As experts in the assessment of human brain functioning, neuropsychologists possess
the ability to provide reliable
and valid assessments of competency.
Competency determinations, quite often, are a means to determine decision-making capacity. Competency refers to an individual’scapacity to decide or to perform activities of daily living (Denney & Wynkoop, 2000). Among these are the capacities to work, drive, parent, make medical decisions, provide informed consent in medical treatment, care for oneself, care for one's finances, and enter into legal contracts (e.g., designate a will). Competency rulings are also relevant in civil and criminal litigation, where a person’s understanding of the issues relevant to participation in a particular legal proceedingis are of primary concern.
