Neurocognitive Evaluations in Newton

A medical condition or injury has left you wondering about changes in your thinking, memory, or concentration. Perhaps you've noticed cognitive difficulties following a concussion, stroke, or diagnosis of a neurological condition. Newton Neuropsychology Group provides comprehensive neurocognitive evaluations for individuals throughout Newton, the greater Boston area and New England. We help you understand how medical conditions affect cognitive functioning.

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When Medical Conditions Affect Your Thinking

You might notice that tasks requiring concentration feel harder since your injury or diagnosis. Perhaps you forget information more frequently than before. Maybe you struggle to find words during conversation or take longer to process information.


These difficulties can create significant emotional burden:


  • You might feel worried about whether cognitive changes will worsen or become permanent
  • You may experience frustration that your brain doesn't work the way it used to
  • You could feel anxious about how cognitive difficulties affect your work performance or independence
  • You might struggle with uncertainty about what's causing changes and what treatment options exist



Our comprehensive neurocognitive evaluations assess how conditions like traumatic brain injury, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or cardiovascular disease affect your thinking, memory, and processing.

Understanding Cognitive Assessment for Medical Conditions

Neurocognitive evaluations are comprehensive assessments examining how brain function affects thinking, memory, attention, processing speed, language, and executive functioning. These evaluations are particularly valuable when medical or neurological conditions may be impacting cognitive abilities. Through standardized testing and clinical interviews, we determine the degree to which medical conditions affect cognitive functioning.


Many chronic medical and neurological conditions carry potential impacts to thinking and memory. Understanding these changes through formal evaluation helps determine appropriate treatment, accommodations, and strategies.


Neurocognitive evaluations may be helpful for individuals experiencing:


  • Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) or Concussion: Difficulty with memory, attention, or concentration following head injury. Changes in processing speed. Emotional changes including irritability or anxiety. Need for documentation to support return-to-work or return-to-school planning.
  • Neurological Conditions: Cognitive changes secondary to epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, stroke, or brain tumors.
  • Other Medical Conditions: Cardiovascular conditions affecting cognitive functioning. Hormonal changes impacting memory or concentration. Chronic illness affecting energy and attention.
  • Neurocognitive evaluations determine the degree to which medical conditions may be impacting cognitive functioning and help tailor treatment plans.


You can learn more about traumatic brain injury from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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Specialized Expertise in Medical Neuropsychology

Our neuropsychologists have extensive training in assessing cognitive functioning in individuals with medical and neurological conditions. We understand how different conditions affect specific cognitive domains and can differentiate between changes caused by neurological factors versus emotional concerns or medication effects.



Medical neuropsychology requires specialized knowledge beyond general assessment. Our clinicians understand neuroanatomy, how brain injuries heal, how neurological diseases progress, and which cognitive domains are most vulnerable to different conditions.


We evaluate individuals across the lifespan who are experiencing cognitive changes related to medical conditions. Our comprehensive approach examines multiple cognitive domains to create a complete profile of strengths and weaknesses. This detailed assessment guides specific recommendations for cognitive rehabilitation, compensatory strategies, accommodations, and treatment planning.

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Moving Forward With or Without Understanding

Without formal evaluation, uncertainty about cognitive changes often persists. You might continue wondering whether difficulties are real or imagined, temporary or permanent. Work performance may suffer without appropriate accommodations. Anxiety about cognitive functioning can intensify when you lack objective information.



With comprehensive neurocognitive evaluation, clarity replaces uncertainty. You'll understand which cognitive domains are affected and which remain strong. Evaluation findings guide targeted intervention. If memory is affected, you'll receive specific strategies to compensate. Workplace or educational accommodations can be implemented based on documented needs.


For individuals with progressive conditions, baseline evaluation allows tracking of changes over time. Repeat assessments can monitor disease progression or recovery patterns.

What Comprehensive Assessment Provides

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Baseline Documentation

Establish objective measurement of current cognitive functioning. This baseline becomes valuable for tracking changes over time or monitoring treatment effects.

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Treatment Planning Guidance

Identify which cognitive domains are affected and which remain strong. This information guides rehabilitation focus and realistic goal-setting.

