a post-doctoral residency in neuropsychology. Some neuropsychologists are board-certified in clinical neuropsychology (i.e., ABCN) through the American Board of Professional Psychology which helps consumers know that the neuropsychologist has been through rigorous peer-review and has met the standards to demonstrate high competency in the field of neuropsychology.
What is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
Neuropsychological evaluations are requested specifically to help understand how the different areas and systems of the brain are working (APA, 2025). Overall, a person’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning are assessed while considering different factors that could contribute to a person’s condition, including psychiatric, neurological, and medical conditions, as well as effects of medications, psychosocial, cultural, and environmental factors. A neuropsychological evaluation assists in diagnostic clarification and helps guide treatment planning.
The neuropsychological evaluation consists of gathering relevant historical information, a neuropsychological examination, analysis and integration of data and findings, and feedback to the referral source. The evaluation timeframe can range from 2 hours up to 12 hours. Depending on the scope and intent of the evaluation, testing may focus on a wide range of functioning, including:
- General intellectual abilities
- Academic achievement
- Motor and sensory functioning
- Attention and processing speed
- Expressive and receptive language abilities
- Visuospatial/perceptual abilities
- Learning & memory
- Executive functions (higher-order thinking abilities, i.e. problem-solving, abstract reasoning, etc.)
- Personality and emotional functioning
When is a Neuropsychological Evaluation recommended?
Testing is usually recommended when there are concerns about brain function, which may show up by a change in concentration, organization, reasoning, memory, language, perception, coordination or personality.
Who can be assessed?
- Patients across the entire age and developmental span, including:
- developmental concerns in infants;
- academic challenges in childhood, adolescence and early adulthood;
- work and social challenges in adulthood;
- and concerns about declining function in older adults.
Some of the conditions neuropsychologists routinely receive referrals for include:
- developmental disorders (e.g., autism);
- learning and attention disorders (e.g., ADHD; Note that some psychiatrists do not prescribe stimulants without a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation confirming an ADHD diagnosis);
- concussion and head injuries;
- traumatic brain injury (TBI; Important to note that not all head injuries are TBIs!);
- epilepsy and seizure disorders;
- brain cancer;
- cerebrovascular accidents (CVA)/stroke;
- dementia/neurodegenerative diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease);
- multiple sclerosis and autoimmune disorders;
- extensive substance abuse;
- cognitive functioning related to genetic syndromes;
- and differentiating between psychiatric and neurologic conditions.
What is the difference between Neuropsychological and School Evaluations?
Overall, neuropsychological evaluations are very similar to the school-based psycho-educational evaluations. Evaluations done at school use many of the same tests and are free. Neuropsychological exams are done privately and can cost hundreds, if not, thousands of dollars. However, a private evaluation may include a diagnosis whereas most school evaluations do not diagnose students. Instead, the purpose of a school evaluation is to see if a student qualifies for special education services. It is important to note that not all neuropsychological evaluations end with a diagnosis.
For students struggling in school, the first course of action is often to get them services under an IEP or 504 plan. However, if the student is still struggling or if the parents/caregivers disagree with the findings from an IEP/504 plan evaluation, the next step is an independent educational evaluation (IEE). Per Section 504 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), parents/caregivers are entitled to request an IEE and the school should respond within 15 days via a due process hearing. If the school is unable to demonstrate that their evaluation meets the needs of the child, then an evaluation is deferred to an independent provider, who is not employed by the school or school district, to ensure an unbiased process. Typically, the IEE evaluation is a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation that identifies the child’s strengths and weaknesses, ultimately proposing actionable interventions that both schools and parents/caregivers can pursue to promote more successful academic outcomes.
Summary
Neuropsychological evaluations can provide diagnostic clarification and comprehensive treatment recommendations individualized to the patient’s current functioning level. Whenever in doubt, consult with our behavioral health team to determine whether a neuropsychological evaluation would be appropriate for your patient.
Resources:
The American Board of Clinical Neuropsychology. https://theabcn.org/
American Psychological Association. Society for Clinical Neuropsychology. https://www.apa.org/about/division/div40
The National Academy of Neuropsychology (NAN). https://www.nanonline.org/Nanweb24/Nanweb/AboutNAN/AboutNAN.aspx?hkey=96a62357-926a-4916-acfd-94045f88cb2d
American Psychological Association. Clinical Neuropsychology. https://www.apa.org/ed/graduate/specialize/neuropsychology
Child Mind Institute. How to Get an Independent Neuropsychological Evaluation. https://childmind.org/article/how-to-get-an-independent-neuropsychological-evaluation/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_campaign=pub-ed-nl-2025-02-04&utm_content=how-to-get-an-independent-neuropsychological-evaluation