It is based on the integration of the results of the neuropsychological examination with medical and life history, with an emphasis on differentiating executive dysfunction from other problems, such as attention disorders, learning difficulties or emotional disorders, to accurately determine the type and extent of executive dysfunction. Neuropsychological diagnosis of executive dysfunction is a comprehensive assessment process aimed at determining the presence, degree, and severity of executive dysfunction, taking into account individual characteristics.
1) Diagnosis begins with a medical and life history, including data on childbirth, traumatic brain injury, early language and cognitive development, and environmental and social factors that may influence the development of executive functions.
2) A neuropsychological examination is then carried out, including tests for executive functions, observation of behavior in a natural environment and the results of a survey of parents and teachers (BRIEF) to obtain a complete picture.
Neuropsychological diagnosis is particularly important to accurately distinguish between executive dysfunction and related problems, such as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), learning difficulties, or emotional disturbances, in order to avoid misdiagnosis or inadequate intervention. It also aims to determine the level of impairment: whether it concerns planning and organization, cognitive flexibility, working memory, self-control, or all of these functions combined.