How is neuropsychological testing different from a neurological examination?
In general, a neurological examination is completed by a medical doctor (i.e. a neurologist) and the purpose of such an evaluation is to rule out more serious, underlying medical or neurological conditions, which might be accounting for your child’s academic or social problems (i.e. such a Epilepsy). Typically, neurological examinations are aimed at examining and measuring gross neurological functions, such as reflexes, muscle strength, and sensory / motor functioning. Also, neurologists can order, when indicated, diagnostic tests such as EEG’s or MRI’s. In contrast, neuropsychological testing is performed by a qualified psychologist and tends to measure detailed “higher cortical” functions, such as attention, planning, reasoning, memory, language, and academic functioning. Neither examination is better; they just have a different emphasis. I believe both are appropriate in many situations.
