Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What Is a neuropsychologist?
A: The science of neuropsychology examines the links between brain function and behavior. By identifying and addressing these links, the skilled neuropsychologist helps patients understand how their own unique problem-solving styles contribute to their successes and their challenges at work, in school, in relationships, and elsewhere.
Neuropsychologists typically are licensed psychologists with at least 4 postgraduate years of study in human development, neurological development, emotional function, and social development. Clinicians who practice Neuropsychology additionally undergo extensive education in specific brain function related to behavior and learning. This training equips them to develop specialized curricula and educational techniques.
Neuropsychologists, such as Dr. Wetter, who practice applied Neuropsychology also develop individualized remediative programs to address functional issues at school, work, home, and elsewhere.
A standard Psychological Assessment typically evaluates general symptoms and emotional/personality functioning and is geared to diagnose psychiatric conditions. A standard assessment has the capacity to diagnose a condition such as ADHD based on behavior, but it lacks the specificity to understand what underlying neurological process is causing the symptoms and therefore cannot give customized recommendations for treatment. A Neuropsychological Assessment is comprehensive in that it uses a series of tests to assess various areas of cognition while integrating a thorough developmental history. We use this information to create a road map of customized recommendations for therapy, treatment, and educational assistance.
Q. How is Neuropsychological testing different than psychological testing?
Q: How is a neuropsychological assessment different from a school psychologist's test?
A: A neuropsychological assessment answers the questions associated with how a person thinks and learns. It is an indepth look at intellect assessment of language processing, perceptual reasong, memory, focus and attention and academic progress. This type of assessment leads to specific recommendations about what should be done to solve problem areas. School psychologists, on the other hand, are looking at a child’s academic standing and determining whether there is a school-based program that they qualify to participate in. Thus, many issues are not addressed nor are the full range of diagnostics and interventions explored.
Q: How long does a neuropsychological assessment take?
A: The length of the testing period varies based upon the subject's age and cognitive processing speed. In most cases, the assessment involves four to seven hours of testing.
Q: Do I or my child have to take all these tests in one session?
A: No. To minimize fatigue Dr. Wetter prefers to perform assessments during at least two different testing sessions. Tests typically are administered during the morning to mid-day hours when a patient is alert and not tired from a day of school or work.
Q: What happens after the assessments are concluded?
A: Dr. Wetter analyzes the assessment data and uses the results to develop a neuropsychological profile which identifies the patient's individual neuropsychological strengths and challenges. Using this profile, Dr. Wetter works with the patient or the patient's parents to develop practical living strategies that address issues identified during the assessment process.
Q: What makes this process so worthwhile?
A: Because Dr. Wetter focuses on the applied aspects of the diagnosis, he gives his patients more than a jumble of test numbers and descriptions without application to everyday life. Dr. Wetter's goal is to help individuals develop practical, attainable strategies for meaningfully improving their lives on a day-to-day basis. When working with children, he frequently meets with teachers and school personnel to help foster a team approach to addressing identified patterns of strength and challenge.