Neuropsychological testing is a test specifically designed to test and measure psychological functions. These tests evaluate executive functions that include attention, memory, language, perception, sensorimotor functions, motivation, mood state, emotion, quality of life, and more.
In this article, we explain more about neuropsychological testing and how it affects disability claimants.
Video Transcript
Hi, my name’s Mira Chopra, and I’m with Balin Law. I recently went to a conference in New Orleans and picked up a few little tidbits, a lot of tidbits actually. But one that I want to talk to you today is about neuropsychological testing.
Now, this sounds like a very fancy long word, but what it really is for is for people who are having problems with memory, problems with processing information.
Who’s affected by neuropsychological testing?
This very much affects people who have traumatic brain injuries, any kind of dementia, any kind of delayed development. It can happen to people who are very young, and it can happen to people who are much older. In either case, if you are young, a lot of times the schools will do very detailed testing to determine the nature of the impairment that you’re suffering from. And this helps with getting you disability benefits. But if you’re out of school, you don’t have anyone to do this.
How do I get neuropsychological testing?
To get neuropsychological testing, you need to go to your doctor. Ask them to refer you to a neuropsychological provider who can test you. I don’t know whether this is going to be covered all the time, but if you complain enough about the problems that you’re having and not be embarrassed about it, you will get sent to one of those. And more likely than not would probably be covered by your health insurance. You’ll have to check that with your provider.
Other advice for neuropsychological testing and Social Security disability benefits
It’s very important to document these things. Judges are not going to grant cases just because you say, “I can’t remember where I left my keys. I walk in and out of a room, and I can’t remember why I was there.” Those things need to be conveyed to a medical provider so that you can be tested.
If you have questions about neuropsychological testing and Social Security disability benefits, ask us and we can guide you.