Pre-Surgical Evaluations
Pre-Surgical Evaluations
Neuropsychological Support for Medical Decision-Making
Neuropsychological evaluation is often requested by medical teams when a clear, objective understanding of cognitive functioning is needed before a procedure that may affect the brain or central nervous system, or when establishing a baseline for comparison after medical intervention. In these contexts, evaluation provides information about attention, memory, executive functioning, language, and other cognitive systems in a way that supports treatment planning and risk-benefit decision-making.
At Coherence, these evaluations are conducted by Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP across a range of medical contexts, with particular experience in cochlear implant candidacy assessments. This work has been a longstanding focus of her clinical and research career and involves careful consideration of how hearing status, language development, and broader neurocognitive functioning interact.
For children who are candidates for cochlear implantation, neuropsychological evaluation can contribute to understanding developmental readiness, informing surgical planning discussions, and providing a baseline for post-implant follow-up. These evaluations are typically completed in coordination with the referring audiology and surgical teams to ensure that findings are integrated into broader medical decision-making.
For Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals, when appropriate, evaluation can be conducted directly in American Sign Language, allowing cognitive assessment to occur within the patient’s primary language system rather than through mediated communication.
How we work
- Cochlear implant candidacy evaluation for children and adults, including ASL-accessible evaluation when appropriate
- Baseline cognitive assessment before epilepsy surgery or other neurosurgical procedures
- Neuropsychological evaluation before other procedures with potential cognitive effects
- Functional assessment to inform post-surgical rehabilitation planning and service needs
Our Process
How the Process Works
Pre-surgical neuropsychological evaluations are designed to help medical teams better understand how a planned procedure may affect a person’s thinking, memory, language, attention, or daily functioning. At Coherence, these evaluations begin with understanding the specific clinical question behind the referral. The goal is not simply to complete testing, but to provide information that helps the medical team make thoughtful decisions about treatment planning.
Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP reviews relevant medical records, prior evaluations, and other available information before the evaluation begins. The assessment itself is tailored to the individual and may include measures of memory, attention, executive functioning, language, processing speed, and other cognitive abilities depending on the surgical question being considered.
The results are interpreted within the context of the person’s history, current concerns, and everyday functioning. A neuropsychological evaluation can help clarify a person’s current strengths, identify areas that may need additional consideration, and provide baseline information when appropriate. The final report summarizes the findings in clear clinical language and is prepared to support communication and planning among the medical team, the patient, and family members.
Throughout the process, Coherence works collaboratively with referring providers to ensure that the evaluation addresses the questions that matter most for medical decision-making. Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP is available to consult with medical professionals regarding findings, recommendations, and the broader clinical picture.
Please note that contacting this practice does not establish a patient provider relationship.
Candidacy Process
The Cochlear Implant Candidacy Process
Cochlear implant candidacy evaluations involve much more than measuring hearing or completing a standard cognitive assessment. They require an understanding of how hearing loss has shaped a person’s development, communication, learning, and daily life. For children especially, questions about language development, educational experiences, social communication, and adaptive skills are important parts of understanding readiness and planning for the future.
At Coherence, Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP provides cochlear implant candidacy evaluations with a background in pediatric neuropsychology and experience working with Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals. This perspective allows the evaluation to consider the whole person, including developmental history, communication needs, cognitive strengths, and the ways hearing differences may have influenced learning and everyday functioning.
Each evaluation is guided by the questions of the cochlear implant team and the needs of the individual being evaluated. Assessment may include areas such as attention, memory, learning, language, problem-solving, and adaptive functioning, depending on the person’s age, history, and the purpose of the evaluation.
The findings are interpreted within the broader context of the individual’s experiences rather than viewed as isolated test scores. The resulting report provides the medical team with information that can support candidacy decisions, treatment planning, and conversations with individuals and families about next steps.
Working closely with the cochlear implant team is an important part of this process. Jennifer Linton Reesman, PhD, ABPP collaborates with medical providers and other professionals involved in care to help ensure the evaluation contributes meaningful information to the overall decision-making process.
Refer or Inquire
Medical teams may refer directly. Families may also self-refer with physician coordination.