A referral for a clinical neuropsychological assessment is appropriate whenever there is doubt about a patient’s cognitive functioning. Neuropsychologists assess a broad range of cognitive domains, not just memory. Neuropsychological assessment can detect pathological processes before structural abnormalities are observable on neuroimaging and in cases where no abnormalities can be visualized. Our approach is to provide diagnostic support and practical feedback to help adult and juvenile patients resolve current functioning difficulties. Our mission is to capitalize on personal strengths and empower each individual with the knowledge and tools needed to live a fulfilling and successful life. We work closely with the patient and family and collaborate with the referring provider, medical care team, and other professionals in the community to ensure the highest quality of care.

Accommodations are alterations in the way tasks are presented that allow individuals with academic and/or learning difficulties to complete the same assignments as others. Accommodations do not alter the content of assignments, give individuals an unfair advantage, or, in the case of standardized tests, change what the test measures. Accommodations offer an opportunity for an individual to properly demonstrate their aptitude in what they have learned (e.g., on standardized tests).

In order to be considered for academic accommodations, testing agencies have a complex set of requirements that must be met. Most agencies require a current comprehensive neuropsychological/psychoeducational evaluation in which specific tests are administered, normed according to their guidelines, and reported in a format they may specify. Neuropsychological assessment identifies the strengths and weaknesses of the student using a number of systematic standardized measures that assess for intellect, cognition, academic achievement, social-emotional, behavioral, and adaptive functioning. It is the comprehensiveness of a neuropsychological evaluation assessment that is crucial in understanding the individual’s unique abilities in order to identify appropriate and reasonable interventions, and evidence-based accommodations.

The neuropsychologists at CFNA have extensive experience in documenting the existence of learning disabilities, and/or neurological conditions for accommodations in traditional academic settings, as well as for high-stakes standardized examinations (e.g., LSAT, MCAT). CFNA provides evaluations for individuals (ages 16+) who have been diagnosed with, or suspect, ADHD, specific learning disorders, acquired brain injury, or complex psychiatric mental health and/or medical issues that may interfere with optimal functioning in academic settings.

Depending on diagnosis(es), an individual may be eligible for one or more of the following test accommodations in the following categories:

1. Presentation: Large print; reduced number of items per page or per line; having the test questions and instructions read aloud; repetition of instructions.
2. Response: Allowing for verbal responses; allowing for answers to be dictated to a scribe, to speech-to-text software, or to a tape recorder; allowing a computer to be used for responses (with or without spell check or grammar programs).
3. Time: Allowing frequent breaks; extending allotted time to complete a test.
4. Location: Providing special lighting or acoustics (e.g., noise cancelling headphones); providing a space that minimizes distractions; minimizing the number of other people in the room; giving preferential seating.
5. Scheduling: Allowing subtests to be taken in a different order; administering a test at a specific time of day; allowing different sections to be taken on different days
6. Other: Accommodations may include special test preparation, allowing food/snacks during test or at breaks, offering on-task/focusing prompts, as well as any reasonable accommodation that may best meet the needs of the individual.

A Fitness for Duty Evaluation (FFDE) is an examination conducted by a qualified healthcare provider to determine whether an employee or prospective employee is fit (physically, mentally or emotionally) to perform essential job functions. A neuropsychological and/or psychodiagnostic evaluation is often requested by employers, or government agencies, to determine whether an employee is able to perform the essential job functions of their position safely (without risk to himself, herself or others), with or without an accommodation. Employers rely on the results of a fitness for duty evaluation to make decisions regarding accommodations, work assignments, location placement, and the appropriateness of a particular position for an employee.

Currently, Dr. Mangassarian assist actors and writers with character, story, and script creation for film and television by offering psychological consultation. She collaborates with actors and screenwriters in a variety of ways, such as providing psycho-education about the nature of mental illnesses and help actors use this knowledge to add subtleties to their performances, creating believable and authentic characters. Similar to this, Dr. Mangassarian works with authors by providing psycho-education about the nature of particular psychological problems and mental health disorders as well as advice on how to use these concepts to create stories or characters.