The course aims to outline the phases and methodological aspects underlying a neuropsychological evaluation in the clinical and forensic fields. At the end of the course, the student must be able to (1) recognize which tools to use,(2) read the results of the main psychometric tests and (3) be able to use these results in order to write the main parts of a report or a clinical report.

The program is divided into 13 topics:

1) Introduction to clinical and forensic neuropsychology (Lesson 1)

2) Anamnesis and Semeiotics in neuropsychology (Lesson 2)

3) Psychometric evaluation and neuropsychological tests: methodological aspects (Lesson 3)

4) psychometric test scores: normative data, Z scores, adjusted scores, equivalent scores, cut-off (Lessons 4 and 5)

5) Interpretation of ambiguous test results (Lesson 6)

6) Tools for assessing intellectual functioning and global cognitive functioning (Lessons 7 and 8)

7) Tools for the evaluation of executive functions and attention (Lesson 9)

8) Tools for assessing language skills (Lessons 10 and 11)

9) Tools for assessing memory skills (Lesson 12 - 13)

10) Tools for assessing specific skills (Lessons 14)

11) The problem of simulation and assessment tools (Lesson 15)

12) The neuropsychological diagnosis and the preparation of the report (Lessons 16 and 17)

13) Ethical aspects in the neuropsychological field (Lesson 18)

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The student will have to show that he has

- Knowledge and understanding: acquired the methodological principles underlying the use of neuropsychological assessment tools in the clinical and forensic fields

- Applying knowledge and understanding: acquired the ability to interpret the results of the main neuropsychological assessment tools

- Making judgments: acquired the ability to use methodological knowledge and concepts for the description of a case and the ability to formulate a diagnostic hypothesis based on the scores obtained in neuropsychological tests

- Communication skills: acquired the specific language for the neuropsychological description and the preparation of a report

- Learning skills: Upon completion of the course, students will have acquired good autonomy in the selection of the most suitable tools for neuropsychological assessment in different contexts.

The teaching material prepared by the lecturer in addition to recommended textbooks (such as for instance slides, lecture notes, exercises, bibliography) and communications from the lecturer specific to the course can be found inside the Moodle platform › blended.uniurb.it

Seminars on the use of test tools and about the scoring procedures

Teaching

Lectures

Attendance

Not mandatory

Course books

Sara Mondini, Daniela Mapelli, Giorgio Arcara (2016). Semeiotica e diagnosi neuropsicologica: Metodologia per la valutazione. Carocci Editori (Cap 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8)

Vallar G., Papagno C. (III Edizione, che 2018). Manuale di neuropsicologia.Clinica ed elementi di riabilitazione. 3ª ed. Bologna: Il Mulino (Cap 5)

Stracciari, A., Bianchi, A., & Sartori, G. (2010). Neuropsicologia forense. Il mulino. (Cap 1, 4, 7, 8)

Assessment

15 multiple choice questions and 5 open questions to test the practical skills in interpreting the scores obtained by a patient to a series of tests and the underlying theoretical aspects

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

Teaching

Lectures

Attendance

Not mandatory

Course books

Sara Mondini, Daniela Mapelli, Giorgio Arcara (2016). Semeiotica e diagnosi neuropsicologica: Metodologia per la valutazione. Carocci Editori (Cap 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 8)

Vallar G., Papagno C. (III Edizione, che 2018). Manuale di neuropsicologia.Clinica ed elementi di riabilitazione. 3ª ed. Bologna: Il Mulino (Cap 5)

Stracciari, A., Bianchi, A., & Sartori, G. (2010). Neuropsicologia forense. Il mulino. (Cap 1, 4, 7, 8)

Assessment

15 multiple choice questions and 5 open questions in order to test the practical skills in reading the scores obtained by a patient in a series of tests illustrated in class and the underlying theoretical aspects.

The student must take at least 18 in both tests and the final mark will correspond to the average of the two evaluations.

Each multiple choice question will be worth two points. For open-ended questions we will use the following evaluation scheme:

Less than 18: insufficient level of competence.

18-20: sufficient level of competence.

21-23: fully sufficient level of competence.

24-26: good level of competence.

27-30: excellent level of competence.

30 cum laude: excellent level of competence.

Disability and Specific Learning Disorders (SLD)

Students who have registered their disability certification or SLD certification with the Inclusion and Right to Study Office can request to use conceptual maps (for keywords) during exams.

To this end, it is necessary to send the maps, two weeks before the exam date, to the course instructor, who will verify their compliance with the university guidelines and may request modifications.

None