DPSY5263 - Neuropsychological assessment - 2018

Students will be introduced to the scientist-practitioner model of neuropsychology, incorporating a hypothesis testing approach to assessment. Students will be exposed to a range of qualitative and quantitative approaches designed to assess cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning. They will learn how to select which tests are most appropriate in specific clinical situations and how to administer, score and interpret each measure. Formulation and report writing skills will be imparted in addition to competencies relating to psychoeducation and recommendation provision. Specific issues regarding assessment of decision making capacity, acute assessment, longitudinal assessment and assessment of people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds will also be covered.

The primary aim of this unit is to introduce students to an overarching approach to neuropsychological assessment and case formulation, as well as assessment selection, administration, scoring and interpretation.

At the conclusion of this unit students will:

1. Be able to critically evaluate a wide range of neuropsychological tests and scales designed to assess numerous aspects of cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning.
2. Be able to plan neuropsychological assessments, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, appropriate to specific clinical contexts and referrals (eg; across the lifespan, cross-cultural assessment etc.).
3. Be able to interpret and integrate information obtained during neuropsychological assessment to formulate a comprehensive analysis of an individual's neuropsychological function.
4. To be able to disseminate neuropsychological assessment findings across a range of formats (reports, verbal feedback) and audiences (other clinicians, clients, family).

Test Kit (Hurdle)

Problem Based Learning Tasks (Hurdle)

Case Report Series: Case 1 (33%), Case 2 (33%), Case 3 (34%)

Psychology