Frequently Asked Questions

What age range does Dr. Howard see?

I specialise in seeing later adolescents/adult populations (16 years+) . However, for some presenting problems, I may see slightly younger children. I am happy to have a phone call with parents to see if I am an appropriate provider for your older child.

Why can’t you give me an accurate estimation for how long a neuropsychological evaluation will take?

Following an interview, I can give a reasonably good estimate of time. However, people go through the testing quicker or slower, and I am also tweaking the testing as we go through, in real time depending on the performances I am seeing. Going either shorter or longer than expected does not always correlate with better or worse performances. But this can make it a bit hard to predict.

Will I get breaks during the day in a neuropsychological evaluation?

Yes! I am always checking in to determine the comfort level of my patients, with as many breaks given as needed. Typically, this will include multiple short breaks and one longer lunch break. I aim to create a comfortable environment for patients to be in. Occasionally, a patient will not be able to tolerate a full day of testing, and so testing can be split into shorter days. It all is based on the comfort of the patient.

Do I need to bring anything to neuropsychological testing?

Mostly just yourself! I encourage patients to wear comfortable clothing, bring a water bottle and snacks if wanted, but everything needed for testing is provided. If you have any specific requirements or accommodations needed, please let me know! If you typically wear glasses or hearing aids, please bring them with you to your appointments.

Is the neuropsychological testing painful or scary in any way?

Often the unknown is a little scary, and it is normal to be a bit nervous before testing or when trying something new. But neuropsychological evaluation is non-invasive. Neuropsychological testing will not involve any physical contact.

Will I undergo any brain scans at this clinic?

No. If you think about brain scans as a tool to look at the structural integrity of your brain, neuropsychological testing is the gold standard tool to look at the functionality of your brain. Both are important and provide different information (i.e., a brain scan can be normal though neuropsychological testing can show cognitive impairments).

I understand that everyone is different and a tailored, individual treatment is important.

Please contact me discuss the best approach for you.