Inform Neuropsychology is a professional service providing comprehensive assessments to assist with diagnosis and recommendations. At Inform Neuropsychology, we have the expertise to cater to individuals from early childhood to older adults. At present, we primarily practice from Eltham, however we may be available to provide services in the community across Melbourne.
What is Neuropsychology?
Neuropsychology is a specialist branch of psychology that focuses on the connection between the brain, cognition, and behaviour. Specifically, it is the understanding of how brain changes or injury can alter a person's cognitive abilities and behaviour, which can assist in identifying diagnosis and future planning. This is a role of a Neuropsychologist.
You might be wondering what we mean by cognition - the term cognition refers to our attention, thinking, language abilities, visuo-perceptual skills, learning and memory.
A Neuropsychologist has the training and qualifications to complete neuropsychology assessments, which comprise of standardised tests (such as pen and paper tasks). These tests are targeted at measuring the specific cognitive areas mentioned above. Like a brain scan takes a photo of your brain, neuropsychology tests show you how your brain is working, in each of these cognitive areas.
There are many neuropsychology tests available, so the Neuropsychologist will adapt the assessment depending on your referral reason. As part of the assessment, the Neuropsychologist asks questions about your current cognitive, behavioural, and functional concerns, along with obtaining a thorough history about your personal and medical background.
Collecting your background information, along with analysing the test results, helps the Neuropsychologist in identifying a possible explanation for your cognitive concerns raised (for example, a diagnosis), and informing intervention or recommendations targeted to your needs.
Some reasons why you might want or need to see a Neuropsychologist
- To obtain a diagnosis (for example, dementia, acquired brain injury).
- To rule out other diagnoses.
- For you and your family to better understand how a new or existing diagnosis impacts your cognition and day-to-day functioning.
- To learn more about your cognitive abilities (for example, attention, information processing, visual skills, language abilities, new learning and memory).
- To discover your cognitive strengths and weaknesses.
- To gain strategies targeted toward managing your cognitive weaknesses.
- To provide insight as to why you or someone is struggling with poor memory or other cognitive difficulties.
- To identify academic strengths or weaknesses.
- To offer teachers and schools recommendations based on a student's academic weaknesses.
- For a baseline or starting point to see how your thinking, memory, or academic skills can change over time. This can help with diagnosis.
- To find out if you are eligible for disability supports (for example, NDIS).
- To obtain strategies to manage behaviour, memory, cognitive difficulties, and to improve day-to-day functioning.
- To identify your support needs.
Assessments Offered
Medico-Legal Assessment
A medico-legal assessment investigates an individual's capacity to make informed decisions relating to their financial, medical, or lifestyle matters. Testamentary capacity assesses an individual's capacity to create or amend an existing will.
Neuropsychology Assessment
A comprehensive neuropsychology assessment explores an individual's cognitive abilities in all domains (such as basic and complex attention, visuospatial skills, language abilities, executive function, learning and memory, processing speed), and targeted specifically to the referral reason. This type of assessment can assist in identifying cognitive strengths and weaknesses, as well as informing diagnosis. Recommendations are typically included within the report to advise of future planning and support needs where relevant.
Cognitive / Intellectual Assessment
A cognitive assessment is the administration of a cognitive battery (such as a WISC or WAIS) that generates an intelligence quotient (IQ). This can provide an opinion on intellectual developmental disorder (intellectual disability) in children or adults.
Educational Assessment
Educational tests explore the academic abilities in reading, writing, and maths. This can help in understanding where a child or adult is performing in these areas to assist with identifying support needs, or in diagnosing a specific learning disorder (such as dyslexia or dyscalculia).
ADHD Assessment
An ADHD assessment explores a possible diagnosis of ADHD, which can be performed in children or adults.