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Accommodation Recommendations

Receive specific suggestions for workplace or educational accommodations that support functioning. Documentation supports formal accommodation requests when needed.

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Stress and Anxiety Management

Understanding cognitive changes reduces uncertainty and anxiety. Many individuals describe relief at having explanation for difficulties they've noticed.

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Differentiation of Causes

Determine whether cognitive difficulties stem primarily from medical conditions, emotional factors, medication effects, or combination of causes. This clarification guides more effective intervention.

Schedule Your Neurocognitive Evaluation Today

If a medical condition or injury has affected your thinking, memory, or concentration, comprehensive evaluation can provide clarity. We serve individuals throughout Newton and the greater Boston area with thorough neurocognitive assessments.


Our evaluations provide specific recommendations for treatment, rehabilitation, accommodations, and stress management tailored to your cognitive profile.

How Medical Neuropsychological Assessment Works

01

Detailed Medical and Cognitive History

We meet with you for approximately one hour to understand your medical condition, when cognitive changes began, and how they affect daily functioning. We review medical records, imaging results, medication lists, and treatment history. We discuss specific cognitive concerns you've noticed. This comprehensive background ensures we understand cognitive functioning in context of your medical situation.

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Comprehensive Neuropsychological Testing

We conduct thorough cognitive assessment, typically lasting three to four hours for adults. Testing examines multiple domains including attention, processing speed, memory, language, visuospatial functioning, and executive functioning. We select tests based on your specific medical condition and referral questions. For individuals experiencing fatigue, we can split testing across multiple shorter sessions. We also gather information from family members who observe your functioning.

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Integration, Feedback, and Recommendations

Once testing is complete and we've integrated results with your medical history, we schedule feedback to discuss findings comprehensively. We explain which cognitive domains are affected and which remain strong, and provide specific recommendations. These may include cognitive rehabilitation referrals, compensatory strategies, workplace or educational accommodations, or therapeutic interventions. You receive a detailed written report.

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Specialized Evaluation Following Head Injury

Traumatic brain injury (TBI), including concussion, can significantly affect cognitive functioning even when imaging appears normal. Our neurocognitive evaluations following head injury provide objective documentation of cognitive strengths and challenges, guide recovery planning, and support return-to-work or return-to-school decisions.



TBI evaluation is particularly important because cognitive effects may not be immediately apparent. Some individuals experience obvious difficulties immediately. Others notice subtle changes in attention, processing speed, or memory that affect functioning but aren't easily visible.


We evaluate individuals at various stages following injury. Some come shortly after injury to establish baseline. Others seek evaluation weeks or months later when cognitive difficulties persist. Still others come years after injury to understand longstanding cognitive changes.


Results guide recommendations for cognitive rehabilitation, accommodations, pacing strategies, and therapeutic support. For students, findings support academic accommodations. For employees, results document needs for workplace modifications.

Common Questions About Medical Neuropsychological Assessment

  • How soon after injury or diagnosis should I have evaluation?

    Timing depends on your specific situation. For acute injuries like concussion, we often wait several weeks to allow initial recovery. For progressive conditions, evaluation can occur at any point to establish baseline. We can discuss optimal timing during initial consultation.

  • Will evaluation tell me if my condition is getting worse?

    A single evaluation provides a snapshot of current functioning. If you've had previous testing, we can compare results to track changes. For progressive conditions, repeat evaluations every 1-3 years can monitor disease progression.

  • Can evaluation help with insurance or disability claims?

    Yes. Formal neuropsychological evaluation provides objective documentation that can support various claims. Results document cognitive limitations resulting from medical conditions and support requests for accommodations.

  • Do you coordinate with my medical providers?

    Absolutely. With your permission, we communicate with neurologists, primary care doctors, rehabilitation therapists, or other providers. This coordination ensures everyone understands your cognitive profile.

Understanding Cognitive Changes After Medical Conditions

Medical and neurological conditions can significantly affect cognitive functioning, but comprehensive evaluation provides clarity and guides effective support. Whether you're recovering from injury or managing a chronic condition, neurocognitive assessment helps you understand your cognitive profile.