The neuropsychology service is for children and young people up to the age of 18 who are under the medical care of a consultant paediatric neurologist.
Our services
Children and young people come to us with a range of difficulties, including:
- Acquired cognitive (memory, attention and concentration), academic, behaviourial or social difficulties after incidents such as brain injuries, infection or stroke
- Difficulties with brain development after early problems such as cerebral palsy or neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis
- Struggling to cope or come to terms with a neurological diagnosis
- Neurologically unexplainable symptoms
- Psychological support for parents of seriously ill children on the children’s neurology ward.
What is a neuropsychologist?
The clinical neuropsychologists aim to understand and treat the difficulties that are caused by neurological illness or injury. They initially train in clinical psychology, but have additional specialist knowledge, training and expertise in brain behaviour relationships.
They use a range of different tests to assess problems with thinking abilities (i.e. concentration, memory, planning, problem solving), behavioural problems (i.e. anger, compulsions) and emotional problems (i.e. anxiety, depression, trauma). The assessment is used to help people manage these difficulties in the most appropriate way.
What will happen at my appointment?
During a first appointment with us, we usually see children who have emotional or behaviourial difficulties together with their parents. After that, children may be offered separate appointments – depending on their individual needs.
Appointments usually last between one and two hours, but this will be less for very young or very sick children. For specific types of neuropsychological assessment, we may see some children in school: this can take up to two hours.
After their appointment, families will usually be sent copies of reports and documents which are also sent to the paediatric neurologist who referred them to us.
How can I be referred into the service?
You can be referred into the service by your consultant paediatric neurologists or paediatrician.
Specialist nurses refer children and families to our service.
