Assessment Services Help you to understand factors impacting daily functioning Provides treatment recommendations

What We Do

Neuropsychology is a subspecialty of Psychology that focuses on the study of brain – behaviour relationships. The role of a Neuropsychologist is to evaluate a person’s cognitive and emotional functioning, to determine diagnosis, and to provide treatment recommendations.
Dr. Kilgour works collaboratively with a number of other Psychologists within the AVA Psychology Group who provide specialized services.

Services

Neuropsychological Screening / Baseline Assessment

This assessment is appropriate for individuals who wish to document their cognitive abilities in the absence of illness or injury. This assessment may also be used to determine if there are subtle changes in cognitive abilities associated with early disease process or mild injuries.
The results may be used to:
  • Provide a healthy baseline to which to compare possible future brain injury or illness.
  • Monitor changes over time.
  • Detect early changes associated with medical conditions, including dementia.
The assessment process involves and interview and formal testing, which will take approximately three hours. A written summary of the results will be provided and the results will be discussed in a follow-up appointment.
Psychological assessment between two persons

Neuropsychological Assessment

This assessment is more intensive than the screening / baseline assessment and is appropriate for individuals who have sustained an injury to their brain or have developed a neurological condition. Neuropsychological assessment results may inform diagnosis and treatment / intervention / rehabilitation.
The assessment process involves an interview and formal testing. The assessment can be expected to take eight to ten hours to complete and may occur over two days. A written report is generated and the results will be discussed in a follow-up appointment.
Psychological assessment between two persons

Capacity Assessment

Capacity assessments are undertaken if there is a legitimate concern / evidence that an individual’s ability to make decisions regarding their personal and/or financial well-being has deteriorated. A capacity assessment evaluates the individual’s mental capacity to understand issues involved in decision making and the ability to appreciate the consequences of their choices.
The assessment process involves a clinical interview with the individual being evaluated, as well as interview of other involved individuals (e.g., family). In some cases, some cognitive tests may be administered.
Person writing on clipboard

Psychological Assessment

A psychological assessment is undertaken when an individual has developed difficulties associated with emotions, stress, coping, or had an adverse emotional reaction to a life event. This type of evaluation will assist in understanding an individual’s emotional functioning, personality characteristics, coping styles, and other factors that have an impact on day-to-day function.
The assessment process involves a clinical interview and formal testing. The assessment can be expected to take most of a day. A written report is generated and the results will be discussed in a follow-up appointment.
Psychological assessment between two persons

About

Headshot of Andrea Kilgour

Meet Dr. Andrea Kilgour

Andrea graduated with a doctorate degree, at the top of her class, from Queen’s University in 2003. Throughout her clinical psychology education and training, she focused on Neuropsychology and completed the accredited residency program at the Ottawa Hospital. After graduation, she moved to Winnipeg, MB, where she took up a joint appointment with the University of Manitoba, Faculty of Medicine and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, as an assistant professor / clinical academic. Her work continued to focus on Neuropsychological Assessment with a wide variety of patients, but primarily those for whom neurosurgery was being considered. In addition to clinical work, she has published and presented over 80 peer- reviewed papers, conference presentations, and invited addresses. She has received a number of research grants and has served as a reviewer for scientific journals, as well as grant-funding research councils. In 2014, Dr. Kilgour moved to Alberta, where she has continued to practice in both the public and private sectors.
Throughout her career, she has completed assessments for the purposes of clinical care, insurance, personal injury, documentation of intellectual disability, dementia queries, and sport concussion and return-to-play issues.
Her professional goal is to provide timely, high-quality neuropsychological services to individuals and assist in promoting understanding of the intimate relationship among cognitive, mental, and physical health.

Frequently Asked Questions

A neuropsychological assessment includes both cognitive and psychological evaluation / testing. This type of assessment is recommended when a person has concerns regarding cognitive function (thinking abilities, such as attention, memory, and problem solving). This assessment is designed to determine not only diagnosis but also the root cause of cognitive concerns (e.g., issues related more to emotional/psychological factors or to neurological factors).

Psychological assessment is recommended when a person has concerns regarding mental health. This assessment focuses only on psychological / emotional / personality evaluation.

Assessments vary in length to complete, in part, because different people work at different paces on the various tests. On average, a neuropsychological assessment takes 6 – 8 hours. On average, a psychological assessment takes 3 – 5 hours. The assessment can be completed over more than one day.

Absolutely. A lunch break is always scheduled but additional breaks can be taken as often as needed and when requested.

Yes. It is important to bring any required aids or items that you find helpful, such as glasses, reading glasses, hearing aids, an Obus Form (for seating comfort), etc. Also ensure to bring a list of your current medications. Some people may choose to complete the Intake Questionnaire ahead of time and bring this to the assessment appointment. Finally, you may choose to bring lunch / snacks, or money to purchase food at nearby stores.

There is no way to study for this type of testing and no preparation for the testing is required. The tests are not like school exams. However, you can prepare by being well rested (good sleep the night before) and alert.

The actual tests can not be released. However, you will have access to the results and the report either directly during a follow-up feedback session or through requesting a copy of your report.

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