|
Department of Pediatrics > Psychology Internship > Internship Rotations > Pediatric Neuropsychology Rotation
Pediatric Neuropsychology Rotation
The Pediatric Neuropsychology rotation is in the Division of Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience of the Department of Pediatrics. It provides a multidisciplinary diagnostic service for children with complex learning and behavioral disorders associated with neurological and neurodevelopmental disorders. Children are referred by schools, clinics, practitioners in the community, and health professionals at The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview. The Division of Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience serves the community, state, five-state area, and, for specific disease entities, the entire country. The clinical orientation of the staff is developmental. The approach to neuropsychology is to integrate knowledge from multiple sources (e.g., parents, schools, other involved agencies) to quantify functional deficits developmentally in association with knowledge gained from neurological examinations, diagnostic imaging, neurophysiological, genetic, and other laboratory studies, and medical and psychosocial records. The goal of this rotation is to provide training in pediatric neuropsychology which emphasizes the scientist-practitioner model. Although interns¿ experience is primarily clinically based, there are also academic aspects to this experience, including weekly didactic and related training events, opportunities for research participation, and preparation for a postdoctoral fellowship in pediatric neuropsychology. It is strongly preferred, but not required, that interns who participate in this rotation will have undertaken basic coursework and/or practicum level training in child or adult neuropsychological assessment prior to the internship.
Neuropsychological diagnostic services are provided for children with neurodevelopmental disorders (e.g., attention deficit disorder, autism, dyslexia, developmental aphasia, learning disabilities, and mental retardation) and for neurological disorders such as epilepsy, Tourette s syndrome and movement disorders, head trauma, sequelae of infectious diseases (e.g., meningitis and encephalitis), various forms of cancer, neurotoxic conditions, congenital disorders (e.g., agenesis of the corpus collosum, hydrocephalus), degenerative and genetic disorders, and migraine and tension headaches. Pediatric neuropsychologists and trainees attend brain tumor clinic, genetics clinic, craniofacial clinic, and selected other clinics. Psychiatric disorders such as depression, anxiety, and conduct disturbances especially in children with possible attentional and learning difficulties and somatoform disorders are also commonly assessed. Diagnostic evaluations typically comprise two half-day visits in the Pediatric Neuropsychology Clinic. Faculty and trainees meet in a weekly teaching case conference between patients' two visits to discuss initial data and to plan the second visit.
As part of the diagnostic process, interns organize and integrate information about patients and families, including medical and neurological data, neuropsychological assessment data, educational information, interview observations and other data and related history. The focus is on cognitive functioning as well as behavioral and emotional aspects of children¿s functioning. Both environmental and biological factors are considered in evaluating children in the Pediatric Neuropsychology Clinic. Interns refine skills involving neuropsychological assessment and assessment of emotional and social development through interviews, objective measures, and projective personality techniques. Interns are supervised closely on every case. At the end of patients¿ second visits, interns receive direct case supervision to promote formulation of diagnostic impressions and treatment recommendations. Interns then participate in feedback meetings in which the results of assessments are communicated to parents. Interns prepare chart notes documenting patient visits, complete formal neuropsychological reports for patients medical records, and correspond appropriately with physicians and other involved professionals.
In addition to diagnostic assessment and case formulation, interns are expected to follow through with patients to facilitate use of appropriate resources in The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview or the community. Many patients with neurological and neurodevelopmental difficulties are monitored periodically by both a pediatric neuropsychologist and a pediatric neurologist. This is especially true for patients who are required to take medications and for patients whose interventions require periodic reassessment. Because The University of Minnesota Medical Center, Fairview is a tertiary care center, monitoring treatments of rare and complicated disorders including transplants, epilepsy surgery, brain tumors, and experimental medication is also conducted, as part of both clinical and research protocols. Also, emphasis is placed on providing consultation regarding educational planning. Meetings with school personnel and telephone consultation regarding placement and interventions are important facets of the consultative process in this rotation.
