Attention & focus
How well a person can concentrate, filter out distractions and stay with a task.
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION · TAMPA, WESLEY CHAPEL & LAKELAND
Neuropsychological evaluation in Tampa, Wesley Chapel and Lakeland.
A neuropsychological evaluation uses standardized tasks to measure how attention, memory, language, reasoning and processing speed are working, and turns the results into practical recommendations. Richard M. Marshall, Ed.D., Ph.D. provides it for preteens, teens and adults.
Accepting New Patients · In person at all three Ascend offices
NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL EVALUATION · TAMPA, WESLEY CHAPEL & LAKELAND
Answers that finally make sense.
Call (863) 510-2624 to talk through your questions and find out whether this evaluation fits.
Got it. We will be in touch.
A care coordinator will reach out within one business day. If you would rather not wait, call (863) 510-2624.
We go over cost and payment options on the call. Calls are answered Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Please don’t include medical details here; we cover those on the call.
Or call directly: (863) 510-2624
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Quick answer
A neuropsychological evaluation measures attention, memory, language and problem solving to explain learning, attention or thinking concerns. At Ascend it is done in person at the Tampa (Carrollwood), Wesley Chapel or Lakeland office by Dr. Richard M. Marshall, Ed.D., Ph.D., for preteens, teens and adults, including families who travel from the Tampa Bay area. Cost and payment options are reviewed on the first call.
What it is
A closer look at how thinking works.
A neuropsychological evaluation is a detailed assessment of how the brain is working. You complete standardized tasks, puzzles and questionnaires while the evaluator observes, and your results are compared with those of people your age. The picture that comes out shows strengths and weaknesses in attention, memory, language and reasoning, and points toward practical next steps at school, at work or in treatment.
It is available for preteens, teens and adults. For school-aged children, see psychological and psychoeducational testing. For older adults with memory concerns, see testing by age.
What it measures
Six areas, one clear picture.
Which areas are tested depends on the questions you bring. Your evaluator chooses the tasks to match.
Memory
How a person learns and recalls new information, both spoken and visual.
Language
Finding words, understanding what is said and expressing ideas clearly.
Reasoning & planning
Solving problems, organizing steps, switching between tasks and making decisions, often called executive function.
Processing speed
How quickly a person takes in information and responds to it.
Visual-spatial skills
Making sense of shapes, patterns and layouts, and fitting pieces together.
Choosing the right step
Which evaluation fits your question?
| Option | Best for | Where to start |
|---|---|---|
| Neuropsychological evaluation | Questions about attention, memory, learning or processing speed in preteens, teens and adults | You are here |
| Psychological and psychoeducational testing | School-age learning questions and a broad look at thinking, learning and behavior | Psychological testing |
| Clinical ADHD evaluation | A conversation with a prescribing clinician about focus and attention that may lead to treatment | Clinical ADHD evaluation |
| Memory and thinking changes later in life | Older adults and families noticing changes in memory | Testing by age |
For many adults whose main question is attention, a clinical ADHD evaluation is the right first step. A neuropsychological evaluation is more detailed and can help when the picture is complicated or when you need documentation.
Before you book
What to expect.
A plain picture of the path from your first call to understanding your results.
Reach out.
Call or send the form. A patient coordinator calls you back within one business day to talk through your questions and next steps.
Testing visit.
You complete standardized tasks, questions and questionnaires at the Ascend office you choose. How long it takes depends on your age and the questions being asked.
Talk through the results.
Your evaluator explains what the results show and what they mean for school, work or treatment.
Written summary.
A written summary you can share with schools, employers or other providers, with your permission.
Three offices
Meet Dr. Marshall.
Richard M. Marshall, Ed.D., Ph.D. holds a Ph.D. with specialty training in neuropsychology and an Ed.D. with specialty training in reading and learning disabilities. He has spent more than 25 years working in teaching hospitals and serves on the faculty of the Department of Psychiatry at Lakeland Regional Health.
Evaluations take place in person at our Tampa, Wesley Chapel or Lakeland office; a coordinator confirms which one when you call.
Choose the office closest to you: Tampa (Carrollwood), Wesley Chapel or Lakeland. After the feedback visit, care can continue at the same office or by Florida telehealth: psychiatry in Wesley Chapel or telehealth anywhere in Florida.
Other first steps
When an evaluation is not the first step.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. For the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, call or text 988. Sudden confusion, trouble speaking or signs of a stroke need emergency care, not a scheduled evaluation. Questions about a medical cause for changes in memory or thinking belong with a physician first, and a neuropsychological evaluation can follow when more detail is needed.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions.
What does a neuropsychological evaluation test for?
It measures how well different thinking skills are working, including attention, memory, language, visual-spatial skills, processing speed, reasoning and planning. Results are compared with people of the same age. The goal is a clear picture of strengths and weaknesses that explains everyday difficulties and points to practical next steps at school, at work or in treatment.
How is a neuropsychological evaluation different from psychological testing?
Psychological testing is a broad term for standardized assessment of thinking, learning, mood and behavior. A neuropsychological evaluation is a more detailed look at how specific brain-based skills such as memory, attention and processing speed are working. At Ascend, the broader testing service covers school-age learning questions, while this evaluation focuses on preteens, teens and adults.
Is a neuropsychological evaluation the same as a brain scan?
No. A brain scan such as an MRI shows the structure of the brain. A neuropsychological evaluation measures how the brain is functioning by having you complete standardized tasks and questionnaires. The two answer different questions, and a physician decides whether imaging is needed.
Who should consider a neuropsychological evaluation?
Teens and adults who have ongoing trouble with attention, memory, learning or organization that has not been explained, and people who need documentation of how they learn and process information. It can also help sort out whether several possible explanations, such as ADHD, a learning disability or anxiety, are contributing. A short phone conversation helps decide whether it is the right first step.
Can a neuropsychological evaluation help with accommodations at school or work?
It can provide the documentation many schools, colleges and testing organizations ask for when reviewing accommodation requests, because it reports standardized scores and explains how a person learns. The school, employer or testing body makes the final decision. Before booking, read the documentation requirements you were given so the evaluation answers the right questions.
Where are neuropsychological evaluations done?
Evaluations with Dr. Marshall take place in person at the Ascend office closest to you: Tampa (Carrollwood), 3971 Moran Rd, Suite 101; Wesley Chapel, 27724 Cashford Circle, Suite 102; or Lakeland, 832 South Florida Avenue, Suite 1, Floor 2. Call (863) 510-2624 or send the form on this page and a patient coordinator will call you back to talk through scheduling and which office fits.
Currently Accepting New Patients
Ready to talk it through?
Call or send the form and our team will help you decide whether a neuropsychological evaluation is the right step.
In person at our Tampa, Wesley Chapel and Lakeland offices