PSY6164 - Developmental Neuropsychology - Monash University

Written task Following on from the initial description of the clinical condition in question, students are provided with a referral question, description of the client’s presentation, and tables with test/questionnaire scores. Students are expected to complete the following: • Detailed results section. This includes an interpretation of the reliability of key tests (e.g., FSIQ), comments on performance validity, and the potential impact of clinical circumstances on performance (e.g., attentional fluctuations). Results must be presented in a logical manner that broadly follows neuropsychological models of cognition. • Complete a brief opinion section. This will include a summary of the referral question and results, identification of strengths/weaknesses and a characterisation of overall functioning in the context of the clinical circumstances (e.g., TBI). This characterisation will include cognition, behaviour, mental health, family dynamics, peer relationships, and academic/school functioning. Students will be expected to explicitly address the referral question and provide a small set of specific and tailored recommendations for the client, the family, and school.

Written task Administering the 10 core subtests (with a child you know, or in administration for case analysis case). Submit the scored record form and a mock report (headings provided on Moodle). Administration of 10 core subtests, scoring: Summary, Primary & Process Analysis pages (ignoring cancellation and LNS scores). Also scoring the following on the Ancillary Analysis page: nonverbal, general ability, and cognitive proficiency scores (but not quantitative reasoning or auditory working memory scores, or subtest comparisons of FW-AR and DS-LN).

Written task Students will be provided with a description of a paediatric clinical case. This will include demographic information (e.g., age, sex) and the details of the specific circumstances (e.g., severe traumatic brain injury). Students will provide the following information: • Considering the age/sex/background of the individual, what would their expected pre-injury level of cognitive/behavioural functioning be? In other words, developmentally, what level cognitive abilities would a typical child of x age be expected to exhibit? Students will be expected to comment on attention, processing speed, working memory, memory, and several elements of executive functioning and identify which skills would be mature, developing, and/or emerging based on age/sex. • Based on the nature of the injury and background details, what kind of cognitive/behavioural difficulties would you expect the client to experience? What additional information would be important to obtain? Also, what tests/questionnaires could you use to complete a developmentally appropriate and comprehensive neuropsychological assessment with the client?