Medical Personnel
What is a Neuropsychologist?
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A neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist who has additional training and experience in understanding brain-behavior relationships. A psychologist is an individual who studies how the brain works and how this affects the way a person thinks, acts or feels. A neuropsychologist has an advanced degree, known as a Ph.D. or Psy.D., in clinical psychology. A neuropsychologist usually works with psychiatrists, neurologists, neurosurgeons, physiatrists and other medical specialists as a team to coordinate care for a patient who experienced a traumatic brain injury. The neuropsychologist will often utilize a psychometrist (someone trained to administer psychological testing) to conduct the evaluation. The neuropsyschologist will then interpret the test results and make recommendations.
A pediatric neuropsychologist has additional training or experience specifically working with children and adolescents and their developmental needs. A primary focus on learning and behavior is often an important part of this assessment. The formal evaluation often consists of areas involving intellect, achievement, memory, problem-solving, language, motor initiation and the various ways of processing information. The pediatric neuropsychologist may provide treatment, such as cognitive remediation, behavior management or skills training.
Prior to the neuropsychological evaluation, the neuropsychologist will:
- Review medical or school records.
- Ask questions about the patient’s medical, school/work and family history.
- Give some tests during the evaluation so that the healthcare team can better understand a broad range of his/her thinking and behavioral abilities. This can take one to five hours, depending on the patient’s level of functioning.
- Request a chance to watch the patient at home and/or school if necessary.
- Have the patient complete additional forms about his/her learning and behavior.
After the evaluation, the results and suggestions for improvement and therapy goals are reviewed with the patient and/or parents, and plans are made for follow-up, such as contacting school/work personnel, physicians, rehabilitation professionals and others involved in a loved one’s care.
Recent research has shown that performance on neuropsychological testing can relate to everyday skills, such as driving, managing money, and organizing time. It can provide useful information with respect to when is the best time to return to work or school. The neuropsychological evaluation will typically take many hours and will involve pencil and paper as well as computerized tests. Some tests will be easy while others are more difficult.
Neuropsychological evaluations may be needed if you suspect the following difficulties after head trauma:
- Difficulty thinking
- Problems with learning
- Uncontrollable emotions
- Unusual behaviors
- Attention deficits
- Personality change
- Increased stress/depression
Results from a neuropsychological evaluation help the healthcare professional determine the proper rehabilitation, psychological, psychiatric or educational services for the patient and his/her family. By comparing the scores to those of similar patients of that age, the neuropsychologist can create a profile of strengths and weaknesses that may facilitate school/work transition and to develop a plan to overcome or compensate for problem areas.
Dr. Thomas Burns received his Masters and Doctoral degrees in Clinical Psychology. After obtaining specialty training in Neuropsychology and completing a postdoctoral residency at Atlanta’s Scottish Rite Children’s Medical Center, Dr. Burns was licensed as a Psychologist in Georgia. He is board certified by the American Board of Professional Neuropsychology and is currently the Director of Neuropsychology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta. Dr. Burns also practices in private practice in Atlanta, treating both adults and children.
http://www.neuropsychologycentral.com/
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