What is a neuropsychological assessment?
It is a structured evaluation of cognitive functions such as attention, memory, learning, language and problem solving. It sets out concretely where a person struggles and where their strengths lie.
Neuropsychological Assessment
A neuropsychological assessment is a structured evaluation of cognitive functions such as attention, memory, learning, language and problem solving. The aim is to see concretely where a person struggles and where their strengths lie. The process concludes with a written report that can be submitted to a school, a physician or an institution.
Book a sessionUsually requested for:
- Attention difficulties and suspected ADHD
- Learning difficulties (dyslexia, dyscalculia)
- Intellectual and developmental evaluation
- Head injury, epilepsy, post-stroke presentations
- Memory complaints
Who is a neuropsychological assessment for?
A neuropsychological assessment can be carried out at any age: children, adolescents, adults and older adults. The content, the tasks used and the length all change with age and with the reason for referral. With younger children the process is usually divided across more than one session. The table below shows the most common reasons at each age.
| Age group | Common reason for referral |
|---|---|
| Children (0–12) | Attention difficulties, learning difficulties, suspected developmental delay |
| Adolescents (12–18) | Drop in academic performance, attention and organisation difficulties |
| Adults | Attention and memory complaints, changes following head injury |
| Older adults | Forgetfulness, changes in daily functioning, neurological presentations |
How does the assessment work?
The assessment has four steps: an initial meeting, administration, reporting and a feedback meeting. The administration part usually takes 2–4 hours and is divided across sessions where that is helpful. Breaks are given between tasks, since tiredness affects the result and that matters here.
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1. Initial meeting
We talk about the reason for referral, developmental history and any referral from a school or physician. Here we decide together which question the assessment is meant to answer.
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2. Administration
Pen-and-paper work, recall tasks and puzzle-like activities are used. These are not exams; they show how a person thinks. Breaks are given throughout.
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3. Evaluation and report
Results are interpreted for the age group and written up as a report. The report does more than give numbers; it describes which areas are strong and which need support.
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4. Feedback meeting
We read the report together, discuss what the results mean in daily life and what can be done next. For children this meeting is held with the parents.
What do you receive at the end?
Two things are provided at the end: a written report and a spoken feedback meeting. The report can be submitted to a school, a physician or an institution. It sets out which areas were assessed, what was observed and what the results mean. It does more than give numbers.
The feedback meeting exists so the report does not stand alone. Reading a report is not the same as understanding what it means.
Does a neuropsychological assessment give a diagnosis?
A neuropsychological assessment does not give a diagnosis on its own. It maps cognitive functioning, and that map is one part of a diagnostic process rather than the whole of it. In neurological presentations — head injury, epilepsy, situations following a stroke — the assessment is carried out alongside a physician, and the diagnostic decision rests with them.
We prefer to say this at the outset. Setting the right expectation of an assessment is part of making its result useful.
What is the difference between assessment and therapy?
An assessment is aimed at understanding a situation. It runs over a limited number of sessions and ends with a report. Therapy is ongoing work and produces no report. Neither replaces the other, though one can lead to the other. The table sets out the differences.
| Neuropsychological assessment | Therapy | |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | To understand a situation and map it | To work on something ongoing |
| Length | A limited number of sessions, 2–4 hours | Weekly sessions of 45 minutes |
| Outcome | A written report and a feedback meeting | No report is issued |
| Afterwards | Therapy, school support or a referral to a physician may be suggested | The process continues, reviewed together |
Therapy may be suggested after an assessment, but it is not required. In some situations the report on its own is enough — particularly where a document is needed for a school.
We cover the subject in more detail here: What Is a Neuropsychological Assessment and When Is It Requested?
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is a neuropsychological assessment for?
It can be carried out at any age: children, adolescents, adults and older adults. The content and length of the assessment change with age and with the reason for referral.
How long does the assessment take?
It usually takes 2-4 hours. Depending on age and reason for referral it may be split across more than one session; with younger children the process is normally divided.
Is a report provided at the end?
Yes. The process concludes with a written report that can be submitted to a school, a physician or an institution. A spoken feedback meeting is also held to go through the results together.
Does a neuropsychological assessment give a diagnosis?
Not on its own. It maps cognitive functioning. In neurological presentations the assessment is carried out alongside a physician, and the diagnostic decision rests with the physician.
Is assessment the same as therapy?
No. An assessment is a limited number of sessions aimed at understanding a situation, and it ends with a report. Therapy is ongoing work. Therapy may be suggested after an assessment, but it is not required.