Neuropsychology Services
Neuropsychology Evaluations
Head to Head Consultants in Gladstone, NJ and Jill Brooks, Ph.D. provide comprehensive neuropsychological assessments and evaluations for more than 30 years. Dr. Brooks has published numerous articles and book chapters in the areas of neurogenic speech and language disorders, executive dysfunction and concussion in sports. Dr. Brooks was appointed by Governor Christie Whitman to serve on the New Jersey Advisory Council on Traumatic Brain Injury. She also is a member of the State Traumatic Brain Injury Fund. Dr. Brooks has also served as a consultant at the college and professional sports levels.
Services for various conditions include the following:
- Comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations to measure attention, learning, memory, language, visuospatial abilities, higher order cognitive abilities, fine motor skills, perception, mood, personality and adaptive functioning
- Baseline assessments and repeat testing to measure improvement or decline over time
- Feedback and treatment planning
- Patient and family education
- Multi-dimensional treatment paradigms for concussion treatment
Dr. Jill Brooks helps individuals who present with:
Sports Concussions
Many people believe that you must lose consciousness to have a concussion. The fact is that the majority of concussions occur without the loss of consciousness. Many people don’t realize they have a concussion if it is mild. Common physical symptoms of concussions include headache, nausea, dizziness, fatigue and sensitivity to noise and light.
As a neuropsychologist, Dr. Brooks is trained to evaluate and treat concussions. She is in fact a nationally recognized authority on the matter. Dr. Brooks will suggest a specific course of treatment which is individualized to each person. Dr. Brooks will then help determine when it’s safe to return to their normal activities of school, work, or play.
Learning Disabilities Including Dyslexia
A learning disability is a neurobiological disorder that presents as a serious difficulty with reading, arithmetic, and/or written expression that is unexpected, given the individual’s intellectual ability. One of the best ways to diagnose a learning disability is with a neuropsychological evaluation.
Results obtained during the neuropsychological evaluation allow Dr. Brooks to identify individual strengths and opportunities for growth which are both critical for determining areas of intervention.
Dr. Brooks is also a licensed speech and language pathologist, which facilitates her work with language-based learning disabilities and verbal and nonverbal communication disorders as it relates to individuals on the Autism Spectrum, ADD and ADHD.
ADD /ADHD
When assessing attention and concentration disorders, Dr. Brooks is simultaneously evaluating and ruling out other issues that may contribute. These include mood & anxiety disorders, substance abuse, migraines, post-concussion symptoms, seizure activity, sensory integration problems, sleep disturbances, Autism Spectrum symptoms and learning disabilities. Once the ADD/ADHD is properly assessed, Dr. Brooks can commence with treatment, strategies, and accommodations.
Epilepsy
The majority of individuals diagnosed with epilepsy do not have significant problems with functioning in everyday life. However, there are a number of instances where the seizures can greatly affect cognitive, emotional and behavioral functioning. The neuropsychological examination can help identify areas of difficulty in cognitive function that are related to the parts of the brain which are involved in the seizure activity.
Neuropsychological testing can specifically add to the localization of seizure activity.
Traumatic Brain Injury & Stroke
Traumatic brain injury and stroke are neurological injuries that can affect the emotional, physical, psychological and cognitive functioning of the individual. Dr. Brooks performs comprehensive assessments with individuals to formulate an accurate picture. This approach guides Dr. Brooks regarding multiple types of treatment.
Fibromyalgia
Fibromyalgia is a complicated condition. Its symptoms are varied and can often impact life in ways that transcend physical pain. The pain and fatigue can negatively alter your lifestyle, thus affecting mood and cognitive functioning. Dr. Brooks will look to assess the symptoms of Fibromyalgia and recommend proper course to cognitive and physical rehabilitation.
Lyme Disease & Other Tick Borne Disorders
Lyme disease is a tick-borne illness caused by the bacterium Borrelia burgdorferi. Symptoms can include fever, sweats, chills, muscle aches, nausea and joint pain. If left unchecked, chronic Lyme disease carries additional symptoms including sleep issues, deteriorated cognitive function, depression, and chronic headaches.
Lyme disease is often misdiagnosed. Dr. Brooks can work with your physician after identifying the symptoms present.