Our approach
What a neuropsychological evaluation actually involves.
An evaluation measures how the brain is working in practice. It answers questions imaging cannot: what is affected, how much, and what should be done about it.
The process
Five stages, explained before each one happens.
Clinical interview
Dr. Barnoski meets with you — and, where helpful, a family member — to understand the history, what has changed, when it began, and what the referring provider is asking. This shapes which tests are administered.
Testing
A structured battery of standardized tasks measuring the cognitive domains relevant to your referral question. Testing is done at a desk, in a quiet room, with breaks. It is not physically demanding, and nothing about it is painful or invasive.
Scoring and interpretation
Your performance is compared against normative data for your age, education, and background. Dr. Barnoski integrates the results with your history, medical records, and clinical observations.
The report
A detailed written report describing what was found, what it means, a diagnosis where one is warranted, and specific recommendations — for treatment, for school or work accommodation, for safety, and for follow-up.
Feedback appointment
Once the report is finalized, some patients prefer to review the findings with their referring physician, while others choose to schedule a feedback session with Dr. Barnoski to discuss the results and ask questions. Results are not provided by office staff over the phone.
What is measured
Eight domains, weighted to your referral question.
Not every evaluation covers every domain to the same depth. The battery is selected for the question being asked — a post-concussion assessment and a dementia work-up look quite different.
Memory
How new information is learned, retained, and retrieved over time — and which stage of that process is affected.
Attention
Sustained focus, divided attention, and the capacity to filter distraction across a working day.
Language
Word finding, comprehension, naming, and fluency in expression and understanding.
Executive functioning
Planning, organization, mental flexibility, judgment, and the regulation of behavior.
Processing speed
How quickly information is taken in and acted upon under everyday and timed conditions.
Visual-spatial skills
Perception, construction, and spatial reasoning, including navigation and visual organization.
Problem solving
Reasoning, abstraction, and the ability to work through unfamiliar situations methodically.
Emotional functioning
Mood, anxiety, and personality factors that can influence cognition and daily functioning.
How long it takes
What to Expect
The length and structure of an evaluation vary depending on the reason for the evaluation and the required testing. Our office will provide more specific information about what to expect when your appointment is scheduled.
Reports are typically completed within one to two weeks after testing. We suggest calling about a week after testing to see whether your report is ready. Some patients prefer to review the findings with their referring physician, while others choose to schedule a feedback session with Dr. Barnoski to discuss the results and ask questions.
- Sleep normally the night before.
- Take your usual medications as prescribed, unless your physician has told you otherwise.
- Bring your glasses and hearing aids if you use them.
- Bring a list of your medications and any relevant prior testing, imaging, or specialist reports.
- Eat beforehand and bring a snack, as testing may take several hours with breaks.
- A family member is welcome and may be asked to provide additional background information.
Ready to begin?
Requesting an evaluation takes a few minutes, and you can stop and resume. If a question comes up along the way, our chat assistant is available on any page.