What Can I Expect From an Evaluation?

Dr. Monaco provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for all referral questions, to fulfill our goal of giving clients a through understanding of the interplay between the different areas of functioning.

The evaluation process begins with a 60-90 minute interview focusing on the reason for seeking an evaluation and background history. Based on this early information, Dr. Monaco selects cognitive, personality, and social-emotional assessments that are administered by graduate-level psychometricians. These tests assess the different regions of the brain that are responsible for various aspects of our thinking, behavior, and emotion and provide the information needed to identify strengths, limitations, and/or changes in the indivudal's functioning. For individuals who have questions about cognitive decline, a neuropsychological evaluation can provide information about their abilities even before potential structual irregularities appear on neuroimaging.

After all assessments are complete, Dr. Monaco will provide an evaluation report that includes test results, clincial diagnoses, and personalized recommendations. In a separate feedback session, all the information included in the report is reviewed thoroughly with the client and any questions are answered.

Some of the Most Common Concerns That We See

ADHD

Cognitive Dysfunction

Depression & anxiety

One of the most common diagnoses among youth today is Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. Problems with attention and executive functioning, however, are often seen in many other emotional, behavioral, and cognitive difficulties, however, which can make obtaining a complete diagnosis difficult. A neuropsychological evaluation ensures that other potential factors and clinical difficulties can be ruled out, ensuring an accurate ADHD diagnosis.

Depression & anxiety

Cognitive Dysfunction

Depression & anxiety

Depression, anxiety, and chronic stress are some of the most common and uncomfortable emotions that we can experience. Although most people experience these at certain times in their lives, testing can help you obtain insight into the interplay between your emotional, behavioral, and cognitive functioning and offer guidance for both short-term and long-term treatment and intervention options.

Cognitive Dysfunction

Whether it be due to a recent concussion or other brain inury, ageing, or simply feeling as though you are not as sharp as you once were, a comprehensive evaluation will gives in-depth information about the functional and structural integrity of the brain. By identifying any limitations or decline and residual strengths, a differential diagnosis can be established and appropriate interventions put into place.

Autism Spectrum

Learning Disability

Cognitive Dysfunction

The manifestation of autism differs broadly between each individual, which is why getting a comprehensive evaluation is essential. A neuropsychological evaluation looks at a broad range of developmental skill areas, including social, emotional, adaptive, and cognitive abilities, all of which are considered when identifying autism.

Trauma & PTSD

Learning Disability

No matter how long in the past or how well one has coped with trauma in the aftermath, the impact of a traumatic experience can have long-term emotional, physical, and cognitive repercussions. Anxiety, fear, and hopelessness are often seen as well as an impact on cognitive processes such as attention and executive functioning. Testing can tease out the various contributors to the presenting issues and guide you to the help that you need.

Learning Disability

The breadth of assessments used in a neuropsychological evaluation goes well beyond an intelligence test to evaluate the specific functions that can impact learning. Information about emotional difficulties, memory, attention/executive functioning, retrieval, auditory-linguisitc abilities, and environmental factors are all key factors when attempting to understand what is impacting learning.