About Adult Neuropsychology

Adult patients who may benefit from a neuropsychological evaluation include those with:

•  Problems with thinking (e.g. memory, attention, reasoning, other), behavior, mood/psychological function, or other function (e.g. at home, work, or school) which may represent a change over time and may have no clearly identified cause. 
• A possible neurological disorder such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, essential tremor, Lewy Body dementia, Huntington’s disease, demyelinating disorders such as multiple sclerosis, hydrocephalus, Chiari malformation, seizure disorders, among others. 
• An acquired brain injury such as from a stroke, aneurysm, head trauma, brain tumor or associated treatment (radiation, chemotherapy), brain infection, anoxia/hypoxia (lack of oxygen), alcohol, toxins, or other. 
• Other medical disorders that can affect brain function such as cerebrovascular disease, chronic heart problems, diabetes, uncontrolled hypertension, kidney or liver disease, sleep disorders, chronic migraine headaches, among others. 
• A possible neurodevelopmental disorder such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autism spectrum disorder, learning difficulties, cerebral palsy.

Most health insurance covers a neuropsychological evaluation. Dr. Ward is in-network with most major insurance companies including Medicare, BCBS, United Behavioral Health, Cigna, Aetna, MedCost, and Magellan (and perhaps additional companies in the future). When adult patients are scheduled for a neuropsychological evaluation, insurance coverage is verified and a summary of estimated insurance benefits and any out-of-pocket costs for the evaluation are discussed. For patients who do not have health insurance or are not using insurance, a Good Faith Estimate for the cost of services will be provided. Specific questions regarding your insurance and available coverage can be addressed by calling our office at 704.662.5459. 

Many insurance companies require a referral from a medical provider. Specific questions regarding your insurance and available coverage can be addressed by calling our office at 704.662.5459. 

It is natural to feel nervous about meeting a new provider and talking about personal issues such as memory loss, functional difficulties, mood, or behavior. It can be helpful and supportive to have a trusted family member or friend present with you during the interview appointment. If there is some sensitive information that you or your family member/friend would feel more comfortable discussing individually with the neuropsychologist, just let the provider know or bring a letter to your appointment containing this information. The neuropsychologist and our clinic staff will do their best to help you feel comfortable and at ease with the evaluation process. 

Prior to your first appointment at PSOLN, you will be asked to complete brief patient information and history forms, and several standard consent forms. You can either complete these forms prior to your appointment (electronically or hardcopy), OR you can plan to arrive 30 minutes early for your appointment to complete these forms.   

During the interview (first appointment), the neuropsychologist will ask questions that will later help this provider interpret your test results. (For example, if you have difficulties with memory or attention, it is important to know if these are new or old issues.) 

*You (the patient) and an individual who knows you well (e.g. family or friend) will be asked to discuss your:  

• Timeline of symptoms or concerns (difficulties, changes, when did symptoms start, about how long have they occurred).
• Recent and past function (such as vision, hearing, walking, completion of household tasks, driving, medication management, sleep, diet, or others).
• Medical and mental health history, social history, academic and occupational history, family history.
• And anything else you want to discuss with the neuropsychologist to assist in your evaluation.

*You may be asked to sign release of information forms so that the neuropsychologist can review relevant medical or other records to assist in your evaluation.

*There are no right or wrong answers to the interview questions. The interview is an important part of the evaluation.   

During testing (second appointment), you will complete testing with the examiner in a quiet room (generally without your family member or friend present) to minimize distraction. 

• Breaks are offered during testing and there is a handicap accessible, single-stall restroom right across the hall.
• Patients are welcome to have refreshments (e.g. snacks, water, coffee) during the testing appointment. 
• You will be asked questions out loud/verbally and in written format.
• This is not a pass or fail type of test and includes multiple short tests which most patients find interesting. 
• For adults, the tests examine different areas of brain function such as memory, attention, speed of thinking, comprehension, reasoning, language, visuospatial abilities, sensory and motor abilities, among others. If there are referral questions regarding neurodevelopmental disorders (such as ADHD, autism spectrum, intellectual disability) or learning difficulties; then tests of intellectual function, social abilities, achievement (e.g. reading, math), and detailed questionnaires regarding past symptoms may also be given.
• A neuropsychological evaluation also includes screening of mood, behavior, and daily function through questionnaires that you and your trusted family member/friend will be asked to complete.
• Since every patient is different, testing may take between 3-5 hours or longer if you need additional time. If you become tired or need to leave for another reason, testing can sometimes be completed in 2 sessions.   

