Clinical Neuropsychologist | South Florida
Neuropsychological Testing
Objective Cognitive Evaluation for Brain Function
Measuring the Mechanics of the Brain
Neuropsychological testing assesses the brain’s functioning. Dr. Brooks utilizes objective measures to evaluate memory, language processing, visuospatial skills, and executive functions. This process identifies exactly how a person’s cognitive system handles complex tasks. It moves beyond subjective reporting to provide empirical data.
Every evaluation is tailored to the individual’s specific needs. For some, the goal is to identify a baseline after an injury or illness. For others, the work involves uncovering the cause of memory loss or cognitive decline. Common diagnoses that Dr. Brooks works with include Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson's disease, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, concussion, multiple sclerosis, stroke, epilepsy, and other forms of dementia.
Dr. Brooks provides a roadmap for rehabilitation or enhanced quality of life for patients and their families. This clarity allows for targeted interventions and long-term treatment planning.
Cognitive Assessment
Dr. Brooks tests the functional "hardware" of the brain. This includes IQ testing, language processing, visuospatial skills, attention, and executive functions such as planning, organization, and impulse control.
Memory & Processing Speed
Dr. Brooks uses specialized tasks to measure how you encode, store, and retrieve information. He also measures processing speed to determine how efficiently the brain handles complex or timed information.
Performance Validity Testing
A critical component of the process is the use of validity measures. These are refined protocols that ensure results accurately reflect the actual ability to provide a defensible data set.
Frequently asked questions
Why is this recommended if an MRI was already completed?
An MRI shows the brain’s physical structure. Dr. Brooks’ testing shows the brain’s actual function. An individual can have a normal MRI but still suffer from significant cognitive impairment that only functional testing reveals.
Is the process different for ADHD testing?
Yes. Dr. Brooks uses a different battery of tests to address ADHD to determine if there are emotional or environmental issues that may be contributing to inattention.
How does Dr. Brooks measure "brain fog" or cognitive decline after an illness or injury?
Dr. Brooks uses objective psychometric testing to quantify cognitive deficits. Unlike subjective self-reporting, these tests measure actual performance in memory, processing speed, and executive function against databases of age-matched healthy peers to determine if a true impairment exists
Can Dr. Brooks detect "malingering" or exaggerated symptoms?
Dr. Brooks utilizes Performance Validity Testing within every evaluation. These measures detect whether an individual is providing full effort or if results are influenced by external factors. This ensures the data is scientifically and legally sound.
What is the benefit of a baseline evaluation for athletes?
A baseline assessment establishes a healthy data set for an athlete’s cognitive function. If a concussion occurs later, Dr. Brooks compares post-injury scores to the baseline. This determines exactly when it is safe to return to play