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How With Neuropsychological Assessment New York Doctors Can Help

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.

There are a number of mental tasks that one is normally asked to undertake. These are sometimes referred to as cognitive tests. Basically, what is used is a simple computer program or in some cases a pencil and paper. Instructions are then given on how one is supposed to do the tasks presented. One example of such tasks is when the individual is asked to try and remember a given list of words which have been read out.

When the evaluation is being undertaken, easier tasks are first given as the level of difficulty is increased slowly. There will however come a time when the patient cannot do it anymore. It is from this point that the doctor can now be able to measure the individual.

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 cases which can lead to the need for neuropsychological assessment. These include situations such as serious injuries to the brain. Things like alcohol and drug abuse, exposure to poisons, pollution or chemicals can lead to the need of the assessment. This is because these conditions can affect the functioning of the brain.




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