What is the difference between psychological testing and neuropsychological testing

Psychological testing involves an evaluation from a clinical psychologist. This process is used to diagnose and identify psychiatric and developmental disorders, such as anxiety, depression, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders.

Consider this the narrowed form of testing, whereas neuropsychological testing is more broad and comprehensive. Neuropsychological testing is a specialized form of testing that covers many areas of cognitive and behavioral assessment. Some components of neuropsychological testing overlap with psychological testing, but the neuropsychological tests are more detailed.

This type of assessment does not include tests to reliably capture cognitive difficulties associated with attention, memory, learning, or executive functioning weaknesses.

Use a series of tests to assess various areas of cognition and behavior. These areas include memory, attention, learning, processing speed, and abstract reasoning. This information is linked back to brain structures, to provide information regarding the impact of any identified areas of difficulty on a person's everyday functioning. Include a detailed investigation of a child's developmental, medical, social, and psychological history.

This is in addition to an extensive testing battery that examines intellectual, academic, attention, executive functioning, language, visuospatial, visuoconstructional, memory, and fine motor skills. ViewPoint Center utilizes neuropsychological assessments along with psychological evaluations to provide patients with the most comprehensive assessment process possible.

To find out more about Neuropsych testing listen to this Podcast from Dr. Brandon Park or read this other blog, What is Psychological Testing? Or you can learn more about IEP's. With a program lasting weeks, ViewPoint Center provides superior assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and stabilization for teens struggling with mental and behavioral issues such as suicidal ideation, anxiety disorders, and eating disorders.

Obtain data regarding developmental and emotional age. Obtain data regarding family dynamics. Evaluate for trauma and abuse. Evaluate for risk of self-harm, aggression, and treatment compliance or flight.

Detect malingering, deceit, and exaggeration. Screen for behaviors that are high risk, illegal, or violate the rights of others or major social values. Psych Central. Gualtieri, C. T and Johnson, L. ADHD: Is objective diagnosis possible? Psychiatry November: Harvey, P. Dialogues in Clinical neuroscience, Vol. Heilbronner, R. Official position of the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology on serial neuropsychological assessments: the utility and challenges of repeat test administrations in clinical and forensic contexts.

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