Adult Neuropsychological Evaluation After Brain Injury

Most people recover from a mild concussion within weeks. Some don't. They lose their train of thought mid-sentence, reread the same email three times, run out of energy by mid-afternoon, or snap at people in a way that isn't like them. Often a spouse or coworker notices first.

Brain scans after these injuries are often normal, which can leave people feeling doubted. A neuropsychological evaluation measures the thinking skills those complaints point to and compares them with what is expected for the person's age and background. It turns "I'm not myself" into specific, documented findings.

Who This Evaluation Is For

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion
Motor vehicle collisions
Workplace or school-related injuries
Medical malpractice
Toxin exposure

Changes People Often Notice

After a brain injury, people commonly report problems with:

Memory for recent conversations, appointments or reading
Attention and concentration, especially with noise or interruptions
Slower thinking and slower work
Finding the right word
Planning, multitasking and keeping track of steps
Mood: irritability, anxiety or low mood
Fatigue and headaches that make everything harder

Testing helps separate the effects of the injury from other things that affect thinking, such as pain, poor sleep, stress, or problems that were already there before the injury.

How the Evaluation Works

Phase I: Baseline and background

Understanding how you were functioning before the injury is the starting point. This covers:

Work history and responsibilities
Home functioning and daily activities
Social engagement
Medical history and health before the injury
Developmental history

Phase II: A full day of in-person testing

Standardized neuropsychological tests of cognitive ability, memory, attention, executive functioning, language, fine motor skills, and emotional and behavioral functioning.

Phase III: Feedback, records and report

Test results are reviewed together with medical records, and a detailed written report covers the findings, the likely causes, the prognosis, and recommended rehabilitation.

Evaluations in Personal Injury Cases

Dr. Tutty has completed more than 535 neuropsychological evaluations of adults involved in personal injury litigation, many involving traumatic brain injury. Each evaluation is built to be independent and objective. It addresses the person's functioning before the event, the areas of impairment and resilience afterward, the likely causes of current problems, and future needs for care. Reports are written for counsel, the court and rehabilitation providers, and Dr. Tutty provides deposition and trial testimony when needed.

Attorneys can read more on the Aspyre Psychology personal injury evaluation page.

Please note: Adult evaluations in this practice focus on brain injury and personal injury matters, and are limited to evaluation and related consultation, not ongoing treatment. If your question is different, the free consultation will tell you whether this is the right fit.

Common Questions

My MRI was normal. Can an evaluation still find problems?

Yes. Scans show the structure of the brain; neuropsychological tests measure how it is working. Many people with real changes in memory, attention or speed after a brain injury have normal imaging.

How long after an injury should testing be done?

It depends on the injury and the reason for testing. The timing is something to discuss during the consultation, along with your medical records.

Is the evaluation independent?

Yes. Personal injury evaluations are designed to be objective, whichever side requests them, so that the connection between the injury and any disability is understood accurately.

Do you provide treatment after the evaluation?

No. In personal injury matters, services are limited to the evaluation and related consultation. The report recommends evidence-based treatment that other providers can carry out.