TCN LGBTQ+ Survey Study

Learning Objectives:

1. List two personal or professional factors that predict mental health providers’ engagement in LGBTQ+ identity-affirming clinical practice.

2. Describe the current state of education/training on LGBTQ+ topics.

Anthony N. Correro II, Kate L. M. Hinrichs, Mira C. Krishnan, Maria Easter Cottingham, Emily H. Trittschuh, Brett A. Parmenter, Jinkyung Kang & Julija Stelmokas (2022) Neuropsychological assessment with lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer/questioning (LGBTQ+) individuals: Practice, education, and training survey, The Clinical Neuropsychologist, DOI: 10.1080/13854046.2022.2148379

Cumulative Neurological Factors Associated with Long-term Outcomes in Adult Survivors of Childhood Brain Tumors

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss how the Neurological Predictor Scale (NPS) relates to intellectual and adaptive outcomes 15 years post diagnosis in adult survivors of pediatric brain tumors.
2. Discuss how the NPS may aid research on the neurological complexity that contributes to outcomes of survivors of pediatric brain tumors.

King, T. Z., & Na, S. (2016). Cumulative neurological factors associated with long-term outcomes in adult survivors of childhood brain tumors. Child Neuropsychology22(6), 748-760.

Cognitive training programs for childhood cancer patients and survivors: A critical review and future directions

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss past and current cognitive training programs intended to remediate or prevent neurocognitive deficits among pediatric cancer patients and survivors.
2. Discuss training program strengths and weaknesses, as well as increase familiarity with future directions for clinical care and research.

Olson, K., & Sands, S. A. (2016). Cognitive training programs for childhood cancer patients and survivors: A critical review and future directions. Child Neuropsychology22(5), 509-536.

Expert beliefs and practices regarding neuropsychological validity testing

Learning Objectives:
1. Discuss validity testing experts’ beliefs and practices regarding concepts central to neuropsychological validity testing.
2. Discuss how validity testing experts’ responses agreed or disagreed to responses from a general sample of neuropsychologists.

Schroeder, R. W., Martin, P. K., & Odland, A. P. (2016). Expert beliefs and practices regarding neuropsychological validity testing. The Clinical Neuropsychologist30, 515-535.

Adult Learning Disabilities and ADHD: Research-Informed Assessment

Based on the author’s popular workshop, this concise volume provides scientific and practical guidance on assessing learning disabilities and ADHD in adults. It includes instructions for accessing the author’s downloadable PowerPoints, as well as a Continuing Education component (3 credits) that is administered by the American Academy of Clinical Neuropsychology.

Topics include definitions of disability (including legal definitions), assessment, and management approaches (from medications and therapy to educational and workplace accommodations), and assistive technology and software. Three case examples are provided, along with a sample report. The book is aimed at clinical neuropsychologists and clinical psychologists who are involved in the assessment and management of adults with learning disabilities and/or ADHD.

Mapou, R. L. (2008). Adult learning disabilities and ADHD: Research-informed assessment. Oxford University Press.

The Business of Neuropsychology

The purpose of this text is to provide an overview of basic business principles and how they can be used to enhance the stability and fiscal responsibility of neuropsychological practice. The principles discussed are are defined and information is provided to guide practical application of the concepts. The book is designed to benefit professionals at varying levels of practice regardless of their work setting, but focuses primarily on the issues related to neuropsychological practice.

Graduate school catalogs and training program brochures reveal a broad array of educational opportunities designed to prepare future professionals for independent practice in neuropsychology. However, little is offered to prepare neuropsychologists for the business realities that await them in the workplace. The expectation that they will simply see patients and do quality clinical work is often in conflict with institutional goals of making money so that the doors can remain open. The result can be a cataclysmic “crash” when altruistic ideals meet capitalistic needs. The concepts of “cash is king” and “no margin, no mission” are foreign to most neuropsychologists until our own fiscal bottom line is affected.

The Business of Neuropsychology also contains an overview of business “basics,” such as budget and fiscal tracking, strategies for communicating with stakeholders in the business, front and back office flow and processes, billing, coding, marketing, referral relationship development, and staff growth and development.

Barisa, M. (2010). The Business of Neuropsychology. Oxford University Press.

Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia: Definitions, Diagnosis and Treatment

In 2011, National Institute on Aging and Alzheimer’s Association joint task forces released proposed criteria for Alzheimer’ disease diagnosis. These proposals included revisions to the nearly 30-year-old NINDS-ADRDA criteria for Alzheimer’s diagnosis and added criteria for diagnosis of Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) due to Alzheimer’s disease. The same year the American Psychiatric Association proposed new criteria for major and minor neurocognitive disorders (the entities previously known as dementia and mild cognitive impairment, respectively). These new criteria reflect the research and clinical advances in identifying mild cognitive impairment and offer new opportunities for prevention, treatment, and management of neurodegenerative conditions.

A major focus of this book is on the mild cognitive impairment prodrome of the common dementias. In addition to discussing the most common neurodegenerative conditions, many rare neurodegenerative conditions are highlighted. Most chapters include an autopsy-confirmed case presentation from the authors’ files. Following the case presentation, those chapters present current diagnostic criteria, epidemiology, neuropathology/neurophysiology, genetics, neuroimaging studies as relevant, associated clinical features, differential neuropsychological features and possible interventions for each disorder.

The pace of change in research and practice in the field of normal cognitive aging and dementia is increasing almost as fast as the median age of the population. The massive baby boom population bubble is currently entering the age of risk for neurodegenerative conditions. Neuropsychologists will play a major role in refining and applying these diagnoses, and in developing, testing, and refining interventions for these diagnoses, and in caring for this population. This book is intended to prepare neuropsychologists and others interested in neuropsychology to serve this fastest growing segment of our population.

Smith, G. E., & Bondi, M. W. (2013). Mild cognitive impairment and dementia: Definitions, diagnosis, and treatment. Oxford University Press.