Neuropsychology
Ebbinghaus, a famous psychologist, said about one hundred years ago that "psychology has a long past but a short history." The same can be said about neuropsychology. Although its beginnings can be traced back to the Greeks, it has not been until the last half of this century that neuropsychology became named, organized and accepted.
Human neuropsychology is the study of relationships between brain function and human behavior. The neuropsychologist is a professional psychologist with diagnostic skills and psychometric and therapeutic expertise applicable to behavioral problems related to brain disorders.
More and more, neuropsychologists are being asked to assess and treat functional problems associated with brain damage or dysfunction. For example, following a car accident, an eight year-old child hit his head, but suffered no loss of consciousness. He now has headaches and cannot seem to remember homework assignments as well as he could before the accident. A neuropsychologist can assess what parts of the brain are affected, what functions might be impaired, and what can one do to fix the problems.
Sometimes changes in brain function are not reflected in damage to the brain itself. For example, an open head injury caused by a gunshot wound clearly results in identifiable brain damage. But obvious structural brain changes caused by environmental toxins or a difficult birth would be most difficult to detect. Sometimes the term "cerebral dysfunction" or "brain dysfunction" is used to describe these situations where function or behavior has changed, yet brain damage is not identified. Childhood learning disorders might be seen as a type of "brain dysfunction." The value of neuropsychology in education has been seen in treatment planning for educational deficiencies.
Clinical neuropsychological services to children, adolescents and adults are available. Learning problems, as well as a variety of other brain dysfunctions and conditions of brain damage are seen. Assessment and diagnosis as well as therapy and rehabilitation are offered. Recent trends incorporated into the program include the use of behavior modification techniques and the use of computer-based therapy for learning problems and cognitive rehabilitation. Dr. Lindquist can also play a significant role in relating neuropsychological findings to the prediction of vocational and academic performance.
Evaluations are conducted by appointment.
Persons interested in learning about neuropsychological services are urged to call Jerry Lindquist, Ph.D., O.T.R. at (714) 563-6556.
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