At Chicagoland Neuropsychology, we understand that psychological symptoms can be complex and deeply personal. That’s why we never rely on a “cookie-cutter” battery of tests. Instead, we design each neuropsychological evaluation around you—your unique concerns, your history, and your day-to-day experiences.
Although we can’t tell you exactly what tests you’ll complete ahead of time, we know it’s common to feel curious—or even anxious—about what testing will involve. We offer this overview to help you feel informed and prepared. When you meet with your doctor during your initial one-hour virtual intake session, they’ll discuss the types of tests they’re considering and how they tailor them to your concerns. They’ll also explain how they make sure you understand instructions, feel comfortable during the process, and never feel like you’re just being pushed through a checklist.
Just as importantly, they’ll talk about how we interpret your test results in context—integrating data with your personal experiences, your medical history, and, if you choose, input from someone who knows you well. This is where the real value of a neuropsychological evaluation lies: not just in numbers, but in understanding the full picture of who you are.
What Is a Neuropsychological Evaluation?
A neuropsychological evaluation is a comprehensive assessment of how your brain is functioning across several key areas, including attention, memory, executive functioning, language, and emotional regulation.
We often conduct evaluations for adults who are:
- Struggling with attention or focus (possible ADHD)
- Wondering if long-standing social or sensory differences may be related to autism
- Dealing with chronic worry, restlessness, or panic (anxiety)
- Experiencing sadness, fatigue, or lack of motivation (depression)
- Seeking clarity about past diagnoses—or misdiagnoses
What sets this process apart is that we don’t look at symptoms in isolation. We use carefully selected tests alongside your lived experience, your health and mental health history, and observations from trusted loved ones (if you choose to involve them) to give you answers that are not only accurate—but meaningful.
Types of Tests Used in a Neuropsychological Evaluation
No two people receive the exact same testing. However, here are common categories we use when evaluating ADHD, autism, depression, and anxiety:
Attention and Executive Function Tests
Purpose: Understand your ability to concentrate, manage tasks, and regulate your behavior.
- Sustained Attention and Impulsivity Tests
- Examples: Conners Continuous Performance Test (CPT), Test of Variables of Attention (TOVA)
- Executive Functioning Tests
- Examples: Trail Making Test (TMT), Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST), Tower of London
These tools help determine whether difficulties with organization, forgetfulness, or time management are consistent with ADHD, or possibly linked to mood or anxiety issues instead.
Memory and Learning Tests
Purpose: Evaluate how well you take in, store, and retrieve new information.
- Verbal Memory Tests
- Examples: California Verbal Learning Test (CVLT), Wechsler Memory Scale (WMS)
- Visual Memory Tests
- Example: Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test
Memory difficulties can show up in ADHD, depression, anxiety, or trauma—and each has a different pattern. That’s why context matters so much in interpreting the data.
Language and Social Communication Tests
Purpose: Assess how well you understand and use language in both structured and social settings.
- Verbal Fluency and Naming Tests
- Examples: Boston Naming Test, Controlled Oral Word Association Test (COWAT)
- Social Cognition Measures
- Examples: Reading the Mind in the Eyes Test, NEPSY-II Social Perception tasks
These are especially helpful when exploring signs of autism spectrum disorder, such as challenges with reading social cues, understanding others’ emotions, or expressing yourself clearly.
Emotional and Psychological Assessments
Purpose: Understand your emotional patterns and how they may relate to cognitive concerns.
- Depression and Anxiety Scales
- Examples: Beck Depression Inventory (BDI), Beck Anxiety Inventory (BAI), PHQ-9, GAD-7
- Personality and Coping Style Inventories
- Examples: Minnesota Multiphasic Personality Inventory (MMPI-2), Millon Clinical Multiaxial Inventory (MCMI)
Mood and anxiety symptoms can often mimic or worsen ADHD-like symptoms—so this part of the evaluation is crucial to getting an accurate diagnosis.
Sensory and Behavior Observations
Purpose: Learn about patterns of behavior, sensitivity to sensory input, and functioning in daily life.
- Sensory Processing Questionnaires
- Example: Adult/Adolescent Sensory Profile
- Behavior Rating Scales
- Examples: Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF), Autism Spectrum Rating Scales (ASRS), Conners Adult Rating Scales
We may also ask you to invite a partner, parent, or close friend to complete a brief form describing what they observe in your daily functioning. This helps round out the picture in a way no test alone can do.
Why Integration Matters
Psychological testing is only as valuable as the interpretation. That’s why working with a doctor who takes the time to understand you—not just your scores—is essential.
We don’t just hand over a report and leave you to make sense of it. Your clinician will explain:
- How your test results reflect real-life challenges
- Whether your symptoms best align with ADHD, autism, anxiety, depression, or something else entirely
- How your medical records and life history add context
- How feedback from someone close to you might clarify or reinforce patterns we’re seeing
This kind of integration leads to clearer diagnoses, better treatment plans, and a deeper sense of self-understanding.
The Value of a Neuropsychological Evaluation
When thoughtfully tailored and professionally interpreted, a neuropsychological evaluation can help you:
- Confirm or clarify diagnoses
- Differentiate between overlapping conditions (e.g., ADHD vs. anxiety vs. trauma)
- Access accommodations at school, work, or in therapy
- Begin the right treatment path with confidence
- Let go of doubt and feel seen
And if you’ve spent years wondering why certain things are harder for you than they seem to be for others—testing can be the turning point.
We invite you to take that first step toward clarity. Schedule your initial virtual consultation with Chicagoland Neuropsychology today. We’re here to listen, assess, and walk alongside you every step of the way.
Dr. Colin Brietzke is a licensed clinical psychologist and clinical neuropsychologist with specialized expertise in understanding the connection between brain functioning and behavior. He provides comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations that offer clear diagnoses and practical, actionable recommendations. His training includes master’s degrees in forensic and clinical psychology and a doctorate in clinical psychology with a focus in neuropsychology, along with experience in community mental health, PTSD treatment, forensic settings, and outpatient neuropsychology.
