Psy 507 NEUROPSYCHOLOGY

History and Assessment Approaches

Fall, 2009

 

Neuropsychology - Study of Brain-behavior Relationships

 

History of Neuropsychology

 

 

A Clinical Neuropsychologist is:

·       a professional psychologist who applies principles of assessment and intervention based upon the scientific study of human behavior as it relates to normal and abnormal functioning of the central nervous system.

·       a doctoral-level psychology provider of diagnostic and intervention services who has demonstrated competence in the application of such principles for human welfare following:

o   successful completion of systematic didactic and experiential training in neuropsychology and neuroscience at a regionally accredited university;

o   two or more years of appropriate supervised training applying neuropsychological services in a clinical setting;

o   licensing and certification to provide psychological services to the public by the laws of the state or province in which he or she practices;

o   review by one’s peers as a test of these competencies.

 

Diplomate

 

·       Application - required training, letters of recommendations, licensure

·       Multiple choice examination - given 3 times a year (at 3 major meetings:  international neuropsychological society, national academy of neuropsychology, American psychological association)

·       Multiple choice exam on:

o   Neuropsychological assessment
b)  Clinical neuropsychology
c)  Basic and clinical neurosciences
d)  Behavioral neurology
e)  General clinical psychology

·       Submission of 2 work samples - reviewed by panel

·       Oral examination

o   Ethics

o   Work samples

o   Fact-finding case

 

American Board of Professional Neuropsychology (ABPN)

 

Employment Settings for Neuropsychologists

·       Private practice only (34%)

·       University hospital/medical center (23%)

·       Non-university hospital/medical center (13%)

·       Government agency/facility (9%)

·       Independent rehabilitation center (8%)

·       Group practice (5%)

·       Other generic setting (4%)

·       Community mental health center (2%)

·       School system (2%)

 

 

 

 

 

Who Receives  Neuropsychological Services?

 

o   Adults ages 40-65 (29%)

o   Young adults ages 19-39 – (24%)

o   Older adults ages >65 (20%)

o   Children ages<12 (15%)

o   Infants (not reported in survey)

·       Determination of diagnosis (71%)

·       Rehabilitation and treatment planning (48%)

·       Forensic determination (32%)

·       Educational planning (30%)

·       Assess capacity to work (28%)

·       Establish baseline of function for subsequent testing (24%)

·       Assess capacity for independent living – (20%)

·       Pre- and post-medical intervention (10%) 

·       Other – 4%

·       Localization of lesion (3%)

o   Neuropsychological Assessment (42%)

o   Psychotherapy – 19%

o   Research and teaching (17%)

o   Rehabilitation and/or cognitive rehabilitation (8%)

 

Approaches to Neuropsychological Assessment

 

Luria-Nebraska Neuropsychological Battery (Golden, Purisch, & Hammeke, 1985)

 

Halstead-Reitan Battery

 

Flexible Battery Approach