Neuropsychology Assessment Service of Maryland
110 Painters Mill Rd., Ste. 23
Owings Mills, MD 21117
ph: 410-356-3383
fax: 410-356-3376
drrobert
Services
Neuropsychology Assessment Service of Maryland provides a range of clinical evaluative services to meet the demands of consumers in all areas ranging from individual educational needs to complex forensic assessments for civil, family court and criminal litigation proceedings.
Forensic Evaluations/ Independent Medical Examinations- Civil Proceedings
Neuropsychology Assessment Service evaluates clients invloved in civil litigation to provide scientific, quantifiable evidence regarding presence, scope and magnitiude of brain dysfunction, and causal connection or lack thereof, to the illness or injury in question. Results of neuropsychological assessments are organized into cognitive domains that are generally accepted by the scientific community including General Intelligence; Reasoning, Problem Solving and Concept Formation; Executive Functioning such as planning, organization; Attention/Concentration; Memory and Learning; Sensory Perceptual and Motor Skills; Language and Communication; Emotion and Personality. Additionally, all forensic evaluations receive an assessment of effort and an opinion as to the presence or absence of Malingering. This provides the professional in legal proceedings with a reasoned, objective and scientific way to discuss problems caused by brain injury or toxic exposure, in Worker's Compensation cases, and Civil Litigation.Forensic Evaluations - Criminal Proceedings
The complex needs of individuals involved in criminal proceedings requires skilled psychological evaluation of cognitive, behavioral and personality factors in order to help the triers of fact in determining trial competency and criminal responsibility. A thorough assessment including evaluation of premorbid learning disabilities is required for sentence mitigation. Neuropsychology Assessment Service can assist attorneys and the courts by providing comprehensive, informed evaluations, adhering to scientifc standards in criminal proceedings.Forensic Evaluations - Family Court Proceedings
When separating families are unable to resolve disputes independently, Family courts, for better or worse, often rely on expert psychologists to make reccommendations regarding custody and visitation of minor children. Neuropsychology Assessment Service provides objective, thourough evaluations of parenting capacity and child custody, adhering to stringent guidelines recommended by the American Psychological Association including but not limited to using only up to date, scientifically validated assessment procedures, and relying on results from multiple sources of data in rendering psychological opinions.Head Injury, Whiplash and Post Concussion Syndrome
Head injury occurs when the brain forecfully impacts the interior of the skull. This can occur without direct impact to the head, as in severe "whiplash." The compression, twisting and distortion of the brain as a result of this violent movement has the potential to cause localized as well as diffuse physical damage to the brain. Mild Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) usually refers to trauma that results in no loss of conciousness or only brief loss of conciousness. Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury usually refers to trauma resulting in extended loss of conciousness- hours to days. While head injury is quite common in the United States, the general public's knowledge regarding the long-term negative consequesnces of TBI on social and occupational functioning is not well known. Neuropsychological assessment is essential following head injury to determine the scope and magnitude of brain dysfunction, recommend appropriate rehabilitative efforts and modifications to social and occupational environments and monitor improvements over time.ADHD
ADHD is a brain disorder affecting one's attention and behavior. A comprehensive evlauation of ADHD minimally involves assessing five factors of attention including; 1. Sustained Attention: The ability to maintian one's focus; 2. Focus/ Execute: The ability to use self direction and speed in completing tasks; 3. Encode: The ability to hold auditory and visual information in memory for immediate manipulation and use; 4. Shift: The ability to change the focus and direction of one's attention according to task demands; 5. Variability: The ability to establish a consistent pattern or ryhthm while responding to task demands. An accurate diagnosis is essential in determining the appropriate course of treatment. ADHD is often overdiagnosed, particularly in active boys, while underdiagnosed in girls, and therefore, assessment of the underlying neuropsychological sequelae of the condition prevents misdiagnosis.Learning Disabilities
Neuropsychological and psychoeducational tests help to accurately diagnose learning disabilities. Functional strengths and weaknesses are identified. Recommendations are offered to help teachers provide intervention strategies and accommodations that make maximum use of functional strengths while helping strengthen functional deficits.College Bound Students with Learning Disabilities
Most Colleges and Universites recognize and plan for students with disabilities. Colleges typically require a recent (within one year) comprehensive evaluation of cognitive and academic functioning in order to qualify students for accommodations under the American's with Disabilities Education Act. Neuropsychology Assessment Service can provide an evaluation that will satisfy college requirements for accommodations and make recommendations to help students with disabilities enjoy a reasonable chance for academic success.Stroke/ Cerebrovascular Injury
A stroke is to the brain as a heart attack is to the heart; it can be considered a "brain attack." When a stroke occurs, a specific area of the brain fails to receive sufficient blood supply resulting in possible damage to the area of the brain served by the obstructed artery. Stroke is a serious condition and can be life-threatening. Physical and cognitive problems can occur following stroke including motor dysfunction on the side of the body contra-lateral to the stroke. Other common problems are language and communication disorders, visual disturbances, attention impairments, memory disturbance, and depression. Neuropsychological evaluation following stroke can help identify strengths and deficits; explain how location of the stroke has caused the physical, cognitive and emotional changes; make rehabilitation and treatment recommendations; and monitor progress over time.Memory Disorders and Dementia
Relatives and friends are often the first to become concerned when memory problems appear more serious than what is typically associated with aging. Individuals affected by dementia are typically aware of a problem but may go to great lengths to hide their condition. Encouragment is often needed to gently persuade a family member to be evaluated. Differential diagnosis of dementia is necessary because some reversible conditions such as Normal Pressure Hydrocephalus, can mimic symptoms of cortical dementia such as Alzhiemer's Disease.Preoperative Psychological Evaluations for Bariatric Surgical Candidates
Bariatric surgical candidates are often required to undergo presurgical mental health evaluations. Those typically conducted by Neuropsychology Assessment Service include evaluation of a client's capacity for making medical decisions on their own behalf; assessment of risk factors including prior mental health issues and substance abuse disorders; and capacity for understanding and following post-surgical requirements and restrictions. Additionally, recommendations regarding current and post-operative mental health needs are made.
Please feel free to contact us with any questions regarding services offered.
Copyright 2010 Neuropsychology Assessment Service. All rights reserved.
110 Painters Mill Rd., Ste. 23
Owings Mills, MD 21117
ph: 410-356-3383
fax: 410-356-3376
drrobert
