Neuropsychological assessment · Neurological conditions
Thinking and memory, when you live with a neurological condition.
Many neurological conditions can affect thinking, memory and mood, not just movement or physical symptoms. A careful assessment describes what has changed, what is strong, and what helps.
A neuropsychological assessment turns questions about thinking and memory into clear answers, and a plan you can act on.
If you live with a neurological condition, or you are still working out what is going on, changes in concentration, memory, word-finding, processing speed or mood can be just as important as physical symptoms. We assess thinking carefully, explain what we find in plain language, and share it with your treating team. Not sure where to start? Try our service finder or call us on 0452 452 262.
The fuller picture
How neurological conditions can affect thinking
Some people notice no change in their thinking at all. For others, certain thinking skills become slower or less reliable. Knowing which, if any, are affected is useful information.
- Processing speed and attention can change, so that thinking, reading or reacting take a little longer
- Memory can be affected, sometimes in storing new information, sometimes in retrieving it
- Planning and mental flexibility (the brain's self-management system) can take more effort
- Language and word-finding, or visuospatial skills such as judging space and distance, can shift
- Fatigue, mood and sleep often change alongside the condition, and these in turn affect thinking; an assessment helps separate them out
Conditions we assess
Where a neuropsychologist can help
We assess the thinking and mood that go with a range of neurological conditions. If yours is not listed here, please call us; this is not a complete list.
Multiple sclerosis (MS) and cognition
Cognitive change is common in MS and can affect processing speed, memory and attention, sometimes described as brain fog. It can come and go with fatigue and relapses, which makes it easy to miss. An assessment clarifies what has changed, separates the effects of fatigue and mood, sets a baseline, and supports decisions about work, study and daily life.
Epilepsy and memory
Epilepsy, and the changes in the brain that underlie it, can affect memory, attention, word-finding and processing speed, and some medications add to this. A careful assessment describes the pattern and tracks it over time. Where epilepsy surgery is being considered, neuropsychological assessment is a standard part of the work-up.
Stroke and vascular conditions
After a stroke, the thinking skills affected depend on where it happened, and can include memory, attention, language, planning or visuospatial skills. Smaller vessel changes can cause more gradual difficulties. An assessment guides rehabilitation, and decisions about work and driving. You can also read about our brain injury and stroke assessment.
Brain tumour
Both a brain tumour and its treatment, such as surgery, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, can affect thinking. An assessment provides a baseline and lets change be measured over time rather than guessed at, which supports rehabilitation and planning.
Parkinson's and movement disorders
Parkinson's disease and related movement disorders can affect planning, attention, memory and mood. Assessment also contributes to deep brain stimulation (DBS) teams. We have a detailed page on Parkinson's, movement disorders and DBS.
Autoimmune and inflammatory conditions
Conditions where the immune system affects the brain, such as autoimmune encephalitis, can change memory, attention and processing speed. An assessment helps describe the picture, supports diagnosis alongside your treating team, and tracks recovery over time.
Other neurological conditions
We also assess thinking in many other neurological and related conditions, including the cognitive effects of some treatments. If you have a question about thinking or memory, call us and we will tell you honestly whether an assessment is likely to help.
We are not a surgical or medical service. Diagnosis and treatment of the condition itself stay with your neurologist and treating team. Our part is the assessment of thinking and mood, the baseline, and the practical recommendations that follow.
“Understanding thinking, not just the diagnosis, helps people plan with confidence.”
Why assess
Why an assessment helps
A careful look at thinking answers practical questions and gives the treating team objective information to work with.
- It describes which thinking skills are affected, and which remain strong, so support can be matched to the person
- It separates the effects of fatigue, mood, sleep or medication from a settled change in thinking
- It sets a baseline, so that change can be measured over time rather than guessed at
- It informs decisions about work, study, driving and the supports a person needs
- It contributes to treatment planning, and to specialist pathways such as epilepsy surgery or deep brain stimulation
What to expect
From first contact to report
Interview
We start with a conversation about your history, your condition, and what you would like the assessment to answer.
Testing
Standardised tasks looking at memory, attention, language and reasoning, with breaks. We can pace the day around fatigue and medication timing.
Scoring
We score and interpret the results, and bring together what they mean for your question.
Feedback and report
We talk you through what we found and give you a written report, with practical next steps. With consent, we share it with your treating team.
Funding
How assessment is funded
Neuropsychological assessment is not rebated under Medicare's Better Access program. It is funded privately, or through the NDIS, DVA, WorkCover Queensland, icare (NSW), CTP insurers or employer programs. We confirm your funding and the likely hours before booking. Full details are on our Fees and Policies page.
Common questions
Questions people often ask
Do I need a referral to see a neuropsychologist?
No. You do not need a referral for a private appointment, and you are welcome to contact us yourself. Neurologists, GPs and other specialists can also refer through our referrer page, and with your consent we share the report with your treating team.
Is neuropsychological assessment covered by Medicare?
No. Assessment is not rebated under the Medicare Better Access program. It is commonly funded privately, or through the NDIS, DVA, WorkCover Queensland, icare, CTP insurers or employer programs. We confirm your funding and the likely hours before booking.
What is involved, and how long does it take?
An assessment usually involves a clinical interview, a testing session, and time for scoring and a written report, often 6 to 15 hours in total across these stages. Plan for a morning or an afternoon, sometimes split across two visits. We pace the day around fatigue and medication timing.
Can the assessment be done by telehealth?
We offer appointments on the Gold Coast and, where suitable, by telehealth across Australia. Some parts of a cognitive assessment are best completed in person, so we will let you know what fits your situation before booking.
What should I bring?
Bring your glasses and hearing aids if you use them, a list of your medications, and any previous reports or scans. Being rested helps. If your medication timing affects how you feel, let us know so we can plan the session around it.
Take the next step
If you or someone you care for lives with a neurological condition and has a question about thinking, request an appointment or call 0452 452 262. Neurologists and other specialists can refer through our referrer page. You do not need a referral for a private appointment.
Request an appointmentSources: American Academy of Neurology positions on the value of neuropsychological evaluation in stroke, epilepsy and brain tumour; MS Australia and RACGP guidance on cognition in multiple sclerosis; Movement Disorder Society criteria for cognitive change in Parkinson's disease. This page is general information, not medical advice.