Assessment Process

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Laura assesses individuals across the lifespan (children, teens and adults).  

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The purpose of a neuropsychological assessment is to learn how an individual’s brain

works. It provides a clinical picture of an individual's strengths and difficulties for the

purposes of diagnostic clarification and better self-understanding, and so that the people

in that individual's life (e.g., medical team, family, school/workplace etc) have a context to

understand their difficulties and know how to best support them (if support is required). 

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To assist with accessibility of neuropsychological assessment and services, Laura tries to 

tailor assessments to the individual and their specific referral question. If you are

considering an assessment but are unsure of how many sessions it may take, please

submit an inquiry through this website or contact Cooinda Psychology Clinic (details

under 'Contact'). 

 

Assessment structure for children and teens is less variable and generally includes:

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1) pre-assessment questionnaires (developmental history & current functioning)

2) a clinical interview / information gathering session with the patient and/or a
        family member/caregiver

3) assessment with the patient using various validated assessment measures

4) a feedback and planning session with the patient and/or a family member/caregiver

5) preparation of report: summary of assessment findings, any diagnoses (if applicable), recommendations

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Children under the age of 14 typically do not attend the clinical interview or the feedback and planning session, rather this is a time for parents and/or caregivers to discuss the child’s strengths and difficulties openly and honestly, without these conversations being misinterpreted by the child and potentially impacting negatively upon their self-esteem.

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Assessment typically includes assessments of intelligence, reasoning, abstract thinking, attention and concentration, memory and learning, executive functioning (planning, problem-solving, impulse control, mental flexibility), academic skills, processing speed, emotional functioning, and social/behavioural functioning.  

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After completion of a comprehensive assessment, Laura provides feedback of her findings, as well as information about any diagnoses. She then prepares a report with her findings and recommendations which is sent to the individual (or their parents/caregivers) and the referring doctor (if applicable).

 

Please note: while it is common for neuropsychologists to write lengthy reports for all patients as a blanket standard, Laura makes reporting decisions based on each patients' treatment goals and needs, and with consideration of current access to assessment/treatment waitlists, including the potential harm of dedicating an unnecessary amount of time on report writing at the cost of other patients being able to access services in a timely fashion.