Neuropsych testing
 

Hi everyone,
Yesterday, I learned much more about why I have so much difficulty with my hearing though I have no loss of hearing that requires hearing aids. Because it is Central Auditory Processing Disorder(CAPD). you can read my entry that I posted yesterday about it. Something I learned I had two years ago, but the evaluation I had showed in depth what is some of the real problem.
Though I am learning all this in my mid forties and it makes me feel sad of the loss of years of not knowing. It makes me want to know more about how my brain affects other areas of my learning and comprehending information.

So I want to know a few things, I am hopeful soemone here can help me with.
1) what is involved with doing neuropsych testing?
2)How long does it take?
3) would that be the testing to help me?
4) Would my Epileptologist be the one to recommend it?
5) Does anyone know if it is covered by insurance and if not how much it cost?
Lastly, do those in my age bracket who have had it , feel it would help or not?

My reguest is when answering, would you please answer these in not one long paragraph as I loose what is being said and answered.

I really have one other question for anyone who does have CAPD
How do you explain to others of your hearing impairment to help them know?

Thanks ahead for all or any part of these questions you answer. Much appreciated.
Blessings of Peace,

Hi I'm going to try and answer your questions. I'm going to number the
answers.

1. The neuro. Psycho is a battery of test. done by a specialist more
so of the brain more than just a psychologist that does testing such
as for the schools, to determine if a student has disabilities. But the
testing is to determine what kind of problems you have in say reading,
math, writing, cognitively, sensory, just about anyway you would learn
would be on the test.

2. The amount of time it takes. Its a test that is usually broken up
in days test. Sometimes it can be administered in one long day. It takes
at the minimum I believe about 5 hours. But I've heard of people taking it for
over 6 or 8. So I know of people that have to go 3 different times, for say 3 hours a day. WIth breaks in their time.

3. You are honestly the only one that can answer if the testing would be of help to you. But its according to what you want the testing for.
IF you are thinking about having surgery. The testing would be good for you, because it tells you what side of the brain certain things happen on, such as reading, and talking, things like this. Or if you are going to college.

4. About insurance, most insurance will cover percentages of it. You would have to call and ask. Its according to how its billed usually I think. THis too I think has to do with how your epitiologist bills it.

I have never had the testing. And don't know anyone personally close enough to say anything personal about it.

I'm a parent advocate, and I've wished my own son had gotten this done.
But so far its been considered not necessary.

He is 15.

DOnna

Hi Cedar,

Neuropsych testing involves short term memory tests, math, reading, writing, and speech. The test will show which side of the brain you are using the most and if you score above average, average or below average in certain areas.

My insurance has always covered it 100% after my epi requested that it be done.

I found the test to be a great help to me as to why my short term memory wasn't so good and if I was under a lot of stress.

The test took about 2 hrs. for me.

Here's wishing you well and May God Bless You!

Sue

Hi Cedar - I think each hospital or doctor involved has a very different way of administering a neuropsych test.
I was given the test twice, once before surgery and again, 6 months after surgery.

1) what is involved with doing neuropsych testing?
Like the others said, the test involved math, reading, short term memory, puzzles, almost fun things.

2)How long does it take? Both of mine took about 4 1/2 hours each. An email friend of mine also took one given by a hospital and hers took 8 hours with two hours of home work.

3) would that be the testing to help me? I am confident that my testing gave my epi and my surgeon a great deal of help by telling them what my brain was doing. I do not see how the test helped me.

4) Would my Epileptologist be the one to recommend it? I do not know the answer to that

5) Does anyone know if it is covered by insurance and if not how much it cost? Our common HMO paid for 100% for both of mine and the charge was $1,400 each.

Lastly, do those in my age bracket who have had it , feel it would help or not?
I'm almost 20 years older than you and my surgeon insisted it was necessary and now he's saying I need it again. I trust him completely.

This url "might" offer some information. http://www.brainsource.com/npassmnt.htm

I wish you the very best.

Hi Cedar,

I had neuropsych testing done prior to surgery. My testing was done at the same time I was in the hospital for a VEEG which made it a particularly stressful event for me. My testing lasted for two days, 8 hours apiece.
Like others I was tested on math skills, reading, puzzles, short and not so short term memory (I would read or the test administrator would read a story to me several times and then quiz me on it later, sometimes several hours later or even the following day to see what I could remember). I took an IQ test, ink blot tests, there were even spacial puzzles with blocks. Some of it struck me as really strange.
I recall getting really frustrated with the math questions (never was my strong suit) and the reading tests seemed so silly going over them so many times and yet I couldn't remember the answer when she asked me the question later on (again I was testing while I was in for a 5 day VEEG also, so I was already sleep deprived and seizing). All in all it was a really interesting experience. I even got a copy of my report of findings and still have it. Interesting reading. I did the test again one year post-op as a comparison.
Oh, and neuropsych testing doesn't tell you which side of the brain things happen on, just how well you do at them. The WADA tells you what side the activity comes from. Now there's a cool test..

stef
I don't remember a whole lot about what my insurance covered but I think it covered the testing pretty well.