Measuring Impairment with the Neuropsychological Impairment Scale

Abstract

The Neuropsychological Impairment Scale (NIS; 2009) is a screening instrument designed to serve as an “early warning system” (Lezak, 1983, p. 135), which can be used to identify areas of neuropsychological weakness, focus treatment efforts, or to determine service efficiency. Many times, and for a variety of reasons, individuals do not report symptoms or medical histories that may be diagnostically relevant. Further, the routine clinical examination may overlook or fail to elicit pertinent information pertaining to neuropsychological impairment. The structured, efficiently administered NIS inventory addresses both global impairment and the following specific symptom areas: attention, memory, and linguistic functioning (Robins, 1980).