Doctors may sometimes recommend a neuropsychological assessment to a patient in order to determine how his/her brain is functioning. This is in relation to some functions of the brain especially when it comes to things like; reasoning, attention span, memory, planning, language and speech skills or organizing skills among others. A picture of the brain will be taken from which its functioning can be determined. With a neuropsychological assessment New York doctors can help individuals improve their brain functioning.
The assessment will in most cases involve a number of tasks. The more tasks are done, the better because the results will be clearer. These tasks are normally referred to as cognitive tests. A simple pen and paper may be used in taking the tests or sometimes a computer program. The patient is however guided on how to respond to the given tasks. For example, one may be given a list of words then thereafter asked to remember them.
When the evaluation is being undertaken, easier tasks are first given as the level of difficulty is increased slowly. There will however come a time when the patient cannot do it anymore. It is from this point that the doctor can now be able to measure the individual.
There are a number of facts which doctors have to take into account when carrying out the assessments. One of these is the fact that not everyone can perform his/her best when doing something for the first time. Therefore, more than one task will be done even though they are all meant to test the same thing in relation to the memory. By doing so, the doctor is able to get an accurate picture and which is more reliable.
The assessment session may take some lengthy time before it comes to an end. In some cases it can go for even more than four hours. You should, however, not be discourage with this because the more time taken the easier it is for the doctor to create a clearer picture. He will therefore be able to determine your ability to reason, concentrate, remember and solve problems.
Psychologists are the ones who mostly take patients through the evaluation program. However, before they can practice it they need to have trained and specialized in this specific area. It is therefore advised that one should check on these requirements on the doctor being consulted.
After the doctor has received the results, he/she can make a conclusion and advise you on which way forward, either treatment or a rehabilitation program. When making the decision on whether the assessment should be done or not, medical professionals are normally guided by the kind of condition that one is suffering from. This is because there are some diseases which are more likely to result to brain damage. Such include; Alzheimer, AIDS, Stroke, Epilepsy, Brain Tumor, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson disease.
There are also other cases which can lead to the need for neuropsychological assessment. These include situations such as serious injuries to the brain. Things like alcohol and drug abuse, exposure to poisons, pollution or chemicals can lead to the need of the assessment. This is because these conditions can affect the functioning of the brain.
The assessment will in most cases involve a number of tasks. The more tasks are done, the better because the results will be clearer. These tasks are normally referred to as cognitive tests. A simple pen and paper may be used in taking the tests or sometimes a computer program. The patient is however guided on how to respond to the given tasks. For example, one may be given a list of words then thereafter asked to remember them.
When the evaluation is being undertaken, easier tasks are first given as the level of difficulty is increased slowly. There will however come a time when the patient cannot do it anymore. It is from this point that the doctor can now be able to measure the individual.
There are a number of facts which doctors have to take into account when carrying out the assessments. One of these is the fact that not everyone can perform his/her best when doing something for the first time. Therefore, more than one task will be done even though they are all meant to test the same thing in relation to the memory. By doing so, the doctor is able to get an accurate picture and which is more reliable.
The assessment session may take some lengthy time before it comes to an end. In some cases it can go for even more than four hours. You should, however, not be discourage with this because the more time taken the easier it is for the doctor to create a clearer picture. He will therefore be able to determine your ability to reason, concentrate, remember and solve problems.
Psychologists are the ones who mostly take patients through the evaluation program. However, before they can practice it they need to have trained and specialized in this specific area. It is therefore advised that one should check on these requirements on the doctor being consulted.
After the doctor has received the results, he/she can make a conclusion and advise you on which way forward, either treatment or a rehabilitation program. When making the decision on whether the assessment should be done or not, medical professionals are normally guided by the kind of condition that one is suffering from. This is because there are some diseases which are more likely to result to brain damage. Such include; Alzheimer, AIDS, Stroke, Epilepsy, Brain Tumor, Multiple Sclerosis and Parkinson disease.
There are also other cases which can lead to the need for neuropsychological assessment. These include situations such as serious injuries to the brain. Things like alcohol and drug abuse, exposure to poisons, pollution or chemicals can lead to the need of the assessment. This is because these conditions can affect the functioning of the brain.
About the Author:
Read more about Key Things In Neuropsychological Assessment New York Doctors Consider.
No comments:
Post a Comment