[A pediatric neuropsychological evaluation].

BACKGROUND

Pediatric neuropsychology is currently one of the most expansive fields of psychology, developing between clinical neurology and other neurosciences.

THE AIM OF STUDY

This work presents the main possibilities of a pediatric neuropsychological evaluation in known clinical situations and the status of the neuropsychological profession.

DESCRIPTION

The necessity of evaluating the level of cognitive functioning in children from high risk groups, children with somatic, behavioural, emotional or developmental disorders was reminded. Clinical examples are described, when a neuropsychological evaluation of the child reveals important information, becoming a valuable part of the medical diagnosing process. Diagnostic methods most commonly used for assessing the level of cognitive functioning are presented, baring in mind its division into specific cognitive domains: executive functions, learning and memory, attention, visuo-motor and verbal skills. Most popular of the international and domestic IQ tests are described, including suggestions about testing children with various degrees of intellectual disability. Among the methods are tests for assessing children in age groups from 0-18. The authors described a neuropsychological interpretation of the evaluation results, including tests, behavioural observation, interviews and other diagnostic methods. Some limitations of the neuropsychological assessment methods are also mentioned, such as questionable ecological validity.

CONCLUSION

the knowledge of possibilities and the necessity of the neuropsychological evaluation in children should become much more common, especially in the medical environment. The status of the neuropsychologist in Poland need a precise legal regulation.