Acute Neuropsychology

Paediatric Neuropsychology can provide services to children aged 0-18 when they are current inpatients at Monash Children’s Hospital or have been discharged from hospital within the last 30-days.

Neuropsychologists are skilled in the assessment and understanding of the effects of brain function on the child’s cognitive, behavioural and emotional states. The neuropsychologist works as part of an integrated interdisciplinary team alongside allied health professionals, nursing and medical staff to provide children, young people and their families with expert services to improve health outcomes.

Neuropsychology can assist by:

• Providing education and support about the impact of a brain injury or illness
• Assessment to understand current level of cognitive, learning and behavioural functioning
• Developing Behavioural Management Plans
• Cognitive remediation/rehabilitation strategies to help everyday function

Some common conditions that neuropsychologists work with include:

• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) such as motor vehicle accidents, falls
• Stroke
• Epilepsy
• Concussion
• Cancer and brain tumour
• Hydrocephalus

The neuropsychologist can provide input to help better under understand a child’s cognitive, developmental and behavioural state. The key services the neuropsychologist can offer include:

• secondary or tertiary consultation
• assessment and feedback of a child to better understand the child’s abilities (strengths and weaknesses) to assist in the establishment of appropriate interventions
• an understanding of a child’s cognitive and psychosocial state, as critical for medical treatment planning, or in managing non-compliance with treatment
• help understanding a child’s strengths/weaknesses and behaviour, in order to assist the treating team/allied health/nursing staff provide the best quality of care
• neuropsychological input into treatment planning and programme implementation
• advice and recommendations regarding the optimal return to home and school activities
• consultation or second opinion for children who present unresolved diagnostic dilemmas
• an opinion of the impact of a child’s developmental, cognitive or learning difficulties on their functioning
• liaison with ward staff about the behaviour of neurocognitive deficits associated with key medical illness which may affect the CNS or brain function, such as prematurity, diabetes, leukemia, heart disease etc;
• support to ward staff around management of patients with neurocognitive difficulties

We have particular experience in the assessment and management:

• Of children who present with complex developmental, cognitive, or learning difficulties in the context of a chronic medical disorder
• Of children who present with challenging developmental, learning, behavioural or academic difficulties, where assessment requires a high degree of specialised knowledge and skill
• Of children who present with an identified or suspected neurobiological disorder eg. Epilepsy
• Of children with an acquired a brain injury as a result of head injury, cerebral infection anoxia etc (unless they are managed by the Paediatric Rehabilitation Services)
• Children with a medical illness which may affect the CNS or brain function, such as prematurity, diabetes, leukaemia, heart disease etc.
• Of children who present with an identified neurological disorder

General information about psychologists and community psychological services can be found on the Australian Psychological Society website.

Referrals should be made whilst inpatients or within 30 days of discharge from inpatient status. Referrals to acute neuropsychology services is via a medical consultant, nursing staff or allied health clinicians.

Referring staff are required to complete the Consultation Referral Form and return via mail, fax or email to:

Acute Neuropsychology,
Children’s Therapies Clinic, Level 2
Monash Children’s Hospital
246 Clayton Road, Clayton 3168

Phone: (03) 8572 3003
Fax: (03) 8572 3048
Email: paediatricneuropsychology@monashhelath.org
Hours of Service: Wednesday 8.00am- 4.30pm