As a formally trained neuropsychologist, Dr. Kinsora adheres strictly to principles of objectivity, empirical evidence, and scientific research when conducting all neuropsychological examinations.
Services Include:
Neuropsychological Examination
Neuropsychological examinations may include an appraisal of:
- intellectual capacity
- academic skills (expanded depending on the referral question)
- working memory and mental tracking
- sustained attention
- cognitive processing speed
- word-finding
- auditory comprehension
- abstract language functioning
- visuospatial processing and construction
- memory and new learning
- executive and self-regulatory functioning
- motor skills (speed, strength, fine motor dexterity)
- olfactory functioning
- personality functioning
Once all of the measures have been administered, Dr. Kinsora evaluates the resulting data set for validity prior to interpretation. This process ensures that the interpretation of neurocognitive measures remains accurate. Once the validity of the data set is established, the pattern of performance can be interpreted and compared to known diagnostic groups as well as well researched cognitive processing pathways. The patterns of performance are then used to formulate functional implications for the examinee in his or her day-to-day life. In many cases, diagnostic groups can be eliminated entirely based on the pattern of performance.
It is noteworthy that Neuroscience research clearly demonstrates that neurocognitive assessment is far more accurate than predictions based on MRI, PET, and other radiological studies in describing the extent of neurocognitive alteration that might be present in various neurological disorders and traumatic brain injuries. Likewise, typical Neurological screening tests used by both neurologists and neurosurgeons are often either too insensitive or nonspecific to the broad range of cognitive changes that can occur as a result of damage to the brain. For this reason, neurologists and neurosurgeons rely on neurocognitive assessments from neuropsychologists to understand how damage to the brain has changed their patient.