Evaluations

For Texas Workers Compensation Injured Workers

Neuropsychology is a specialty field that joins the medical fields of neurology, psychology and psychiatry.
Neuropsychology involves determining how well the brain is working when it is
disrupted by a brain injury or psychological disorder.

A Professional Evaluation

A neuropsychological assessment is a comprehensive test of a wide range of mental (cognitive and executive) functions of the brain including behavior. Neuropsychologists are the only specialists that are trained to evaluate and measure brain function.

A neuropsychological evaluation specifically assesses how brain function (memory, attention, executive skills) impacts behavior, often due to injury or neurological conditions, using detailed tests over longer periods.

A psychological evaluation, broader in scope, generally explores personality, emotions, and mental health (like depression, anxiety, ADHD) to diagnose conditions and recommend general therapy, often shorter and less brain-focused.

Neuropsychological tests are deeper dives into cognitive processes linked to the brain, while psychological tests focus more on mental health diagnoses and behavioral patterns.

Neuropsychological Evaluation - Assessment And Testing

In short, a neuropsychological evaluation includes evaluations and tests to measure how well a person’s brain is working.

A Neuropsychological Assessment is a comprehensive assessment of cognitive (brain) processes designed to evaluate neurological disorders such as known or suspected traumatic brain injury (TBI), concussion or other head injury, in order to understand the etiology and evolution of cognitive disorders. Neuropsychology is the unique integration of genetic, developmental, and environmental history with testing data to better understand brain functioning through a comprehensive assessment of a person’s cognitive and personality functioning. This can provide information that can specify the origin and development of a neurological disorder and provide customized recommendations or specific
impairments.

The areas tested include:

  • Reading
  • Language usage
  • Attention
  • Learning
  • Processing speed
  • Reasoning
  • Remembering
  • Problem-solving
  • Behavior
  • Mood
  • Personality
  • And more

Psychological Evaluation - Assessment And Testing

In short, a psychological evaluation is often thought of as the first line of defense in diagnosing and treating mental health and behavioral conditions. 

A psychological assessment is a comprehensive, multi-method evaluation conducted by qualified professionals—typically licensed psychologists—to analyze an individual’s cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functioning. By using interviews, standardized tests, and behavioral observations, these assessments diagnose conditions like ADHD, learning disabilities, or emotional disorders, inform treatment plans, and help identify personal strengths and weaknesses.

The areas tested include:

  • Changes in mood
  • Nervousness or anxiety
  • Depression
  • Social Withdrawal
  • Changes in sleeping or eating habits
  • Difficulty performing daily activities and tasks
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

evaluations FAQs

Wanna learn more about PEs and NPEs? Read on!

In short, a neuropsychological evaluation includes evaluations and tests to measure how well a person’s brain is working.

A Neuropsychological Evaluation, aka NPE, consists of:

  • Focus: Brain-behavior relationships, cognitive functions (memory, attention, processing speed, executive functions).
  • Purpose: Pinpoint specific cognitive strengths/weaknesses, often for brain injury, developmental disorders, or
    complex cases.
  • Process: Longer (10+ hours), detailed tests, extensive reports, performed by neuropsychologists.

The areas treated include:

  • Reading
  • Language usage
  • Attention
  • Learning
  • Processing speed
  • Reasoning
  • Remembering
  • Problem-solving
  • Behavior
  • Mood
  • Personality
  • And more
  • Choose NPE if: You suspect a Concussion, traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, or specific learning/memory/attention deficits (e.g., post-concussion syndrome).
  • Choose PE if: To accurately diagnose mental and/or behavioral health issues like PSTD, depression, anxiety, or basic ADHD/Autism screening.

In short, a psychological evaluation is often thought of as the first line of defense in diagnosing and treating mental health and behavioral conditions. 

A Psychological Evaluation, aka PE, consists of:

  • Focus: Emotional, behavioral, and personality functioning.
  • Purpose: Diagnose mental health conditions (anxiety, depression, ADHD, autism) and guide therapy.
  • Process: Shorter (2-4 hours), less brain-specific, often by clinical psychologists or school psychologists.

The areas treated include:

  • Changes in mood
  • Nervousness or anxiety
  • Depression
  • Social Withdrawal
  • Changes in sleeping or eating habits
  • Difficulty performing daily activities and tasks
  • Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
  • Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
  • Scope: NPE is narrow and deep (brain-focused); PE is broad (mental health/behavior).
  • Depth: NPE offers detailed cognitive profiles; PE provides diagnoses for conditions.
  • Provider: NPE by neuropsychologists; PE by psychologists, school psychologists.