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What should I expect during the test? NEUROPSYCHOLOGY A neuropsychological evaluation usually consists of an Referrals and Appointments interview and testing. During the interview, you will be EVALUATIONS asked about your symptoms, medical history, medications Appointment requests are available by calling and other important factors. Testing involves taking 203-741-3413. For more information on services OUTPATIENT SERVICES paper-and-pencil or computerized tests and answering and locations, visit us at www.gaylord.org. questions. The time required depends on the problem being assessed. In general, 3-6 hours are needed to assess the many skills involved. Frequent breaks will be taken, as well as a break for lunch. Location What should I bring? Gaylord Hospital and Please bring glasses or hearing aids if you use them, Gaylord Outpatient Services as well as a list of current medications and any other 50 Gaylord Farm Road relevant medical records you feel may be helpful in the evaluation process. A Patient History Questionnaire Wallingford, CT 06492 will be sent prior to your appointment. Please complete 203-741-3413 Appointments that packet prior to the evaluation and bring it to your 203-284-2869 Fax scheduled appointment. www.gaylord.org How will I know if my medical insurance will Use the main entrance at cover neuropsychological services? When you contact Gaylord’s Psychology Department Jackson Pavilion. to schedule your evaluation, insurance information will be obtained and staff will verify benefit coverage. If any portion of services will not be covered, payment options will be discussed.

What else does Gaylord Specialty Healthcare NEUROPSYCHOLOGY offer? EVALUATIONS Gaylord Hospital is a specialty hospital that provides inpatient care for complex medical patients needing intensive rehabilitation. www.facebook.com/gaylordspecialtyhealthcare Gaylord provides outpatient physiatry (physical medicine and rehabilitation physicians), physical, aquatic, www.youtube.com/gaylordhealthcare occupational and speech therapies, wheelchair assessment services and the Gaylord Center for Concussion Care. Gaylord also sponsors support groups and can provide recommendations when prosthetics, orthotics and rehabilitation equipment are required. 2/2015

What will the results tell me? Test results can be used to understand your situation NEUROPSYCHOLOGY in a number of ways. Here are several examples: EVALUATIONS • Identify weaknesses in specific areas. These tests are very sensitive to mild memory and thinking problems that might not be obvious. Testing can help determine whether memory changes are normal age-related changes or if they reflect a neurological Why Have I Been Referred? disorder. Neuropsychological evaluations are requested specifically to help your doctors and other • Identify problems related to medical conditions that The Gaylord Advantage professionals understand how the different areas can affect memory and thinking, such as diabetes, Gaylord’s Neuropsychology team is compassionate, and systems of the brain are working. Testing is metabolic or infectious diseases, stroke, multiple skilled and veteran in conducting neuropsychological usually recommended when there are symptoms sclerosis, or alcoholism. evaluations. The clinicians take the time needed to or complaints involving memory or thinking. This make the patient’s experience positive. The dedicated may be signaled by a change in concentration, • Be used to help differentiate among illnesses, which support staff are insurance-knowledgeable and assist organization, reasoning, memory, language, is important because appropriate treatment depends the patient and their family every step of the way. perception, coordination, or personality. The change on accurate diagnosis. The results can be helpful may be due to any number of medical, neurological, in determining which areas of the brain might be Patients are referred by primary care, neurologists, psychological, or genetic causes. Testing will be involved and what illness might be operating. Testing case managers and coaches. Common disorders helpful in understanding your specific situation and can help to differentiate among different dementias, evaluated include concussion, traumatic brain help your medical providers design the best plan to depression and normal aging. injury, stroke, multiple sclerosis and dementia. treat you. Neuropsychologists at Gaylord treat adolescents • Your physician will use this information along with through geriatric populations and speak English, What is included in your assessment? the results of other tests, such as brain imaging and Spanish and French. A typical neuropsychological evaluation will involve blood tests, to come to the most informed diagnosis assessment of the following: possible. What is Clinical Neuropsychology? • Attention and concentration Clinical neuropsychology is a specialty profession • Sometimes testing is used to establish a “baseline” • General intellect that focuses on brain functioning. A clinical or document a person’s skills before there is any • Higher level executive skills (e.g., neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist with problem. In this way, later changes can be measured sequencing, reasoning, problem solving) additional training in how behavior and skills are objectively. related to brain structures and systems. In clinical • Language neuropsychology, brain function is evaluated by • Learning and memory • Be used to plan treatments that use strengths to objectively testing memory and thinking skills. • Motor and sensory skills compensate for weaknesses. A very detailed assessment of abilities is done, • Mood and personality and the pattern of strengths and weaknesses is • Visual-spatial skills (e.g., perception) used in important healthcare decisions, such as diagnosis and treatment planning. The clinical Some abilities may be measured in more detail than neuropsychologist conducts the evaluation and makes others, depending on your needs. recommendations.

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