What Does My Neuropsychology Report Mean?
Your neuropsychology report might include words that are unfamiliar. This guide explains some of the common terms in simple, everyday language to help you understand what they mean.
Attention and Concentration
This is about how well you can focus on something, stay focused, and shift your attention when needed. It’s like your brain’s ability to “tune in” and stay on task.
Divided Attention
This means doing more than one thing at the same time—like listening to someone while writing something down. It shows how well your brain can manage two tasks at once.
Verbal Intelligence
This refers to what you’ve learned through life and education, especially using language. It helps give an idea of how your brain worked before any illness or injury.
Visuospatial Skills and Non-Verbal Reasoning
These are your brain’s visual and problem-solving abilities. They don’t rely on words. They show how well you can understand shapes, patterns, and space.
Working Memory and Mental Flexibility
- Working Memory is like a mental sticky note. It helps you hold and use information for a short time—like remembering a phone number long enough to dial it.
- Mental Flexibility is your ability to switch between tasks or ideas, like changing plans when something unexpected happens.
Anterograde Memory
This is your ability to learn and remember new things. It includes remembering things you hear (like names) and things you see (like faces or places).
Language Function
This includes how easily you can find the right words, speak clearly, and understand what others are saying. A speech and language therapist may also help assess this.
Verbal Fluency
This is how easily and quickly you can come up with words. For example, naming as many animals as you can in one minute. It shows how well your brain can find and use words.
Processing Speed
This is how quickly your brain can take in and respond to information. It’s like how fast your brain’s “engine” runs when doing tasks.
Psychomotor Speed
This is how quickly your brain can send signals to your body to move. For example, how fast you can press a button when you see a light.
Executive Function
These are your brain’s “manager” skills. They help you plan, stay organised, solve problems, and control your behaviour. These skills are important for everyday life.
Percentiles
These show how your scores compare to other people of a similar age. For example, if you’re in the 60th percentile, it means you did better than 60 out of 100 people.
Extra Terms You Might See in Your Report
These terms may appear in your neuropsychology report or be mentioned during your assessment. Here’s what they mean in simple language.
Cognitive Functioning
A general term for how well your brain is working in areas like memory, attention, language, and problem-solving.
Insight
How well someone understands their own condition or difficulties. For example, whether they are aware of changes in their memory or thinking.
Judgement
Your ability to make good decisions and understand the consequences of your actions.
Mood and Affect
- Mood is your emotional state over time (e.g. feeling low or anxious).
- Affect is how your emotions appear to others (e.g. flat, tearful, or cheerful).
Fatigue
Mental tiredness that can affect thinking, memory, and concentration. It’s common after brain injury or illness.
Confabulation
When someone unintentionally fills in memory gaps with made-up or incorrect information. They’re not lying—they believe it’s true.
Perseveration
Repeating the sam word, idea, or action even when it’s no longer helpful. This can happen after brain injury.
Inhibition
Inhibition is the ability to stop yourself from doing or saying something that might not be appropriate or helpful. It helps you pause and think before acting. If someone has difficulties with inhibition, they might act or speak without thinking, which can lead to impulsive behaviour.
Concrete Thinking
Thinking in a very literal way. People with this difficulty may struggle with jokes, metaphors, or abstract ideas.
Abstract Reasoning
Your ability to understand complex ideas, spot patterns, and think about things that aren’t directly in front of you. It’s important for problem-solving and flexible thinking.
Orientation
Being aware of time, place, and person. For example, knowing the date, where you are, and who you’re with.
Sensory-Motor Function
How well your brain and body work together to control movement and respond to touch or other sensations.
Lateralisation
Which side of the brain is more active or responsible for certain tasks. For example, in right-handed people language is usually controlled by the left side of the brain.
Dysexecutive
A group of difficulties linked to problems with executive function. It can include poor planning, impulsivity, trouble switching tasks, and difficulty managing emotions.
Functional Impact
How your cognitive difficulties affect your everyday life—like work, relationships, or daily tasks.
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