School Psychology Practice in a Department of Neurology

Abstract

Although there is little consensus as to what services school psychologists should provide, they have long been viewed as diagnostic specialists. Such an actuarial based perspective can add valuable insight when providing services outside of the traditional educational setting. This article detailed how school psychologists can function effectively with both children and adults in a department of neurology. Services on this medical unit may include cognitive and emotional diagnostic evaluations, ongoing assessments to chart the course of a disorder and the development of realistic treatment goals and objectives. Most importantly, the patients response to rehabilitation is carefully monitored to determine the appropriateness of prescribed clinical interventions. It was concluded that training in school psychology can provide an excellent foundation for the provision of nontraditional neurologic/neuropsychological services in a medical setting.