Rehabilitation Psychology/Neuropsychology

As a service of the Division of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, the Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology programs provide psychological assessment and treatment for children who have had a catastrophic illness or injury or who were born with a disability (usually physical). A team of highly trained child psychologists promotes normal development in infants, children, and adolescents, helping children who have a disability or chronic illness learn to cope with the extra demands of their medical condition while having a normal childhood. Psychologists also encourage children and their families to recognize children's achievements within the framework of their unique circumstances.

Services Available:

• Neuropsychological evaluations for children and adolescents with neurological dysfunction resulting from traumatic brain injury, strokes, seizures, cerebral palsy, and spina bifida
• Psychological evaluations for toddlers, children, and adolescents with acquired or congenital (present at birth) disability
• Individual and family therapy for survivors of traumatic injury or catastrophic illness
• Individual and family therapy for toddlers, children, and adolescents with disabilities
• Group therapy for adolescent survivors of catastrophic illness or injury
• Support group for adolescent females with amputations
• Evaluation of medication effects impacting attention span and thinking
• Parent consultation
• Consultation to schools

Typical Diagnoses/Problems:

• Traumatic Brain Injury - brain injury from a trauma (often a car accident, fall, or gunshot wound)
• Acquired Brain Injury - brain injury resulting from loss of oxygen to the brain when a person nearly drowns, suffers a stroke, or has a brain tumor
• Seizure disorders
• Spinal cord injury
• Amputation
• Spina bifida
• Reflex sympathetic dystrophy
• Burns
• Encephalitis
• Meningitis
• Stroke
• Brain tumor
• Cerebral palsy

Additional Resources:

The Rehabilitation Psychology and Neuropsychology programs answer patient and parent questions, and refer patients and their families to outside information sources and support networks such as:

• The National Information Center for Children and Youth with Disabilities
  P.O. Box 1492
  Washington, DC 20013
  (800) 695-0285
  Email: nichcy@aed.org
• National Rehabilitation Information Center
  Suite 935
  8455 Colesville Road
  Silver Spring, MD 20910-3319
  (800) 346-2742