| CODE | PSY5656 | |||||||||
| TITLE | Neuropsychological Assessment of Adults | |||||||||
| UM LEVEL | 05 - Postgraduate Modular Diploma or Degree Course | |||||||||
| MQF LEVEL | 7 | |||||||||
| ECTS CREDITS | 5 | |||||||||
| DEPARTMENT | Psychology | |||||||||
| DESCRIPTION | This unit considers the fundamental principles of neuropsychological assessment in adults. It also focuses on the different factors involved in the administration, interpretation and reporting of neuropsychological assessments in adults. An account will be given of how neuropsychologists assess functions that are at risk of compromise and provide prognosis of outcome after brain injury or the onset of a neurodegenerative disorder. Workshops are used to review the strengths and weaknesses of various tests used for assessing different components of adult cognition and behaviour. The importance of interpreting tests within the context of individual cases and describing potential functional implications is highlighted. Study-Unit Aims: This study-unit is aimed at enabling participants to develop a framework for assessing neuropsychological functions in adults. Participants will be expected to become familiar with the use of a variety of neuropsychological tests and interpretation and results. This will entail being able to determine which tests are applicable to which investigation is required, to create a rapport with adults, to administer tests to adults, and to interpret and report the relevant findings. Learning Outcomes: 1. Knowledge & Understanding: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the assessment procedures adopted in clinical neuropsychology for adults; - Demonstrate a critical understanding of the diagnosis and prognosis of deficits following a brain injury; - Demonstrate a critical understanding of diagnosis and prognosis of a neurodenegerative disorder; - Demonstrate an understanding of the psychometric principles of neuropsychological assessment in adults; - Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of the different neuropsychological tests for adults; - Demonstrate a critical understanding of the strengths, weaknesses and applicability of the different neuropsychological tests for adults; - Demonstrate a critical understanding of the functional implications of assessment results; - Evaluate the limitations of of neuropsychological assessments; - Demonstrate an understanding of the social model of disability, culturally responsive education and inclusive schools. 2. Skills: By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to: - Select the appropriate neuropsychological assessment by considering the adult's history, the presenting problem, and reason for referral; - Critically consider the cultural context of the adult when selecting the appropriate neuropsychological assessment; - Conduct a neuropsychological assessment interview with an adult; - Establish rapport with adult clients; - Observe the adult's behaviour during the assessment; - Conduct a well-structured neuropsychological investigation of a referral problem in an adult client; - Interpret the results of the assessment within the context of individual case; - Write a neuropsychological assessment report that is appropriate for the target audience (professionals etc); - Communicate the results of the neuropsychological assessments to different audiences; - Provide recommendations on the functional implications of the results of the neuropsycholgical assessment; - Use neuropsycholgical assessments to monitor cognitive change over time. Main Text/s and any supplementary readings: Main Texts: - MacNIven, J.A. (2016) Neuropsychological Formulation. A clinical Casebook. Sringer. - Green, J. (2002) Neuropsychological Evaluation of the Older Adult: A Clinician's Guidebook. Oxford. Elsevier. - Donders, J. (2015) Neuropsycholgical Report Writing. The Guilford Press. Supplementary Readings: - Lezak, M. D., Howieson, D. B., & Loring, D. W. (2012). Neuropsychological Assessment, 5th Edition. Oxford: Oxford University Press. |
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| STUDY-UNIT TYPE | Lecture and Seminar | |||||||||
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The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints. Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice. It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years. |
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