Top Questions About Neuropsychological Testing in Madison, WI

So, you or your child has been referred for neuropsychological testing in Madison, WI…now what? You likely have questions about where to go and what to expect from neuropsychological testing. I’m happy to help get you on the right path toward the best type of evaluation for your needs.

What is neuropsychological testing? 

Schools, primary care doctors, and mental health therapists will often refer children or adults for a “neuropsych” (i.e., neuropsychological testing or neuropsychological evaluation) if there are questions about learning, memory, attention, development, or behavior. But what is neuropsychological testing and is it the right type of assessment for your needs? According to the American Psychological Association, neuropsychological testing “is usually recommended when there are symptoms or complaints involving memory or thinking. This may be signaled by a change in concentration, organization, reasoning, memory, language, perception, coordination or personality. The change may be due to any of a number of medical, neurological, psychological or genetic causes.”

How is neuropsychological testing different from a psychoeducational assessment or a psychological evaluation?

Typically, psychoeducational assessments are focused on identifying a learner’s strengths and weaknesses, including diagnosing any learning disabilities or differences. When completed in a school setting, psychoeducational assessments are often done as part of an evaluation to determine whether a student is in need of special education services.

Psychological testing and evaluation, however, is a broader category that includes assessment of behavior, mental health concerns, personality, learning, and thinking. 

Is neuropsychological testing the right fit for me or my child? 

There’s a lot of overlap in the types of evaluations done by clinical psychologists, neuropsychologists, school psychologists, and psychiatrists. Many of these professionals conduct evaluations for similar diagnostic questions and use some of the same assessment tools, which can make it confusing to know what type of evaluation would best meet your needs. 

The testing and evaluation services I offer typically focus on diagnostic questions related to autism, ADHD, and/or learning differences, such as dyslexia. Check out my FAQs and complete the Testing & Evaluation Request form. We can discuss whether I might be a good fit for the type of evaluation you are seeking.