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Pink Clouds

NEUROPSYCHOLOGY/COGNITIVE ASSESSMENTS

“Diagnosis is not the end but the beginning of practice.”~ Martin Fischer

WHAT IS A NEUROPSYCHOLOGY ASSESSMENT?

A Neuropsychology Assessment is a comprehensive cognitive and behavioural evaluation that makes diagnostic and treatment recommendations based on data from multiple sources. A Neuropsychological Assessment will measure cognitive functions including Intellectual functioning (IQ), Attentional capacity, Learning and Memory, Processing Speed, Executive functioning, Language, Visuospatial function, Sensorimotor skills, Academic performance, and Social-emotional functioning. Cara sees children from 6 years up, and adults up to 90 years old for assessments. 

WHO SHOULD GET A NEUROPSYCHOLOGY ASSESSMENT?

A comprehensive assessment can assist with diagnosing (or ruling out):​

An assessment can also be useful for:

  • Tracking cognitive recovery following an Acquired or Traumatic Brain Injury (ABI/TBI)

  • Assessing the impact of neurological (e.g. epilepsy, Parkinson's disease), neuropsychiatric or other genetic or medical conditions on cognition

  • Assessing a person's IQ, learning profile and academic performance

  • Assessing evidence of cognitive, intellectual and functional deficits and capacity for NDIS applications and reviews

  • Identifying a person's cognitive and learning strengths and weaknesses to guide treatment and supports to function at their best. 

 

WHAT IS INVOLVED IN A COGNITIVE ASSESSMENT?

Please obtain a referral from your GP/specialist, health professional, support coordinator, or school, prior to booking in your appointments. A comprehensive assessment consists of multiple appointments and components including:

  1. Initial consult (1 hour) - here we will take a detailed history, discuss your current concerns, and book in your assessment appointment(s).

  2. A comprehensive cognitive assessment typically takes approximately 3-4 hours. The client can either complete the assessment in one session with a break in the middle, or over 2-3 sessions depending on their level of attention/fatigue (recommended for children).

  3. The comprehensive report will be written following your assessment (minimum 4 hours work depending on referral question and complexity) and provided to the referrer and client approximately 4 weeks post-assessment.

  4. We also aways recommend clients attend a feedback session (1 hour) to discuss the results and recommendations detailed in the report. 

** If there are any pending legal matters, this must be disclosed before the assessment appointment. Cara does not specialise in medico-legal reports and a clinical report is not sufficient for medico-legal purposes.​ Please note Cara does not conduct assessments for specifically for medico-legal capacity purposes (e.g. guardianship, parenting, financial, testament capacity)

For more information on how to prepare for your first assessment please see our FAQs

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