It complements clinical psychology, educational psychology and neurology but offers additional and specific information to understanding and managing an individual who has sustained some brain insult. Neuropsychological assessments can help to chart the process of change. Improvement over time is important to document as resources and plans may need revision. Specific psychometric tests designed to evaluate discrete aspects of thinking and to compare levels of performance with the general population. Observational information and qualitative data is analysed according to the neuropsychologists knowledge of how specific behavioural features are related to brain function.
Quantitative data comes from psychometric tests.
These are developed via extensive research so that they are valid, reliable and meaningful measures of behaviours and cognitive functions. They provide standard scores - where a person's score on the test is compared to what Is normal for their age. Pattern s of impaired and normal scores can be related to specific brain lesions. Quantitative measures are also sensitive indicators of change. On average, a comprehensive assessment takes about 2 - 4 hours.