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Overview
Cognitive Rehabilitation
Neurology Review of Neuropsychology
Neuropsychological Assessment
Neuropsychology is the study of brain/behavior relationships. An assessment is used to help understand the strengths and weaknesses of an individual based on various sources of information including test results, medical information and personal history.
The assessment focuses on the whole person, including consideration of cognitive strengths and weaknesses, emotional variables, physical health, situational stressors, family and social relationships, cultural differences and occupational demands.
There are many reasons an individual may be referred for neuropsychological assessment. There are conditions which can be identified with neuropsychological assessment techniques, even when most sensitive laboratory studies are unrevealing. Measuring thinking in the early stages of dementia or determining the effects of head injury are examples of situations in which neuropsychological assessment can be very important.
Additionally, measuring the effects of exposure to toxic chemicals has been an identified area of specialization in neuropsychology. An assessment of an individual provides a diagnosis and produces a valuable description of an individual's strengths and weaknesses. Neuropsychological evaluation can also be used to plan and evaluate treatment. This kind of evaluation can help determine the individual's abilities and what kind of help may be needed. Determining whether an individual is ready to return to work, drive a car or handle money can be an important element of this kind of process. Repeated evaluations over time can determine how well an individual is recovering or whether treatment is beneficial. Often, families of an impaired individual are supported by understanding their own role and correctly estimating the injured individual's speed of recovery.
A neuropsychological assessment can also be used in legal proceedings. It is often used in personal injury cases to assess the degree of impairment resulting from an injury.
In probate law, neuropsychological assessment can be the most important feature in determining an individual's capacity to understand and care for themselves.
Cognitive Rehabilitation
This technique is most often used when a head injury, has occured. This method both encourages a patient to improve an impaired function and find alternative ways of accomplishing what the patient has lost in ability due to injury. The president of the American Medical Association a few years ago indicated in an acceptance speech that an estimated 70 percent of physical/medical problems are primarily psychological in origin.