Neuropsychological consultation on the inpatient medical and psychiatric patient care units and other pediatric inpatient units also is part of interns¿ clinical experience. Interns attend Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience conference on Wednesday mornings. When topics are relevant, attendance at Grand Rounds for the Departments of Neurology and Pediatrics is encouraged. Opportunities to learn about brain-behavior relationships from a developmental standpoint are abundant in informal and formal contexts on the Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience rotation. Interns attend a didactic seminar in neuropsychology and present cases at the weekly Pediatric Neuropsychology conference. The neuropsychology seminar includes weekly didactic presentations by the neuropsychology staff or invited guest lecturers. In addition interns attend a weekly meeting that alternates between a seminar on Topics in Clinical Neuropsychological Assessment and a Test Conference in which current neuropsychological measures are reviewed.
Research opportunities are varied in the Pediatric Neuropsychology rotation. Ongoing studies address childhood dementia, effects of bone marrow transplants, issues in cancer survivorship, aggression and temper tantrums, and other topics. Interns may participate in a research project during the year, either independently or as part of a larger project.
Interns typically undertake three neuropsychological evaluations per week on the Pediatric Neuropsychology rotation. Two days per week are not scheduled for assessments in the Pediatric Neuropsychology Clinic so interns have time to attend training activities, devote attention to clinical management issues, and participate in other professional activities, such as psychotherapy or research. However, at times, interns may be expected to undertake inpatient consultations in addition to their outpatient responsibilities. On the Pediatric Neuropsychology rotation, Interns develop a relationship with a mentor but also are supervised by all of the participating supervisors on the rotation.
Interns who are qualified may consider postdoctoral fellowships in Pediatric Neuropsychology which are sometimes available following the internship year. Several interns have remained within the Pediatric Neuropsychology Division as postdoctoral fellows after completing the internship. In recent years this has included 1994-95: two interns; 1996-97: one intern; 1997-98: one intern; 1998-99: two interns; 2000-01: one intern; 2001-02: two interns; 2002-03 two interns; 2003-04 one intern; 2004-05 one intern; 2005-06 one intern; 2006-07; one intern.
Interns on the Pediatric Neuropsychology rotation are required to attend a variety of conferences and may choose to attend additional elective conferences. Interns clarify expectations for attendance with Pediatric Neuropsychology supervisors.
| Monday: | - Case supervision in clinic: 8:30-9:00 A.M. and after evaluations(generally for a half hour before feedback) in PWB 5th Floor Neuropsychology Clinic Conference Room.
- Pediatric Neuropsychology Case Conference-2:30 to 3:30 P.M.in PWB 13-104/106.
- Topics in Clinical Neuropsychological Assessment or Test Conference (alternating Mondays) 3:30-4:00 in PWB 13-104/106.
|
| Tuesday: | - Case supervision in clinic: 8:30-9:00 A.M. and after evaluations(generally for a half hour before feedback) in PWB 5th Floor Neuropsychology Clinic Conference Room.
|
| Wednesday: | - Weekly Conference of the Division of Pediatric Clinical Neuroscience-7:30 A.M.-8:30 A.M.in the Neurology Conference Room (PWB 12-109).
- Case supervision in clinic: 8:30-9:00 A.M. and after evaluations(generally for a half hour before feedback) in PWB 5th Floor Neuropsychology Clinic Conference Room.
- Neuropsychology Didactics-3:00-4:00 P.M.in PWB 6-210 This is a teaching conference addressing functional neuropsychology.
|
| Thursday: | - Case supervision in clinic: 8:30-9:00 A.M. and after evaluations(generally for a half hour before feedback) in PWB 5th Floor Neuropsychology Clinic Conference Room.
- Neuropsychology Journal Club/Professional Development Conference (alternating Thursdays)-3:30-4:30 P.M.in PWB 6-224. Participation in these neuropsychology meetings is optional for interns.
|
| Friday: | - Case supervision in clinic: 8:30-9:00 A.M. and after evaluations(generally for a half hour before feedback) in PWB 5th Floor Neuropsychology Clinic Conference Room.
|
|
Feedback | Notice of Privacy Practices
|
|
|
Return to: Department of Pediatrics : Medical School : Academic Health Center : myU : U of M Home
