Neuropsychological assessment and stimulation
Neuropsychology
When is it advisable to have an assessment carried out?
Neuropsychology studies the relationship between the brain and behaviour, analysing how certain brain abnormalities can manifest themselves in cognition, emotion and behaviour.
How?
Our key tool is the neuropsychological assessment. This process takes place over several sessions. We begin with a detailed clinical interview and a review of any previous reports (if available). Based on this information, we design a personalised assessment plan using standardised tests that enable us to measure and quantify various cognitive processes.
After analysing the results, we draw conclusions that help us understand each person’s performance profile and tailor our support precisely.
When a person notices that their cognitive functioning or performance has changed significantly compared to their previous level or what is expected for their age. We assess functions such as:
Attention
Memory
Executive functions
Processing speed
Language
Visuospatial skills
Neuropsychology at INTRA-TP
At INTRA-TP, we take an integrated approach. Many of our patients experience emotional difficulties that may coexist with neuropsychological disorders; therefore, understanding both aspects is essential for a comprehensive treatment programme.
Furthermore, as we specialise in trauma and dissociation, the neuropsychological approach helps us to distinguish between symptoms that can be confusing and to gain a clearer understanding of what is happening in each case.
Who do we work with?
We work with people from childhood through to old age, tailoring both our assessments and interventions to each stage of development.
Where appropriate, we also offer neuropsychological stimulation and rehabilitation services aimed at enhancing preserved functions, compensating for difficulties, promoting independence and improving quality of life.
Neuropsychology enables us to understand a person’s overall functioning and to design tailored, individualised and evidence-based interventions.
Assessment of a child’s neuropsychological profile
This service provides a specialist assessment of the support needs of children aged between 6 and 12, with the aim of gaining a detailed and comprehensive understanding of their cognitive functioning and neuropsychological profile. Where appropriate, this assessment enables us to draw up a guidance plan for subsequent therapeutic, educational or support interventions, always tailored to the individual characteristics of each child.
The assessment facilitates the identification of strengths and areas of difficulty that may be influencing different aspects of the child’s life, such as academic performance, behaviour, emotional self-regulation, autonomy, or adaptation to the family and school environment. To this end, different domains of neuropsychological functioning are analysed in an integrated manner, paying particular attention to general cognitive abilities, attentional processes and executive functions—key skills for learning, planning, cognitive flexibility and appropriate developmental progress.
The assessment is based on the use of standardised and validated tests, which provide objective and comparable measurements. The main areas assessed include attention, memory, cognitive flexibility, phonological and semantic fluency, and working memory, amongst other executive functions.
The tools commonly used are:
Wechsler Intelligence Scale for Children – Version 5 (WISC-V)
Neuropsychological Assessment of Executive Functions in Children (ENFEN)
Brief Neuropsychological Assessment of Attention and Memory (NEUROPSI)
Revised Differences Perception Test (CARAS-R)
d2-R Attention Test
The process begins with a comprehensive clinical interview with the parents, aimed at gathering relevant information about the child’s developmental progress, their family and school environment, and the parents’ main concerns. This is followed by the administration of standardised tests, and finally, the report is presented and discussed, during which the results are clearly explained and specific guidance is provided regarding potential intervention.
Neuropsychological assessment in adults
A neuropsychological assessment is a specialised clinical process that enables the analysis of an adult’s cognitive, emotional and behavioural functioning. Through a comprehensive evaluation, abilities such as memory, attention, language, executive functions and processing speed are examined, with the aim of understanding any potential cognitive changes and guiding the development of an appropriate intervention plan.
This service is particularly recommended for complaints of memory problems, difficulties concentrating, suspected cognitive decline, neurological damage, neurodegenerative processes, or to establish a baseline for cognitive functioning.
The neuropsychological assessment is carried out through a structured process comprising a clinical interview, professional observation and the administration of scientifically validated standardised tests. The process begins with an initial information-gathering session, during which the clinical interview is conducted and the patient’s personal, medical and cognitive history is reviewed. Subsequently, the assessment usually takes place over 3 or 4 additional sessions, tailored to each person’s pace and needs, in order to ensure a thorough assessment without causing undue fatigue.
Among the most commonly used tools are:
Cognitive screening tests: Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) or the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA).
Memory tests: Spanish-Complutense Verbal Learning Test (TAVEC) or the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test.
Attention and processing speed tests: Trail Making Test (TMT) or Symbol-Digit Memory Test (SDMT)
Language tests: Boston Naming Test or semantic and phonological verbal fluency tasks.
Executive function tests: Stroop Test, Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) or tasks assessing planning and cognitive flexibility.
Visuospatial and constructive function tests: copying and recall of the Rey Complex Figure or other perceptual tasks.
Emotional and behavioural questionnaires: to assess anxiety, mood or functional impact on daily life.
Once the assessment process has been completed, a comprehensive neuropsychological report is produced, clearly and comprehensively detailing the results obtained in each area assessed, the clinical interpretation of the data, the individual’s cognitive profile, preliminary diagnostic conclusions, and personalised recommendations for the patient and their family and carers. Along with the delivery of the report, the patient is entitled to a 30-minute explanatory consultation during which the results are reviewed, any queries are addressed, and guidance is provided on the most appropriate therapeutic or preventive steps.
Neuropsychological stimulation
Cognitive stimulation consists of a range of therapeutic activities designed to maintain, enhance or rehabilitate cognitive abilities. Its main aim is to promote personal independence, improve quality of life and slow down any potential cognitive decline.
In the case of adults, the intervention focuses in particular on:Entrenamiento de memoria y atención.
Improving executive functions as applied to daily life.
Temporal and spatial orientation.
Compensatory strategies for everyday difficulties.
Promoting active participation and emotional well-being.
The sessions are tailored to the individual’s cognitive profile, as determined by the neuropsychological assessment, enabling a personalised, functional approach that focuses on each person’s actual needs.