Lewis Smith Ph.D. PC

DR. LEWIS SMITH, PH.D. is a Licensed Psychologist/Neuropsychologist who provides Neuropsychological Evaluation and Consulting Services.

 

NEUROPSYCHOLOGY

A specialty within the field of psychology that focuses primarily on neurobehavioral functioning.

 

MAJOR PURPOSES

Neuropsychological evaluation serves many purposes. The major purpose of a neuropsychological evaluation is to assist in the diagnosis of traumatic brain injuries and to identify the nature and extent of associated limitations. Such testing can be used to identify changes in an individual's status over a period of time and to evaluate the effectiveness of interventions.

 

TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURY AND/OR CLOSED HEAD INJURY

Neuropsychological evaluations consist of procedures that use established brain-behavior relationships to identify the functional behavioral consequences of traumatic brain injury and to infer the nature and extent of traumatic brain injury based on the findings. By contrast, physical measures such as EEG, MRI, and CT-Scan focus on measuring the integrity of the brain structure and certain brain processes including metabolism and electrical activity. Both procedures are important for assessing the integrity of the brain and its functional behavioral capacities.

 

NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION - CLINICAL INTERVIEW - MENTAL STATUS EXAMINATION - NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL TESTING - PATIENT RECORD REVIEW

A neuropsychological evaluation consisting of a standard neuropsychological clinical interview, mental status examination, neuropsychological testing, and review of patient records are essential in identifying the cognitive, conative, personality, and neurobehavioral changes as a result of an acquired traumatic brain injury. The effects of closed head injuries, for example, often go undetected without proper neuropsychological procedures being employed.