Neuropsychological Assessment Service

A Neuropsychological assessment is an assessment of brain function and involves the testing and examination of cognitive, emotional and behavioural functioning. Cognitive function refers to a person's mental processing and activities. These functions vary as can be conscious or unconscious, as well as automatic or under a person's control. Formal cognitive assessment includes the administration of a number of tests. Tests are administered by a trained and qualified neuropsychologist. A comprehensive assessment typically includes measurement of orientation, attention, immediate memory, working memory, speed of information processing, learning and memory (for both verbal and non-verbal material) as well as intellectual functioning, language, visuo-spatial processing and executive functioning.

It is important to note that the tests are designed to be measurements of cognitive abilities, not brain damage. Performance can be poor or reduced for a variety of reasons including: pain, medication, motivation as well as brain dyfunction. Accordingly, a considerable amount of time is spent scoring tests and interpreting the data so that a comprehensive understanding of a person can be made. A person's cognitive profile (i.e., strengths and weaknesses) in conjunction with information and emotional and behavioural functioning can be useful in a wide variety of settings. Obvious uses include diagnosis and treatment of dysfunction. Other areas where a detailed understanding of a person cognitive, behavioural and emotional function include: Probate, Civil and Criminal. A Neuropsychologist Melbourne based service provides neuropsychological assessment in all areas. Further information about What is a Neuropsychological Assessment can be obtained by clicking on the link, while information about neuropsychological services (e.g., forensic, medico-legal, rehailitation and decision making) are provided below.

Why obtain a neuropsychological assessment?

Describe a person's strengths and weaknesses

Identify changes in a person's functioning

Determine the neurobiological basis for problems

Determine if a person's mental impairment contributed to a crime

Inform the court in civil and criminal matters

Determine a person's competency or capacity to make decisions

Determine the underlying reason for dysfunction (e.g., brain damage, psychiatric condition, developmental disorder or neurological condition)

Diagnosis of a condition

Develop treatment plans in a variety of different settings (e.g., school, vocational, rehabilitation)

Neuropsychological Assessment:

Forensic Neuropsychological Assessment

Neuropsychological assessment
Medico-legal assessment
Forensic neuropsychological assessment
Evaluation of findings from other neuropsychological assessment reports
Expert testimony in court
Diagnosis
Forensic Neuropsychology - Opinion on mental impairment defense
The likelihood of malingering of factitious disorders
Fitness to stand trial: A person is unfit to stand trial for an offence if their mental processes are so disordered during the trial that they are unable to:
understand the nature of the charge;
enter a plea to the charge and exercise the right to challenge juror or the jury;
understand the nature of the trial;
follow the course of the trial;
understand the substantial effect of any evidence that may be given in support of the prosecution; or
give instructions to their legal practitioner
Mental impairment defence: A viable mental impairment defence may be available if a person, at the time of engaging in the conduct constituting the offence, they were experiencing a mental illness that had the effect that: they did not know the nature and quality of the conduct; or they did not know that the conduct was wrong (if they could not reason with a moderate degree of sense and composure about whether the conduct as perceived by reasonable people was wrong)
Legal aid cases are considered. Neurodynamics provides a Forensic Neuropsychologist Assessment Service across Melbourne and Victoria tailored for the legal community. This is a compelex area of neuropsychology, being the nexus of the law and the brain.

Medico-legal Neuropsychological Assessment for Personal Injury Claims

Delineate the strengths and weakness of a client
Assess cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning post injury
Diagnosis and likely prognosis of condition (including Permanent Impairment)
Capacity for employment
Effect of injuries over the course of life having regard to capacity for employment, domestic duties, social and leisure activities, the need for future treatment
Opinion as to a condition has stabilised or substantially stabilised
The likelihood of malingering of factitious disorders
Assessment of the effects of problems such as mental illness and substance use
IQ assessment
Consultant Neuropsychologist experienced in Transport Accident Commission (TAC) and WorkCover claims

Rehabilitation Focussed Neuropsychological Assessment - A Clinical Neuropsychology Approach

Assessment for rehabilitation purposes or return to work and provision of strategies for overcoming cognitive problems
Complex challenging behaviour assessment service conducted by experienced clinical neuropsychologist

Assessment to determine decision-making capacity

Assessment to determine competency with respect to Guardianship and or Administration Orders
Testamentary capacity
Decision-making capacity (e.g., capacity to make a will)

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