Description: Assessment of neuropsychological disorders and their functional implications

This module considers the underpinning principles of developmental neuropsychological assessment and the many variables involved in administration, interpretation and reporting of neuropsychological assessment. Unlike adult neuropsychology, paediatric neuropsychologists are required to diagnose reorganised functions after brain injury/disease at different stages of development; all assessment procedures within this module therefore build on key concepts of normal and abnormal brain development described in Course Modules CHLD0053 (Development of the sensory, motor and cognitive neural systems) and CHLD0054 (Developmental disorders and neuropsychological profiles). Workshops are used to review the strengths and weaknesses of different tests for each neural-cognitive-motor system. The importance of interpreting tests within the context of the individual case and describing potential functional implications is highlighted.

The content of this module is delivered in accordance with the British Psychological Society 2019 Clinical Neuropsychology Standards for Accreditation (Paediatric Programmes).

 

Learning Objectives and Outcomes

After taking this module, you should be able to:

Understand the underpinning principles of neuropsychological assessment in children and adolescents and the many variables involved in the administration, interpretation and reporting of neuropsychological assessments.
	Understand the need to integrate neuropsychological data with measures of brain function to improve diagnosis and prognosis in different cases.
	Know the strengths and weaknesses of various tests used for assessing different components of cognition and behaviour and how to evaluate new tests as they are developed.
	Understand the importance of interpreting tests within the context of individual cases and describing potential functional implications.
	Produce basic neuropsychological formulations that reflect the complex range of variables involved in paediatric clinical cases.
 

Who is this module for?

This is a core module for the MSc/PG Diploma in Clinical/Applied Paediatric Neuropsychology. 

 

Teaching and Learning Methods

Teaching is delivered through live face-to-face, online and pre-recorded lecturers, alongside learning through readings and tutorials, discussion, and seminar sessions.

 

Assessment

You will be assessed by a 90-minute unseen computer-based exam (three short essays).

 

Recommended Readings

Essentials of school neuropsychological assessment.  Miller, Daniel C.

Yeates, K. O., Ris, M. D., Taylor, H. G., & Pennington, B. F. (2009). Pediatric Neuropsychology Second Edition: Research, Theory, and Practice (Science and Practice of Neuropsychology). Guilford Press.

Kolb, B., & Whishaw, I.Q. (2015). Fundamentals of Human Neuropsychology, 7th Edition. W. H. Freeman & Co Ltd

Please also refer to lecturers’ reading lists for specific and up-to-date scientific articles.  The module reading list is updated annually and is based on current journal articles.