Neurocognitive Disorders Assessments

Neurocognitive disorders constitute the primary clinical deficits in cognitive functioning, which represent a decline on such functioning levels. Conducting neurocognitive assessments in people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) who are suspected of dementia may be challenging due to multiple physical health comorbidities and varying baseline cognitive functioning. In this chapter, the principles, and recommendations regarding the assessment of cognitive decline are highlighted. Key issues that should be considered when conducting neuropsychological assessments and instruments that are commonly used in the assessment process, are discussed. Reference is made to a case study demonstrating how the assessment process has been implemented in one region in Italy.