Clinical Neuropsychology What Is Clinical Neuropsychology?
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Clinical Neuropsychology What is Clinical Neuropsychology? A Neuropsychologist is a licensed psychologist trained to examine the link between a patient’s brain and behavior. A Neuropsychologist will assess neurological, medical, and genetic disorders, psychiatric illness and behavior problems, developmental disabilities, and complex learning issues. UNC PM&R’s Neuropsychologists work with children, adolescents, and adults. The primary goal of this service is to utilize results of the evaluation to collaborate with the patient and develop a treatment plan and recommendations that best fit the patient’s needs. Patients who may benefit from a Neuropsychological Evaluation include those with: • A neurological disorder such as epilepsy, hydrocephalus, Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias, multiple sclerosis, or hydrocephalus • An acquired brain injury from concussion or more severe head trauma, stroke, hydrocephalus, lack of oxygen, brain infection, brain tumor, or other cancers • Other medical conditions that may affect brain functioning, such as chronic heart, lung, kidney, or liver problems, diabetes, breathing issues, lupus, or other autoimmune diseases • A neurodevelopmental disorder such as cerebral palsy, spina bifida, intellectual disabilities, learning difficulties, ADHD disorder, or autism spectrum disorder • Problems with or changes in thinking, memory, or behavior with no clear known cause What is the evaluation like? The evaluation will be tailored to The evaluation may last between 3-6 address the patient’s specific concerns hours and typically includes: about functioning, and can address 1. Interview with the patient and the following: possibly family members/caretakers • General intellectual ability and/or problems in 2. Assessment and testing (typically a reading, writing, or math combination of one-on-one tests of • Problems with/changes in attention, memory, thinking involving paper/pencil or a thinking abilities, or language tablet, along with questionnaires) • Changes in emotional or behavioral 3. Interpretive feedback session functioning 4. Full written report upon completion How will the evaluation help me? • Make or confirm a diagnosis • Emphasize brain-behavior relationships to explain why problems may be occurring at home, at work, at school, or in other settings • Record changes in functioning before and after medical treatment or surgery *Some information included in this flyer was adapted from the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology (theaacn.org). Clinical Neuropsychology Your Appointment and Location Details Prior to arrival • Please arrive for your Neuropsychological evaluation after getting a full night's rest, eating a good breakfast, and taking your normal medications. • Please bring your mobility aids (cane, walker, or wheelchair), wear hearing aids if you use them, and wear or bring your contact lenses and/or eyeglasses. Center for Rehabilitation Care What to bring UNC PM&R Clinic • If you have received all of your relevant medical care at 1807 N Fordham Blvd. UNC, you do no need to bring any medical records. Chapel Hill, NC 27514 • If you have had any previous evaluations at other facilities UNC PM&R Clinic Hours (developmental, psychological, speech/language, OT, PT), Monday-Friday: 8am-5pm bring records if you are able. • For a school-aged child, please bring any school records Appointments: 984-974-9747 you have and a copy of the child's Individual Education Fax: 984-974-9786 Plan (IEP) or 504 plan from school, if there is one. If you decide that you no longer need an appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so that another patient may use the time that has been reserved for you. Meet Our Team Karla Thompson, PhD Peter Duquette, PhD Hanna Leong, PsyD Zachary Merz, PhD Matthew Harris, PhD, UNC PM&R Director of ABPP(CN) Psychological and Neuropsychological Services.