NeuroPSYCHOLOGY

A neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist with advanced training in how behavior and cognitive abilities are related to brain structure. A neuropsychological assessment includes standardized testing in memory, attention, reasoning, and other skills. Test scores are compared to norms, usually corrected for age, gender, and education, allowing for accurate judgments about the extent of cognitive impairment and the patient’s residual strengths. Test results can aid in recommendations for easing the return to home, community, work and school.

While many rehabilitation centers outsource neuropsychology services, Madonna staffs psychologists and counselors who are integral members of the patient care team. Psychologists actively work with patients to address difficult problems, such as substance abuse, altered sexual functioning and changing life roles. Madonna’s philosophy is to address these issues early in recovery, rather than wait for them to emerge later as serious obstacles. Psychologists are in a position to approach such problems in a knowledgeable, diplomatic, and experienced manner.

Patients with some of the following concerns or problems may benefit from working with a neuropsychologist:
Questions about cognitive functioning, such as the ability to work, drive, or manage finances
Concerns with memory loss or dementia
Problems with emotional adjustment to a medical or physically-disabling condition
Mild traumatic brain injury or sports concussion
Difficulties with behavioral changes following a brain injury
Legal concerns related to cognitive injuries (such as guardianship or personal injury legal proceedings)
Difficulties with school or work re-entry following an injury

A variety of services are offered, including neuropsychological assessment, adjustment counseling, pain management, family therapy, concussion/mild brain injury evaluation, memory testing, dementia evaluation, neurofeedback, biofeedback, behavioral management and psychoeducation.

The department works closely with Madonna’s Institute for Rehabilitation Science and Engineering. Department members are actively involved in generating original research in a number of areas, including youth sports concussion, neuroplasticity, holistic treatment of neurological conditions, mild TBI rehabilitation, and data-based rehabilitation team decision-making.

Please bring any questionnaires provided by the neuropsychology team with you. These questionnaires must be completed so that your appointment is not delayed. 

Please eat before the appointment, as the evaluation lasts several hours. We may break for lunch and there are several dining options available in the hospital or nearby. You are also welcome to bring snacks. 

Please take your regularly prescribed medications as scheduled. Avoid optional medications that can cause drowsiness, such as painkillers, anti-anxiety and allergy medications. Anyone taking attention medications should check with staff for further instructions. 

Please bring a list of your current medications and dosages. 

Bring your reading glasses or hearing aids. 

Bring a valid photo ID and insurance card. 

Bring any questionnaires provided by the team, fully completed. 

A neuropsychology assessment is a comprehensive evaluation of cognitive thinking and behavioral abilities using a set of standardized tests and procedures. The specific tests administered depend on the reason for referral and may be different for every patient. Neuropsychologists may evaluate:

• Intelligence
• Attention and concentration
• Mental efficiency
• Learning and memory
• Problem-solving, reasoning, planning and organization
• Language and speech
• Visual perception and spatial abilities
• Sensory perceptual and motor abilities
• Emotions, behavior and personality

Madonna outpatient neuropsychology services can provide assessment and treatment recommendations for a wide variety of conditions that may affect behavior, including: 

• Cognitive and emotional effects of various neurological conditions, including, for example, Alzheimer’s disease, stroke, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis (MS), leukemia, brain tumors, Parkinson’s disease, and chromosomal disorders
• Traumatic brain injury and electrical shock injury
• Cognitive decline in elderly patients
• Changes in thinking abilities associated with various medical conditions, including metabolic disorders, HIV infection, cardiac complications, liver disease, toxic exposures, and autoimmune disorders (e.g., Lupus) among others
• Autism and related neurodevelopmental disorders
• Transition from adolescence to adult planning
• Attention deficit disorder (ADD) 

A report will be sent to your referring physician usually within 2-3 weeks. A follow-up appointment may be scheduled with the neuropsychologist to discuss your strengths and any areas of concern. They will provide individualized guidance and next-step care recommendations. To obtain copies of your report, you will need to contact Medical Records or your physician. It is up to the discretion of the neuropsychologist to allow the release of this report without a formal feedback session.

Neuropsychological testing is usually covered by insurance companies for medically necessary assessments. Some types of evaluations, such as learning disabilities assessments or court-ordered services, may not be covered. Second opinions may not be covered.

Please note that neuropsychologists will submit billing based upon all of the time involved in conducting the assessment, including information gathering, scoring interpretation of the test, and report writing. Thus, the hours billed will be more than the time that you spend with the neuropsychologist.

 Assessments may contribute to clinical decisions about: 

• Rehabilitation planning
• Educational planning (including IEP, 504 plans and ADA evaluations) 
• Ability to return to work or school
• Ability to function and live independently
• Tracking of changes in cognitive ability over time to determine response to medication or disease progression