Neuropsychological assessment has traditionally been grounded in standardized psychometric testing, often prioritizing cognitive performance while overlooking the influence of social, cultural, racial, gender and contextual determinants on human functioning. The worldwide increase in referrals for neurodevelopmental assessment, particularly among adults, women and historically marginalized populations, has highlighted important limitations of deficit-centered models and reinforced the need for more ecologically valid, socially responsive and person-centered clinical approaches. To present the Baobá Humanistic, Interventive, Community-Based, Neurodiversity-Affirming and Intersectional Neuropsychological Assessment Model, a Brazilian framework proposing a decolonial paradigm for neuropsychological assessment. This experience report describes a clinical model developed in Brazil since 2021 through the work of Baobá Neuropsychology. The model integrates standardized assessment with therapeutic intervention throughout the diagnostic process, combining quantitative and qualitative data, longitudinal follow-up, ecological validity, homebased assessment when indicated, shared clinical reasoning by two neuropsychologists, interdisciplinary collaboration, active participation of patients and families, and principles of Academic Activism that connect clinical practice, scientific production and advocacy for human rights. The framework is theoretically grounded in Humanistic Neuropsychology, Therapeutic Assessment, Community Psychology, Neurodiversity, Intersectionality and Decolonial Health. Clinical implementation has demonstrated increased patient engagement, improved diagnostic differentiation among neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric conditions, earlier therapeutic planning, greater family participation, and expanded access to accommodations and social rights. The model has been particularly relevant for reducing diagnostic invisibility among women, Black individuals and LGBTQIAPN+ populations by integrating social determinants into neuropsychological reasoning. To the best of our knowledge, the Baobá Model represents one of the first systematically described Brazilian neuropsychological assessment frameworks integrating humanistic, interventive, community-based, neurodiversity- affirming, ecological and intersectional principles into a single longitudinal clinical model. Rather than understanding assessment as a procedure exclusively aimed at diagnosis, the model reframes neuropsychological assessment as a therapeutic, educational, community-based and socially responsive process, contributing to the international discussion on decolonizing clinical neuropsychology.

Ester Maria Horta is a psychologist and neuropsychologist with over 15 years of experience at the intersection of mental health, education, and human rights. she holds specializations in neuropsychology and neuropsychological rehabilitation from the hospital das clínicas (fmusp) and in neurodevelopmental disorders from unifesp. she is the cofounder of baobá neuropsychology alongside fellow neuropsychologist and partner marcela silva. together, they co-developed the baobá model, a collaborative and decolonial framework for clinical assessment grounded in humanistic, community-based, neurodiversity-affirming, and intersectional principles. her professional path includes clinical practice and social projects focused on marginalized groups. an activist for gender, race, and anti-ableist causes, she has served on health boards dedicated to the black population. her practice and research are uniquely informed by her lived experience as a person with disabilities (multiple sclerosis and epilepsy).