Your Guide to Neuropsychological Testing and Assessment
Learn about Dementia and Adult ADHD Evaluations
By Bluestone Neuropsychological Services
Have you or a family member had trouble remembering recent information? Are they having a harder time keeping up with their daily schedule? What about finding the right words during conversation?
Some believe these changes are a normal part of the aging process. Others wonder about the contributing effect of stress, anxiety, depression, or grief. Another question to ask: “Is this an early sign of dementia?”
Our Holistic Approach to Neuropsych Testing
Bluestone’s neuropsychologists take a comprehensive review of you or your loved one’s current situation. They combine a biopsychosocial perspective, objective testing, and evidenced based assessment with individual medical history to differentiate between neurodegenerative disorders, mental health conditions, and lifelong developmental conditions.
What are Neurodegenerative Disorders?
Neurodegenerative diseases are conditions that gradually damage and destroy parts of your central nervous system. These conditions usually develop slowly; the effects and symptoms tend to appear later in life. This can cause mild cognitive impairment or dementia. The term dementia doesn’t just refer to a single type of condition. Instead, it’s an umbrella term that applies to several types of disorders.
Even when individuals have been diagnosed with dementia, it can be helpful to identify the underlying condition. These may include Alzheimer’s disease, stroke or vascular disease, Parkinson’s disease, Lewy Body disease, or frontotemporal syndromes and MCI (mild cognitive impairment).
Our Neurological Testing 3 Session Process
Session 1: Two-hour clinical interview to review presenting symptoms, medical history, family history, mental health history, and much, much more.
Session 2: Three-hour testing session using standardized objective assessment measures.
Session 3: One-hour feedback appointment which will conclude with a comprehensive report includes testing results, a narrative summary, and specific recommendations.
What is Adult ADHD?
ADHD is a diverse condition, but is most often associated with inattention, poor short-term memory, disorganization, and difficulties starting/finishing tasks. Additionally, symptoms of restlessness, irritability, fidgeting, and hyperactivity may be apparent. Late onset adult ADHD is unfortunately a myth. Often a person has compensated for their ADHD symptoms through high intelligence, a highly structured schedule, and intuitive shortcuts.
Best Advice on What NOT to Do!
Dr. Grace Hamilton provides specific advice, especially on what NOT to do, “Ignoring it, ignoring the problem does NOT work. Even if it’s an organic issue, getting it identified as early as possible helps set up an effective treatment plan”.