1. TBI, Cognitive Deficits, and Multi-modal Learning
Heather Pedersen, Ph.D., ABPP

2. What is neuropsychology?
Clinical neuropsychology is a specialty field within clinical psychology, dedicated to understanding the relationships between brain and behavior, particularly as these relationships can be applied to the diagnosis of brain disorder(s), assessment of cognitive and behavioral functioning, and the design of effective treatment.

3. Neuropsychologists … Who I am How I got here
A clinical neuropsychologist is an independent, professional, doctoral level psychologist who provides assessment and intervention services to people of all ages, based upon the scientific concepts of clinical neuropsychology.
Training in clinical neuropsychology comprises a broad background in clinical/counseling psychology, as well as specialized training and experience in clinical neuropsychology.

6. Domains Attention Language Processing Speed
Verbal and Nonverbal Intelligence
Verbal and Nonverbal Memory
Visuospatial
Motor and Sensory
Executive Functions
Emotional
Functional

7. When the brain malfunctions…
Psychiatric Conditions
Medical Conditions
Depression
Anxiety
Schizophrenia
Bipolar Disorder
ADHD
Learning Disabilities
CVAs
Dementias
Epilepsy
Brain Tumors
Hypoxia/Anoxia
Movement Disorders
Multiple Sclerosis
CNS infections/ acute processes
Genetic Disorders
Down Syndrome, Fragile X, etc.
TBI

8. TBI

9. Normative vs Ipsative Analysis
Inter- vs intra-individual
Personal strengths / weaknesses
Maximize strengths to compensate for weaknesses

10. Rehabilitation Cognitive Rehabilitation Multi-Modal Learning Language
Visual-spatial
Attention
Working memory
Processing speed
Memory
Executive functions
Auditory
Visual
Kinesthetic

11. Attention Strategies Sleep enough Take breaks Exercise Pace yourself
Be open to help
Avoid interruptions
Cut distractions
Keep it simple

12. Attention continued Active Mental Effort = being intentional
Using Self-Talk = yes, talking to yourself IS adaptive!!
Demonstration….

13. Attention continued LEAP into conversations: 1) Listen actively
2) Eliminate distractions
3) Ask questions
4) Paraphrase

14. Memory Strategies Deciding what is important Simplifying information
Reducing the amount of information
Making information personally meaningful

15. Memory continued Writing things down Association Categorizing/grouping
Acronyms
Rhyming

16. Memory continued Visual Imagery Method of Loci Overlearning
Mental retracing
Alphabetic searching
Recreating the context

17. Memory continued
External Strategies: ones that rely on things outside your head
(in your environment)
Calendar / iPad / Cell Phone
Lists / Notes / Appointment cards
Sticky notes
Notebook
“Can’t Miss” reminders
Automatic places
Writing on your hand
Filing boxes
Timers / Alarms / Watches
Voic reminders (calling yourself)
ing yourself

18. Visual Learning

19. Auditory Learning

20. Kinesthetic learning