Frequently Asked questions
Your evaluation begins before your first appointment. Once you have completed your registration, you will receive invitations via your email address to complete cognitive and behavioral rating scales. In most cases, a spouse or other trusted individual will be asked to complete similar measures. These ratings provide important information about your symptoms and functioning allowing the neuropsychologist to plan an individualized evaluation that focuses on those areas that are of greatest concern and minimizes unnecessary testing. Your doctor will also review your medical record in advance of your initial appointment to become familiar with your health history.
What should I expect during my visit?
An invitation to join virtual interview and testing sessions will be sent to your cell phone or email address. Once you click on the link or connect via your phone, we will be able to share information confidentially. We will start by discussing your history and current concerns. After your interview, we will work on a variety of tasks designed to measure cognitive abilities. You may be asked questions, complete digital and paper-pencil tests, and do other tasks that are similar to games or puzzles. Many of these tasks are easy to complete while others are more complex. You do not need to have advanced computer skills to complete your evaluation but you will need to be familiar with how to open an email and turn on and adjust your microphone and camera. If you have concerns about your familiarity with your computer or your cell phone, it is advisable to have access to a knowledgeable person who can be available for trouble shooting during the telehealth sessions as necessary.
How long will the evaluation last?
There are three main parts to the clinical diagnostic evaluation process: Interview, Testing, and Feedback Session. These services are usually scheduled on separate days.
The Interview will typically include yourself and someone who is familiar with your daily functioning and usually takes about one hour to complete. After your interview is completed, your doctor may ask that you complete digital screening tests or questionnaires at your personal computer or mobile phone to further individualize your evaluation.
During your Testing session, you will be administered tests of your memory and thinking abilities via audio-video links between your home computer or cell phone and our office. The time required for testing varies from one patient to the next but most baseline studies are completed within 2 to 3 hours. If additional testing or interview is necessary, separate sessions are easily added to your existing appointment schedule. Rarely, testing testing can take up to 6 or more hours to complete.
We will discuss your test results, diagnostic impressions, and treatment recommendations during our Feedback Session that takes about an hour. In most situations, your evaluation results are ready for us to discuss within two weeks after the conclusion of your interview and testing sessions.
Should I include someone in my evaluation?
Although usually not required, you are encouraged to include a friend, family member, colleague, or another individual who is familiar with your history and day-to-day functioning. They will participate in our interview but you will be unaccompanied during testing sessions.
May I take breaks?
Testing moves along at a quick pace and most people do not find it tiring. However, short breaks are available if needed.
What medical records should I provide?
Please provide a list of current medications and dosages as well as copies of relevant medical records including results of prior neuroimaging, educational, psychological, or neuropsychological testing. If you wear glasses or use hearing aids, make sure to use them during your evaluation.
Is there any way to prepare for a neuropsychological evaluation?
These are not tests that one can study for, but there are several things you can do to facilitate the evaluation. Remember that the goal of the neuropsychologist is to get the best possible picture of the patient's current functioning. Several things can interfere with this goal such as if the patient is:
- Acutely ill or under medical care for an acute illness
- Excessively tired or fatigued or has sudden "sleep attacks"
- Not motivated to put forth their best effort
- Very emotionally distraught or has a severe psychiatric condition
- Experiencing intolerable or distracting levels of pain
- Under the influence of medications or illicit substances which interfere with cognitive functioning
- Experiencing frequent changes in the ability to move
Patients should let the neuropsychologist know if they anticipate that any of these issues are likely to interfere with the evaluation.
It is important to get a good night's rest before the evaluation. Patients are encouraged not to consume alcohol 24 hours prior to the evaluation. Please refrain from using cannabis products containing THC for 7 days before your appointment, unless medically necessary. If taking sleep or pain medication, patients should check with their doctor whether it might affect test performance the next day.
Patients should not worry about whether they will "pass" the tests. The tests cannot be passed or failed; instead they describe how well a person performs relative to peers and their long-term established level of functioning.
How do I get my results?
About one week to ten days after your feedback session, a written report of evaluation findings will be sent to you and the referring provider via encrypted email, facsimile, or US mail.
What if I need to cancel my appointment?
If you are unable to keep your appointments, please notify the office at least three calendar days (i.e., 72 hours) in advance of your first appointment. If you miss your appointment, a late cancellation fee may be assessed and we may not be able to reschedule your appointment. If you are rescheduled, the wait times can be several months. Alternate cancellation policies apply for forensic clients and are available by request.
Do you provide face-to-face services?
We evaluate the need for face-to-face consultations on a case by case basis. Certain forensic referrals may require that the evaluation, or portions of the evaluation are conducted in person.
Still have questions? Please call 928.362.1220.
