Frequently Asked Questions

People are referred to us for many reasons, including:

• Concerns about attention, memory, thinking, or changes in behavior
• Monitoring changes from a diagnosed condition, such as Alzheimer's disease, a neurodevelopmental disorder, or traumatic brain injury
• Understanding support needs for everyday activities and independent living
• Understanding day-to-day functional abilities
• Developing strategies to improve areas that are challenging

A neuropsychological evaluation examines thinking skills and their relationship to daily functioning. Depending on the referral questions, it may assess attention, memory, language, visual-spatial skills, motor skills, and planning and problem-solving. Interviews, relevant records, behavioral observations, and standardized tests help us understand the findings in context.

The evaluation can help clarify diagnostic questions and guide recommendations. Test scores alone do not establish a diagnosis or predict exactly how a condition will change over time.

A clinical neuropsychologist is a psychologist with specialized training in brain-behavior relationships. Preparation includes doctoral education, clinical internship, and advanced training in neuropsychology, typically a two-year postdoctoral fellowship. Independent practice requires appropriate licensure.

Psychologists in several specialties provide testing, and psychological and neuropsychological evaluations can overlap. The distinction is the clinician's specialty training and the questions being addressed. Neuropsychologists interpret cognitive, emotional, and behavioral findings in the context of neurological, medical, developmental, and psychological history.

At NeuroWest, Michael Arnatt, PsyD, is the supervising clinical neuropsychologist. Olivia Wilkerson, PsyD, is a postdoctoral fellow completing specialty training under his supervision. Read about our clinicians and their training.

An evaluation generally includes an intake and a testing appointment. A feedback session is also available:

• An intake where background information will be gathered, which will generally last one hour.
• A testing appointment in our Anchorage office, scheduled from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, though many people finish sooner.
• An optional feedback appointment to discuss findings and recommendations, generally about one hour.

At present, we do not provide services for medicolegal or forensic evaluations, whether court-ordered or otherwise.

We are at 3500 LaTouche St., Suite 250, on the second floor of the LaTouche Professional Center, next to the main waiting area. See our Contact page for a map and directions.

Testing involves activities such as answering questions, remembering information, solving problems, and completing paper-and-pencil or computer tasks. Some tasks draw on skills you already have; others involve new information. There is nothing to study beforehand. Please give your best effort and let us know if you need a break or have difficulty seeing, hearing, or understanding instructions.

We select standardized measures based on the referral questions, your age, history, and individual needs. The selection may change as the evaluation progresses. Results are interpreted using appropriate comparison data and the other information gathered during the evaluation.

Please plan for testing from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, with a one-hour lunch break at noon, unless your appointment instructions say otherwise. Many people finish sooner. The time needed depends on the questions being addressed and individual needs. We can provide an updated estimate as testing progresses.

Getting a full night's rest the night before testing is important, and this is especially true for children and teens. Bring snacks or drinks if helpful. Please do not discontinue any medications unless told to do so by your prescribing provider. If you have concerns about sleep apnea, please make sure they are being actively addressed with your provider.

A copy of your report is sent to the referring provider. You will also receive a copy, or it will be provided to an authorized representative when appropriate. We handle records in accordance with applicable privacy laws.

If you would like a report sent to someone else, please contact us. We will obtain written authorization when required. Some disclosures are permitted or required by law without authorization. Our Forms page includes a Release of Information form.

An optional feedback appointment provides time to discuss the findings, any diagnostic conclusions, and recommendations, and to ask questions. Please contact us if you would like to arrange a feedback session.