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Neuropsychological Evaluation & Intervention for Student Athletes
What is a neuropsychological evaluation?
Neuropsychological evaluation is an assessment of how one's brain functions, which tells a coach how to help an athlete focus, organize thoughts, remember information, and perform to the best of their ability. The neuropsychological evaluation involves an interview and the administration of tests. The tests are typically pencil and paper type tests. A neuropsychological assessment also examines depression and anxiety, along with personality factors that may or may not contribute towards success.
For student athletes, testing shows:
- Is there ADD or another learning problem?
- How does the athlete express depression and anxiety?
- How will a coach know the first signs than an athlete is struggling before a problem emerges?
- How to help an athlete perform up to their talent level and beyond, given personality and brain function
- How to teach the athlete to manage performance anxiety
- How to work on team dynamic, based on personality
- Determine personal needs of the athlete for positive regard, support, independence, etc.
- Examine substance use issues and risk factors
- Examine potential for impulsive behavior
Student-Athlete related interventions: Individual and group sessions focus on:
- Performance enhancement
- Anxiety management
- Understanding how your body expresses depression and anxiety; this is individual to each person
- Addressing substance use issues, combativeness, discipline issues, impulsive behaviors
- Addressing team dynamic
- Self-care
- Improve focus and other brain functions