Adult Assessment

"What are the enduring effects of my traumatic brain injury after my fall, and what further improvements might be expected given the time-frame?"

"Are my memory and attention difficulties just normal age-related changes to my thinking? "

"Could depression be causing my current cognitive difficulties with concentration, planning and organisation?"

"What are the possible causes of observed behavioural changes, such as poorer anger-management and increased risk-taking behaviours,

and increased anxiety in new situations?"

"My elderly mother has a diagnosis of early dementia and has expressed a desire to change her will. I would like an opinion about her capacity to do so."

At Sage Clinical Psychology we offer neuropsychological assessment for adults and older adults. Neuropsychological assessment, or cognitive testing, is a process by which a person’s cognitive, psychological/emotional and behavioural functioning is comprehensively assessed. This is accomplished via a detailed interview and standardised testing of areas relevant to the individual’s presenting problem. A person’s scores are compared to benchmarks (normative test data) and a profile is generated, which identifies areas of strength and weakness.

Clinical psychologists and neuropsychologists have specialised training in interpreting neuropsychological profiles and identifying the root causes of presenting problems. Certain conditions (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Specific Learning Disorders, Traumatic Brain Injury, Stroke, Dementia) are associated with particular neuropsychological profiles. A comprehensive neuropsychological assessment can inform a new diagnosis, or review an existing one, which can shape the development of appropriate recommendations for the individual.

Neuropsychological assessment is also the most sensitive method of determining the presence of dementia in its early stages. The comparison between baseline and follow-up neuropsychological assessments can determine whether or not a person is declining in their cognitive functioning and provide an opinion on the cause of the decline.

For more information about Neuropsychological assessments, please click here.

In addition to informing a diagnosis or treatment program, neuropsychological assessment can contribute to determinations about more practical or functional questions, such as whether or not a person is fit to drive a motor vehicle, return to work following an acquired brain injury and questions about a person’s capacity to live independently, make medical treatment decisions, or change their will. An understanding of a person’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses can also contribute significantly to a vocational rehabilitation program (i.e., suggest appropriate vocational activities).

For more information about capacity assessments, please click here.

To learn more or to book an assessment, call Sage Clinical Psychology on 0458 507 772 or contact us here.

Adult and Older Adult Assessment