During the feedback session (third appointment), the neuropsychologist will discuss the test results with you (and usually your trusted family member or friend) including areas of strength and weakness, and answer any questions. 

• The provider will discuss what the test results mean and diagnoses,
• Most importantly, the neuropsychologist will discuss recommendations based on the evaluation including a treatment plan which is personalized to each patient.
• Follow-up with the neuropsychologist is sometimes recommended to answer additional questions, to assist patients and family members with following and benefitting from recommendations, to monitor a patient’s symptoms over time, and for possible re-evaluation as needed.
• A comprehensive report will be sent to the referring provider, and other providers as requested.
• The neuropsychologist is part of a patient’s care team.   

When the neuropsychological evaluation is scheduled, administrative staff will provide information regarding the appointments and send you a Welcome New Patient form containing Important Instructions Regarding Your Appointments including the dates and times, what to expect, and how to prepare.      

Prior to your interview (first appointment): 

• You will be asked to complete a brief Adult Patient Information Form and Adult Patient History Form including basic identifying information (e.g. date of birth, address),  names of the trusted individual(s) who will participate in your evaluation, your medical history, providers, and medications (including all prescription, over-the-counter, prn/used as needed, vitamins, supplements; doses and schedule).
• You will also be asked to review and sign several standard consent forms regarding insurance authorization, policies and fees, privacy practices, and emergency medical consent.
• You will either complete the Information, History, and Consent forms prior to your appointment (electronically or hardcopy) OR plan to arrive 30 minutes before for your appointment to complete these forms.
• If you complete all forms before your appointment, still plan to arrive 10-15 minutes early to check-in (suite 105) and process any co-pay/co-insurance if relevant.   

For the interview (first appointment): 

• Bring a trusted family member or friend (who knows you well) with you to the interview appointment.
• Wear or bring any hearing devices and glasses/contact lenses to the interview.
• Eat a meal as you normally would and take your medication as prescribed before the interview. 
• If not already listed on your Adult Patient History form, please bring a full list of your medications to the interview (including all prescription, over-the-counter, prn/as needed, vitamins, supplements; doses and schedule)  

For testing (second appointment):

• Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early to check-in (suite 105) and process any co-pay/co-insurance if relevant. 
• Try to get a good night’s sleep before your appointment.
• Wear or bring your glasses/contact lenses.
• Wear your hearing devices (and bring extra batteries if needed); check to make sure all hearing aids are functional. If your hearing aids are broken or lost, you may be offered a personal amplifier to use during testing.
• Eat a meal (as you normally would) before testing. This is particularly important if you are diabetic.
• Take your medication (as you normally would) before testing [EXCEPT: for ADHD-specific medication, which you may be asked NOT to take the day of testing, but to bring with you to the testing appointment.] 
• If possible, plan to be flexible with your transportation at the end of the testing appointment since testing can take between 3-4 hours, or longer if you need additional time.   

For feedback (third appointment):

• Plan to arrive 5-10 minutes early to check-in (suite 105) and process any co-pay/co-insurance if relevant. 
• Consider any questions you may want to ask the neuropsychologist.
• Bring a trusted family member or friend (who knows you well) with you to the feedback session.
• Wear or bring any hearing devices and glasses/contact lenses to the feedback session 

Due to the COVID-19 public health crisis, Psychological Solutions of Lake Norman has taken significant steps to ensure the safety of our patients, families, and staff. We are offering services in-person, and by HIPAA compliant video platform and telephone as possible. For in-person appointments, safety protocols include: screening for risk of infection and rescheduling as needed, taking temperatures, limiting the number of individuals in the office, use of hand sanitizer and masks, regularly sanitizing office spaces and testing materials, and use of acrylic desk shields, among others. Although there are changing health agency and governmental guidelines regarding the use of masks, it is still our clinic policy that all patients and their family members or friends present for appointments should wear a mask.