Our Services

Neuropsychological Evaluations

Iowa Neuropsychology Center offers comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations for adults and older adults ages 18 and older. These evaluations go beyond a brief cognitive screening, using standardized assessments to provide an in-depth, objective understanding of your cognitive strengths and areas of difficulty and help clarify possible causes of cognitive difficulties.

The process includes an interview with you and a family member or someone who knows you well, such as a spouse, adult child, caregiver, or trusted friend. You then complete standardized tests and activities that assess your thinking skills, followed by a feedback session to explain your findings and what they mean for your everyday life.

Areas assessed include:

  • Attention and Processing Speed

  • Language Skills

  • Learning and Memory

  • Visuospatial Skills

  • Executive Functions (problem-solving, organizing)

  • Fine-Motor Skills

  • Emotional and Behavioral Functioning

Recommendations and Next Steps: At the conclusion of your evaluation, you will receive personalized recommendations discussed during your feedback session and included in your written report. These include brain-based strategies to support your thinking skills and resources to help you manage everyday challenges. When appropriate, we also recommend referrals for ongoing support, such as neurology, rehabilitation (physical, occupational, or speech therapy), behavioral health (psychologists, therapists, social workers), or sleep medicine.

Our Process:

1. Intake Interview

During the intake interview, you will meet with Dr. Lehr to discuss your concerns and any changes you’ve noticed. He will also gather relevant background information, including medical, family, and educational history. Please bring a close family member, friend, or caregiver to be present during this portion.

2. Testing

During the testing portion, you will spend several hours with Dr. Lehr completing activities designed to assess a range of thinking skills and better understand your cognitive functioning. These activities include paper-and-pencil or computerized tests and answering questions.

3. Feedback

After testing is completed, you will receive a comprehensive written report and meet with Dr. Lehr to discuss your results and personalized recommendations. This discussion will help you understand what the findings mean for your daily life and guide next steps, including treatment or additional support when appropriate.

Common Diagnoses

  • Mild neurocognitive disorder, sometimes called mild cognitive impairment (MCI), involves changes in memory or other thinking skills that are greater than expected with normal aging, while independence in everyday activities is maintained, although tasks may require more effort. A neuropsychological evaluation helps identify the pattern and extent of these changes, clarify possible contributing factors, and establish a baseline for monitoring over time.

  • Major neurocognitive disorder (dementia) involves a decline in memory or other thinking skills that interferes with independence in everyday activities, such as managing medications, finances, or appointments. A neuropsychological evaluation helps clarify the pattern and severity of these changes and their possible causes, while guiding recommendations for care, safety, and support for patients and their families.

  • Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) involves persistent difficulties with attention and/or hyperactivity and impulsivity that begin in childhood and interfere with daily functioning. A neuropsychological evaluation gathers background information, including developmental history, and reviews current symptoms, while also examining other factors that can affect attention (e.g., sleep difficulties, anxiety, stress, etc.) to help clarify what may be contributing to your concerns and guide personalized recommendations.

  • Anxiety and depression can affect emotional well-being, thinking skills, and everyday functioning. Persistent worry or low mood may make it harder to concentrate, remember information, stay organized, or engage with others. A neuropsychological evaluation considers these symptoms alongside your history and cognitive abilities to help clarify whether emotional difficulties are contributing to your concerns, occurring in response to other challenges, or both, and guide personalized recommendations for care and support.