Pediatric Neuropsychology: Assessment, Diagnosis and Treatment Planning

This three-quarter class will present didactics on developmental disorders, pediatric syndromes, and acquired brain injury in children. Methods of assessment in children with a focus on neuropsychological testing will be covered in depth. Differential diagnosis and treatment planning will also be presented. The Fall Quarter will focus on developmental disorders including autism, Asperger's, mental retardation, specific learning disabilities and Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder.  Current conceptualizations of these disorders will be used to form assessment techniques, including choice of instruments and interpretation of results.  The Winter Quarter will focus on the medical/neuropsychological aspects of specific medical conditions such as neurodevelopmental disorders, head injury, low birth weight, epilipsy, tumors and poisoning. Guidelines for neuropsychological assessment and interventions will be discussed.  The Spring Quarter will focus on the application of information learned during the Fall and Winter Quarters through case presentations and speakers.  Practical issues in pediatric neuropsychology including ethics, educational law and inter-disciplinary interventions will be covered.  Offered Thursdays, 8:00 - 9:00 a.m., Room C8-885, Semel Institute and Resnick Neuropsychiatric Hospital.