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In this episode, I sit down with Ashby Martin to explore the intersection of clinical neuropsychology, neurolinguistics, and language barriers. We examine Ashby’s extensive research analyzing 50 years of patient data, comparing outcomes between interpreter-mediated assessments and clinician-led evaluations in the patient’s native language. We discuss the statistical reality of performance drops during interpreted testing, the historical evolution of interpreter certification, and practical strategies clinicians can use to improve diagnostic accuracy when working across linguistic lines.
- 01:13: Definition of limited English proficiency and its prevalence in the US
- 04:09: Overview of neurolinguistics and its application to neuropsychological testing
- 10:21: Study methodology: matching limited English proficiency patients across 50 years of clinic files
- 13:29: Major findings: performance drops and score variability in interpreter-mediated testing
- 15:23: Historical timeline of speech interpreter certifications and legislative standards
- 32:14: Findings on clinician-led evaluations in Spanish removing diagnostic discrepancies
- 38:17: The “shadow interpreter” model and practical tips for bilingual clinicians
- 47:44: Sub-analysis findings: cognitive domains, degree of test verbalness, and litigation status
Cool Things Mentioned
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- Crafted Practice: the only in-person business retreat for testing psychologists
- Reverb: the premier AI-powered report-writing platform for testing psychologists
- Benton Neuropsychological Clinic at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics: www.uihc.org/benton-neuropsychology-clinic
- National Council on Interpreting in Health Care: www.ncihc.org
- Certification Commission for Healthcare Interpreters: www.cchicertification.org
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About Ashby Martin
Ashby Martin is a neuroscience researcher whose work focuses on clinical neuropsychology, language accessibility, and health equity. He earned his BS in Neuroscience and Behavior from the University of Notre Dame before completing his PhD in Neuroscience at the University of Iowa in May 2026. His research examines interpreter-mediated neuropsychological assessment among patients with limited English proficiency, with emphasis on test performance, clinical interpretation, and the validity of assessment practices across linguistically diverse populations.
Get in touch:
- Emails: ashbymartin@uiowa.edu and ashbymartin1@jhaynes
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashby-martin/
- GitHub: https://github.com/ashby-martin
- ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3424-3110
About Dr. Jeremy Sharp
I’m a licensed psychologist and Clinical Director at the Colorado Center for Assessment & Counseling, a private practice that I founded in 2009 and have grown to over 20 clinicians. I earned my undergraduate degree in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina before getting my Master’s and PhD in Counseling Psychology from Colorado State University. These days, I specialize in psychological and neuropsychological evaluation with kids and adolescents.
As the host of the Testing Psychologist Podcast, I provide private practice consulting for psychologists and other mental health professionals who want to start or grow psychological testing services in their practices. I live in Fort Collins, Colorado with my wife (also a therapist) and two young kids.
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