When individuals sustain an injury to the brain, experience changes in brain function with unclear cause, or for those with known neurological conditions, a neuropsychological evaluation can clarify the nature and extent of effects on the individual’s cognition (i.e., memory, attention, executive functioning, etc.)

Dr. Amanda Hahn-Ketter at Union Square Practice is a neuropsychologist specializing in assessment, diagnosis, and treatment planning for individuals across the lifespan with known or suspected brain dysfunction. She also provides brief cognitive rehabilitation to help individuals compensate for and cope with cognitive difficulties.

Common reasons to seek a neuropsychological evaluation:

• Establish or clarify a diagnosis
• Develop a treatment plan for cognitive remediation
• Determine the extent of cognitive impairment or decline secondary to a known diagnosis
• Seek accommodations at school, work, and on standardized tests
• Document current cognitive abilities prior to a planned medical intervention such as a major change in medications, surgery, or treatment for cancer
• After the medical intervention, testing can be repeated to determine if the treatment has had an effect on cognitive abilities

Neurological conditions:

• Known or suspected dementia such as Alzheimer’s disease, frontotemporal dementia, Lewy body
• Mild cognitive impairment (MCI)
• Concussion
• Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
• Multiple sclerosis (MS)
• Epilepsy
• Stroke
• Brain tumor
• Hydrocephalus
• Encephalitis

Cognitive concerns in the context of medical problems:

• Autoimmune disease
• Chronic pain
• Sleep related problems
• Chronic heart or respiratory problems
• Treatment for cancer
• Exposure to toxins, such as lead, street drugs, or inhalants (carbon monoxide)
• Electric shock injury

Neurodevelopmental disorders:

• Learning disability
• Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
• Nonverbal learning disorder
• Executive functioning deficits