NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
Neuropsychological Assessment can be helpful for individuals with a range of confirmed and/or suspected conditions. This includes:
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Acquired Brain Injuries (ABI) – e.g. stroke or tumour
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Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI), including concussions
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Epilepsy
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Multiple Sclerosis
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Infectious conditions – e.g. encephalitis, meningitis
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Drug and Alcohol Disorders
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Neurodegenerative Disorders – e.g. Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s Disease, Vascular Dementia, Fronto-Temporal Dementia, Huntington’s Disease
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Neurodevelopmental Disorders – e.g. Attention-Deficit/ Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Intellectual Disability, Language Disorders, Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).
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Giftedness
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Psychiatric Disorders – e.g. Schizophrenia, Bipolar Disorder, Personality Disorders
CLINICAL NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT
Clinical Neuropsychological Assessment is conducted for a range of purposes, such as:
Diagnostic clarification
To assist with disentangling and diagnosing conditions (e.g. sub-types of dementia; Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder or other neurodevelopmental disorders).
Baseline assessment of cognitive skills
To determine a baseline of cognitive strengths and weaknesses for later comparison purposes (e.g. in suspected dementia or prior to a specific intervention/treatment).
Tracking recovery and providing rehabilitation/treatment advice
To identify an individual’s cognitive, social, emotional, and behavioural strengths and weaknesses for determining the most appropriate treatment approaches.
Determining eligibility for services
To support applications for NDIS, Disability Support Pensions (DSP), QCAT, or Total Permanent Disability (TPD).
Fitness for Duty and Return to Work assessments
To assist with determining an individual’s suitability for specific work roles.
Return to Driving assessments
Commonly conducted after an ABI/TBI or in dementia in order to clarify cognitive skills likely to impact on a person’s ability to drive safely.
Pre- and Post-Surgical Evaluations
To assist with determining pre-surgical cognitive skills and any change in abilities after surgery.
IQ Testing
To identify/diagnose Intellectual Disability or Giftedness, or simply obtain information regarding an individual’s intellectual strengths and weaknesses.
Assessment of Academic/Learning skills
To assist with identifying learning difficulties and diagnosing Specific Learning Disorders (e.g. Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, Dysgraphia).
Decision Making Capacity
To determine an individual’s capacity to make decisions such as lifestyle/accommodation decisions, financial decisions, decisions relating to making or changing a will, and decisions around appointing an Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA).
Functional Behaviour Assessments & Behaviour Management Plans
To clarify behavioural difficulties, assist with identifying triggers and reinforcing/maintaining factors, and provide management recommendations.
Clinical and personality assessments
To clarify clinical psychological presentations, identify psychiatric and psychopathological disorders, and inform treatment-planning.