Neuropsychologist?

[ku111]

Anybody ever seen one?  What do they do?  Wants Jordan to see one for short term memory problems.  

[ku111]

Rendean-Thanks!  Good to know info.  I know something is just not right.  This goes in spurts.  I know this sounds strange and maybe it is all that is bothering him but Jordan has become withdrawn again, like HIS personality is just not there then he is just back.  Just like that.  I asked the Neuro if this is like a brain injury because I have had a few in my nursing career and that's what this seems like.  Not really behavioral.  So hard to explain.  But, I can feel it.  I'll bet he won't remember much of this last couple of days.  After these little episodes and he is back to normal, you say you've been kinda quiet and not really very nice and he looks at you like you are the one that is crazy.  My husband and I agree on the behavior.  My parents saw the change this weekend.  They said he is just not himself.  All the Neuro said "well, it's not the same brain injury as if someone took a hammer to the head".  Ok, then what is this then?  It's like he is going through the motions but not really here.  Gosh, I know this sounds wierd.  I don't know if this is "the fog" that is said here sometimes.  It doesn't last long, maybe a few days, every couple of months.  Had several bad headaches last week.  It's a hard balance as a parent to set rules but to try and understand.  We are trying.

[rendean]

The neuro-psych testing is tiring and can be somewhat stressful. I have had 3 done.  I didn't really see anyone post on exactly what they do.

They will ask Jordan to name objects, copy drawings they show him from memory, tell a list of items and see how many he can remember, have him "connect the dots" in specific patterns of their design, tell him stories and see how many of the details he can remember, etc. They may also give him "blocks" from which they want him to make a certain design.

The testing isn't hard , but can get stressful at the end of the day. I would hope that they would break his testing up into more than one session and if they do not, ask if it's possible if you believe it will be in Jordan's best interest.

Thinking of you both,
Ren

[SarahL2491]

egads I have to stay off my phone to text, meant MS not MA and guess one can figure out the rest of my screw ups!

Since dawn comes at 4AM, always a rude thing, i won't be up late tonight, groceries in but not put away,

Am hoping the best for Jordan's testing.  I have never had this done but hear good things about it.  We'll all be pulling for you!

[Sailorsong]

Thanks for the wildlife report. Yes 61 is wonderful whether. I keep my bedroom at 65 24/7 as that is my ideal temperature.

Dennis

[ku111]

SarahL2491 you feel free to get on my thread anytime you want!LOL!  I always like to hear what you have to say!

I do hope this appointment with Neuropsych does something.  Anything to help Jordan is great!  I was a little skeptical but we feel so much better about all of this now.  So, thank you!

Dennis-maybe this will be it for us too!  I do hope you are doing ok.

[SarahL2491]

Egads
Didn't mean to get into this thread, dumb phone is hard to work from, sorry Jordan's mom

[SarahL2491]

2 deer, 2 crow, 1 ferrel cat and one osprey nest
Rained last three days so probably low wildlife count

Am very tired and MA is kicking butt, my right leg is in permanent foot drag mode bug can now relax and rest, temp is 61, my kind of weather but sun is coming out.  Apples are just now blooming,
Garden to plan

Everyone have a good week. I'm goofing off for a few days

Sarah home in "Gods country" as it's affectionately called

[Sailorsong]

When is Jordon scheduled for the test? I hope it will be sooner than later. I know at least in my case it was my NeuroPsych test that finally got my MS DX instead of the probable MS.

Dennis

[ku111]

Thank you all!  At this last appointment our Neurologist saw Jordan less humorous and less focused (so glad he saw this).  I said this is only getting worse.  Jordan is much more frustrated (I can only imagine) and we see his stoic personality and humor less.  He's getting tired of the pains, stiffness and especially the short term memory issues.  I told the Dr. to watch him at this appointment and watch how he is constantly moving.  He does this so he doesn't get stiff.  I also told the Neuro if he blames this on a psych issue (we have never had before) I wouldn't hesitate to fire him (sorry to be harsh but we are to that point of moving this along).  Every time we go the dr's look at him, evaluate and say "yep, no better let's just keep watching".  I am saying "Nope, stop watching and do something".  I am tired of seeing on reports "highly suspected MS, in retrospect this could have been MS episode from the beginning, no improvement, child weak in hands and feet, balance issues, child's humor still somewhat there".  I am hoping this report from Neuropsych gets him the additional help he needs.  Inching forward slowly but surely!

[supermum_ms]

With children, the testing is usually brocken into 2 or 3 sessions, sometimes more, they dont usually run for longer than 2 hours with kids due to the expected distractabilities and fatigue in (NT) children.

"Neuropsychological evaluation (NPE) is a testing method through which a neuropsychologist can acquire data about a subject’s cognitive, motor, behavioral, linguistic, and executive functioning. In the hands of a trained neuropsychologist, these data can provide information leading to the diagnosis of a cognitive deficit or to the confirmation of a diagnosis, as well as to the localization of organic abnormalities in the central nervous system (CNS). The data can also guide effective treatment methods for the rehabilitation of impaired patients."

http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/317596-overview

NPE is useful for measuring many function categories, including the following:

Intellectual functioning
Academic achievement
Language processing
Visuospatial processing
Attention/concentration
Verbal learning and memory
Visual learning and memory
Executive functions
Speed of processing
Sensory-perceptual functions
Motor speed and strength
Motivation/symptom validity
Personality assessment

This site does a pretty good job of explaining it all, well worth reading through it. I've worked for over 20 years with kids who have various cognitive issues, all have been tested to find their strengths and weaknesses, so its rather helpful, imho. The only issue that crops up, seems to be when testing leads no where, so make sure his results are going to lead to relivant services, eg physio, speach therapy, etc. services that will help him now!

If you have any specific educational issues that you'd like some help with, please just ask and i'd be happy to help :o)

Cheers...........JJ

[jensequitur]

A neuropsych exam can pinpoint problems that the patient isn't really aware of - short term memory, attention deficits, etc.  It's good that you get Jordan evaluated, so that you can know what things to work on.

[kwarendorf]

I saw a Neuropsychologist when I was first diagnosed. They deal with all things cognitive. I want to establish a cog baseline and went through a battery of tests. They took about 4 hours. No needles involved. The only sharp thing in the room should be your mind :-)

The entire battery can be tiring and frustrating. Towards the end I was wishing it was over...

Kyle

[Guitar_grrrl]

I haven't, but a number of our forum members have.  I do know the evaluation takes out a good chunk of the day, and folks have had some very good info come from the evaluation.

Hopefully, they'll chime in, here.

[ku111]

Sorry, our Neurologist wants him to see one.