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Patient Information

What is neuropsychological assessment?

Neuropsychological assessment is the detailed examination of cognitive skills (such as memory, attention, processing speed and problem solving), in order to examine brain-behaviour relationships.

 

The assessment involves paper and pencil type tests, as well as practical problem solving tests and the answering of questions. There are often some questionnaires to complete also. The tests used are standardised (i.e., given to a sample of people without brain impairment to provide a comparison) and well researched. None of the tests are physically invasive. Generally, assessments take between 3 and 4 hours (including interview and rest breaks), depending on the purpose of the assessment. Clinical assessments are much shorter than medicolegal assessments.

 

Skills assessed often include:

  • Intelligence (IQ)

  • Memory

  • Attention/concentration

  • Thinking/processing speed

  • Spatial skills

  • Language

  • Higher level executive functions (e.g. problem solving, planning, reasoning)

  • Emotional/psychological functioning

  • Academic skills (e.g. reading, spelling, maths)

About the appointment

Please allow around 3 to 4 hours (less for non-medicolegal), with breaks taken as needed. Please bring reading glasses if necessary.

 

During the breaks, you will be able to leave the rooms to have lunch or a drink nearby, or a drink will be offered. The rooms are wheelchair accessible, and there is a disabled toilet.

 

Please avoid alcohol for 24 hours and illicit drugs for at least 2 days prior to the assessment. Continue to take medications prescribed by your doctor (and please bring details of these to the appointment).

 

Please note that family members who accompany you may stay for some of the interview, but will need to wait in the waiting area or outside the rooms, or they may leave altogether.

What should I bring to the assessment?

  • Reading glasses

  • Reports from Neurologists, Psychiatrists or Psychologists you may have (but not x-rays or brain scan films)

  • Any discharge summaries related to hospitalisations

Where do I go?

Adelaide

Good Health Collective,

23a King William Road, Unley SA

 

or if this is organised through MLCOA, please come to Level 7, 18a North Tce, Adelaide

 

Sydney

Randwick Specialist Centre,

151 Belmore Road, Randwick NSW

 

Darwin

MLCOA,

Level 1, 48-50 Smith Street,

Darwin City NT

 

When an appointment has been confirmed, you will be sent an information sheet with directions, travel information and a map.

How much does the assessment cost?

Costs vary greatly depending on the purpose of the assessment and who it is being requested by.

 

Please contact Dr Lucas to discuss costs, and whether they can be covered by any funding sources (e.g., Workers compensation, Motor accident insurers, NDIS funds, Department of Veterans’ Affairs).

Can I claim on Medicare or Private Health?

Neuropsychological assessment is not covered by Medicare, even if you have a mental health care plan.

 

If you have private health insurance, you may be able to claim back a small portion of the costs, but you will need to contact your provider to see if they cover ‘psychological assessment’.

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