Neuropsych Testing

Neuropsychological testing can help identify strategies to compensate for weaknesses, improve daily functioning, and reduce your risk for future cognitive decline. Dr. Grace Hamilton, PsyD is a clinical neuropsychologist specializing in neurodegenerative disorders in adults and older adults. She strives to support patients, families, caregivers, and referring providers by enabling early detection of cognitive changes. In addition, she provides expertise in providing accurate diagnoses, and determining the exact nature of your functioning concerns.  

Our Clinical neuropsychologist specializes in personalized treatment planning for a variety of concerns including the following:

• Differential dementia diagnosis (Alzheimer’s disease, stroke and vascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body disease, frontotemporal syndromes) 
• Distinguishing dementia from reversible causes of mild cognitive impairment, mood disorders, and normal cognitive aging
• Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury 
• Adult ADHD evaluations
• Establishing a cognitive baseline for future comparison 

Accordingly, we provide neuropsychological assessment for adults across the lifespan with expertise in neurodegenerative conditions and cognitive aging. Evaluations are designed to clarify complex diagnostic questions including differentiation between cognitive changes due to Alzheimer’s disease, vascular disease, Lewy body disease, movement disorders, and frontotemporal syndromes while distinguishing these conditions from mood disorders, reversible causes of mild cognitive impairment, and normal aging. 

Memory and Dementia Evaluations

Changes in memory can occur for many reasons, some are reversible (i.e., stress, mood, or sleep changes. Others may suggest a developing memory disorder or dementia process. Neuropsychological testing can help clarify the source of these changes and identify strategies for intervention.

Testing may be appropriate if you or a family member have experienced:

• A stroke or cerebrovascular accident.
• Difficulties managing your calendar, daily schedule, finances, or medications.
• Change in attention or memory.
• Difficulties finding the right word during conversations or articulating your thoughts.
• Difficulties following conversations with multiple participants.
• Changes in personality including increased impulsivity, disinhibition, frequent blunt comments, or loss of interest or motivation.

Some individuals with a strong family history of dementia may choose to complete a neuropsychological assessment to establish a cognitive baseline for future comparison. This allows more precise estimates of changes that may have occurred over time, enabling earlier intervention.

Some individuals are already aware of a diagnosis of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia but want to clarify the underlying cause.

Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury

• Concussion symptoms tend to improve gradually without targeted intervention. However, some people experience longer recovery times. Assessment can help identify variables that may be contributing to ongoing symptoms or post-concussion syndrome.
• Individuals with more severe head injuries that involve a loss of consciousness may benefit from neuropsychological testing to evaluate current cognitive functioning and identify areas to target with cognitive rehabilitation and compensatory strategies. They may also benefit from specific accommodations at school and work.
• Testing may be appropriate if you or a family member have sustained a head injury and are struggling with any of the following:
  • Returning to the demands of school or work following injury.
  • Ongoing brain fog, fatigue, or concentration difficulties.
  • Declines in processing speed, memory, or attention.
  • Difficulties learning new skills, apathy, or increased impulsivity.
  • Changes in decision making, reasoning, and problem solving.

Adult ADHD Evaluation

• Some individuals were diagnosed with ADHD during childhood without completing a formal neuropsychological evaluation. As such, they may not have a clear understanding of their specific cognitive profile or may not have developed behavioral strategies or tools to manage their symptoms. 
• Although awareness of ADHD has improved over the last several years, many adults may have attended school at a time when awareness and identification of attention challenges was lower. An assessment may be appropriate if you experience the following:
  • Often hearing the “gist” but missing the details of recent conversations.
  • Difficulties remaining focused and engaged during conversations, meetings, or topics that you do not find interesting.
  • Difficulties completing projects or tasks on time.Abandoning projects prior to completion.
  • Difficulties with time management, procrastination, and struggling to meet deadlines.
  • Wandering thoughts while reading, difficulties maintaining your train of thought, or feeling like your mind is always racing.
  • Difficulties ignoring external sounds or stimuli or are easily distracted.

More on Neuropsych Testing

By establishing a detailed cognitive profile, neuropsychological testing can support early detection of cognitive changes, accurate diagnosis, and personalized treatment planning. Evaluations may be helpful in those experiencing memory loss, changes in thinking or behavior, or concerns about cognitive decline. 

In addition to dementia focused services, we also offer assessments for a wide range of concerns, including adult ADHD, traumatic brain injury, concussion recovery, and cognitive changes related to medical or psychiatric conditions. 

Our goal is to provide clear answers, practical recommendations, and collaborative care to support patients, families, caregivers, and referring providers. 

A neuropsych testing evaluation by our neuropsychologists and board-certified evaluators could be a positive step towards reducing your symptoms. Your loved ones may also need to hear this, so please pass it on.

Are you ready for a neuropsych testing appointment? Complete our quick and easy form online. We will reach out to you very soon.

When you meet with a neuropsychologist, you can expect:

• A thorough diagnostic evaluation to specify the nature of your symptoms.
• Time to talk with your provider with an emphasis on treating you as a whole person. We don’t see you as a cluster of symptoms but one who is struggling to make change.
• Clinical Interview: The process begins with a detailed discussion regarding your medical history, symptoms, daily routines, and educational or work background. Caregivers or family members may also be involved to provide collateral information.
• Standardized Testing: You will complete a series of tasks, computerized puzzles, and question-and-answer exercises. These target specific functions such as processing speed, executive functioning, and motor coordination. In addition, we will also test attention, memory, language, and visual-spatial skills.
• Scoring and Interpretation: The neuropsychologist scores the data, comparing your performance to normative groups of the same age and background to identify cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
• Feedback and Report: You will attend a follow-up session to review the results, diagnoses, and personalized recommendations for treatment, accommodations, or therapies