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Independent Study - Seanna Bellinger
PSY 499- Exploring Neuropsychological Assessment
My primary reason for engaging in this independent study with Bob Swoap was to gain exposure to a field of psychology that has not been offered since I’ve been a student here at Warren Wilson College. I’ve always had interests in neuropsychology but only recently have I expanded my interests to include clinical neuropsychology. My goal was to learn more about the field of clinical neuropsychology by broadly exploring one factor of the discipline. I chose to focus on neuropsychological assessment because it’s something that I’ve had no previous exposure to and something that I would like to pursue further in graduate school. In particular, neuropsychological assessment appeals to me because it provides a way for clinicians to not only assess disorders but it also provides clues to specific areas in the brain that may be involved in questioned maladaptive behaviors. I incorporated independent reading, discussions with Bob, and neuropsychological assessment observations to explore the topic of my independent study.
I read multiple chapters from both the “Handbook of Psychological Assessment” and “Clinical Neuropsychology: A Pocket Handbook for Assessment” to learn about various aspects of neuropsychological assessment. I wrote reflection papers on all of my readings to facilitate conversations with Bob about what I had read and what I took away from the readings. My reflection papers focused on the multiple facets that a clinician must juggle before, during, and after giving a neuropsychological examination. A clinician must be very perceptive and detail oriented, while still being capable of stepping back to look at the big picture to give an accurate diagnosis. I also focused on the type of referral environments that clinicians have the opportunity to work in such as a psychiatric setting, a medical setting, a legal setting, an educational setting, and a psychological clinic to name a few. Some of my reflections focused on a more in depth look at neuropsychological assessment starting with its history. The use of neuropsychological batteries in the United States began in the 1950’s with Halstead, Reitan, and Goldstein. While the focus of neuropsychological assessment has shifted some throughout history, many of the early tests are still used today. I also examined an array of cognitive abilities and the many types of tests most commonly used to measure those abilities. I explored the different types of neuroimaging techniques and how the technology has become a useful tool for clinicians today. I wanted to learn more about the role of neuroimaging in clinical neuropsychology because I have a particular interest in doing neuroimaging research one day. Lastly, I reflected on the use of bedside neurological examinations, which are most often used in hospitals or assisted living facilities when the patient is often incapable of going through a full neuropsychological assessment because of limitations associated with their condition. Bedside examinations allow clinicians to perform diagnostic procedures quickly, efficiently, and economically while still ensuring breadth and depth.
I was fortunate enough to see some of the things I read about neuropsychological assessment being applied in a clinical setting. I was able to observe Bob Swoap give a bedside neurological examination at Magnolia Health Care Center, which is an assisted living facility. Bob went over the procedure with me prior to visiting Magnolia so I could be better prepared. Once I arrived at Magnolia, I was able to go through the patient’s medical history with Bob. I was also allowed to sit next to him as he administered the neurological examination which contained multiple measures. As Bob administered the examination, I took notes on the procedure, my observations of the patient, and the patient’s performance. At a later date, I was able to go through my notes to compare my observations with the readings and then discuss the process with Bob. Overall, it was a very enriching experience that provided a nice closure to my independent study because it allowed me to make better connections with the readings by witnessing first hand the application of neuropsychological assessment.