While many patients self-refer to a Neuropsychology Clinic, most are referred by their treating physicians or another clinician with whom they may be working.
Neurologists, neurosurgeons, epileptologists, physiatrists and clinicians practicing in rehabilitation settings routinely consult with Neuropsychology for both diagnostic evaluations and ongoing patient care.
However, internists, pediatricians, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists and other mental health clinicians also regularly refer to Neuropsychology, when a patient’s clinical presentation suggests potential neurologic involvement; when an evaluation of cognitive and emotional functioning will aid in differential diagnosis and in ruling out functional contributions; or when a patient’s chief complaints include cognitive or emotional concerns.
Results of a neuropsychological evaluation can contribute significantly to a clinician’s treatment plan, return-to-work decisions and benefits determinations, and decisions intended to optimize patient safety and quality of life (e.g., when memory or other cognitive impairments threaten safe and independent living or driving, when guardianship should be considered, etc).
The referral questions we receive from our colleagues involve a broad range of developmental, neurologic and psychiatric disorders, and encompass the lifespan. Some examples include:
- Diagnosis of Developmental Disorders (e.g., Learning, Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity, Autism Spectrum Disorders; Impaired Intellectual and Adaptive Functioning)
- Quantification of Impairment and Monitoring Improvement/Decline of Acquired Injuries or Conditions (e.g., Traumatic Brain Injury, Electrical Trauma, Stroke, Seizure Disorder)
- Monitoring Improvement/Decline in Degenerative Diseases (e.g., Multiple Sclerosis, the Dementias)
- Differential Diagnosis of Psychiatric Disorder versus Developmental Disorder
- Depression versus Dementia
- Mild Cognitive Impairment versus Dementia
- Cortical versus Subcortical Diseases/Dementias
- Vascular versus nonVascular Diseases/Dementias
- Staging of Dementias (mild, moderate or severe)
We invite you to review the About Us section to learn more about our clinicians and their various areas of expertise, and to contact us any time to discuss whether a consultative neuropsychological evaluation may be helpful to your patient.