PSY6163 Neuropsychological assessment and neuropsychological syndromes
Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences
PSY6163 Neuropsychological assessment and neuropsychological syndromes is a level 6, 0-credit-point, postgraduate unit from the Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences, offered in 2022 in Semester 2 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 0
- Offered in 2022
- Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 7 tasks
This is the 2022 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Overview
This subject has two components. In the Neuropsychological Assessment component, 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 quantitative and qualitative approaches designed to assess cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning in the context of brain impairment. They will learn how to select assessment methods most appropriate to specific clinical contexts and how to administer, score and interpret neuropsychological measures. 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 Neuropsychological Syndromes component is designed to support students’ understanding and learning of neuropsychological syndromes, and to begin to develop relevant core competencies. The purpose of this unit is to build an understanding of common neuropsychological syndromes that can be drawn on in the clinical world. This will include the neuropathology, presentation, and neuropsychological profile of various syndromes, in addition to the specific approach to neuropsychological assessment. Relevant psychosocial considerations and treatment approaches will also be covered.
Although core underpinnings remain foundational across all areas of Neuropsychology, a varied knowledge base, outlook and skill set is also required in areas of specialty. For this reason, classes within this unit will be delivered by guest lecturers who are experts in their field. Neuropsychological syndromes covered include: traumatic brain injury, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, neuropsychiatric disorders, cerebrovascular disorders, HIV-related disorders, neoplasms, drug and alcohol-related disorders, dementias, and epilepsy.
Offerings in 2022
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Neuropsychological Assessment: Test Kits & Problem-Based Learning TasksCompetency hurdle-
- Neuropsychological Assessment: Case 115%
- Neuropsychological Assessment: Case 215%
- Neuropsychological Assessment: Case 320%
- Neuropsychological Syndromes Weekly Questions36%
- Neuropsychological Syndromes Summative Case Components14%
- Neuropsychological Syndromes Toolkit: Cheat Sheet (group task)-
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Critically evaluate a wide range of neuropsychological tests and scales designed to assess numerous aspects of cognitive, behavioural and emotional functioning
- 2
Plan and administer neuropsychological assessments, including both qualitative and quantitative methods, appropriate to specific clinical contexts and referrals (e.g. across the lifespan, cross-cultural assessment etc.)
- 3
Interpret and integrate information obtained during neuropsychological assessment to formulate a comprehensive analysis of an individual's neuropsychological function
- 4
Disseminate neuropsychological assessment findings across a range of formats (reports, verbal feedback) and audiences (other clinicians, clients, family).
- 5
Describe the neuropathology / causes and summarise the key characteristics of presented neuropsychological syndromes
- 6
Compare and contrast neuropsychological profiles across the various syndromes.
- 7
Devise assessment plans, for specific neuropsychological syndromes. including history taking approaches and formal testing
- 8
Utilise skills from Neuropsychological Assessment to formulate neuropsychological cases and provide recommendations relevant to the syndromes within this unit.
- 9
Appraise the neuropsychological approach / role for working with clients (and families / key others) and develop clinical ‘top tips’ for the various neuropsychological syndromes.
- 10
Demonstrate foundation skills in developing appropriate recommendations and interventions for cases provided
Workload and teaching
- Seminars48 hours
- Teaching approachRole play
Lectures; seminars; case-based teaching; problem-based learning; peer assisted learning; role plays.
We work hard to ensure Neuropsychological Assessment and Syndromes is a useful, rewarding, and enjoyable learning experience. For this to be successful, students will also be required to actively participate in their learning. Just like we work in a client-centred manner as Neuropsychologists, we aim to be student-centred in teaching and will often seek your feedback in various forms. Active learning is a mainstay in our classes. We hope this supports you to own your learning, participate, collaborate, and think critically; all skills required beyond the classroom.
Learning resources
Required resources
See Moodle for details about required resources.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Associate Professor Rene Stolwyk
- Dr Jessica Trevena-Peters
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Jessica Trevena-Peters
- Associate Professor Rene Stolwyk
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for PSY6163?
PSY6163 has no prerequisites.
When is PSY6163 offered?
In 2022, PSY6163 runs in Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does PSY6163 have an exam?
No. PSY6163 has 7 assessment tasks and no exam.