Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology

by Elisabeth M.S. Sherman (Editor), Brian L. Brooks (Editor)

Overview

Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology is the authoritative, definitive reference on the practice and process of civil forensic neuropsychological assessment of children and adolescents. With chapters authored by top experts in the field of pediatric neuropsychology and forensic neuropsychology, this book provides critical, knowledgeable, and expert information for clinicians, attorneys, physicians and other professionals involved in forensic pediatric neuropsychological assessment.

Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology covers core theoretical and practical topics including the role of pediatric neuropsychology in the courtroom, ethics, test selection, advanced interpretation of test results, tools for assessing sub-optimal performance, differential diagnosis of malingering and related conditions, and factors such as culture and pre-morbid conditions. In addition, in-depth review and clinical case descriptions of mild traumatic brain injury, moderate to severe traumatic brain injury, medical malpractice, the independent educational evaluation, and the diagnosis of psychological and psychiatric conditions such as secondary ADHD in the context of the forensic neuropsychological evaluation are covered in detail. The book also includes a toolbox of forms useful for conducting clinical forensic evaluations which will be of particular interest to practicing clinicians.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780199734566
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	01/30/2012
Pages:	400
Product dimensions:	6.20(w) x 9.30(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Elisabeth M.S. Sherman is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary, a neuropsychologist at Alberta Children's Hospital, the Director of the Brain Health program at the Copeman Healthcare Clinic in Calgary, a neuropsychologist in private practice, and an author of A Compendium of Neuropsychological Tests, Third Edition.

Brian L. Brooks is a neuropsychologist and Director of the Pediatric Neuropsychology Fellowship at the Alberta Children's Hospital and an Adjunct Assistant Professor in the Departments of Pediatrics and Clinical Neurosciences in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of Calgary.

Table of Contents

Contributors
Introduction

PART ONE: Theoretical, Conceptual, and Psychometric Issues in Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology

1. Pediatric Neuropsychology in Forensic Proceedings: Roles and Procedures in the Courtroom and Beyond
Jerry J. Sweet and Michael Westerveld

2. Ethical Issues in Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology
Shane S. Bush, William S. MacAllister, and Alan Goldberg

3. Basic Psychometrics and Test Selection for an Independent Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology Evaluation
Cecil R. Reynolds and Arthur MacNeill Horton, Jr.

4. Improving Accuracy When Identifying Cognitive Impairment in Pediatric Neuropsychological Assessments
Brian L. Brooks and Grant L. Iverson

5. Interpreting Change in Repeated Neuropsychological Assessments of Children
Grant L. Iverson

6. Differential Diagnosis of Malingering and Related Clinical Presentations
Daniel J. Slick and Elisabeth M.S. Sherman

7. Overview of Tests and Techniques to Detect Negative Response Bias in Children
Michael W. Kirkwood

8. Forensic Issues in Neuropsychological Assessment: Culture and Language
Danielle N. Landwher and Antolin M. Llorente

9. Interpretive Confounds in the Independent Pediatric Neuropsychological Evaluation
Jacobus Donders

PART TWO: Applied Clinical Issues in Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology

10. Independent Neuropsychological Evaluation of Children With Mild Traumatic Brain Injury
Gerard A. Gioia, Christopher G. Vaughan, and Peter K. Isquith

11. Independent Neuropsychological Evaluation of Children With Moderate to Severe Traumatic Brain Injury
Keith Owen Yeates

12. Preinjury and Secondary Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder in Pediatric Traumatic Brain Injury Forensic Cases
Jeffrey E. Max, Russell J. Schachar, and Tisha J. Ornstein

13. Independent Neuropsychological Evaluation of Children in Medical Malpractice Cases
Ida Sue Baron and Joel E. Morgan

14. Neuropsychological Contributions to Independent Education Evaluations: Forensic Perspectives
Lisa G. Hahn and Joel E. Morgan

PART THREE: The Pediatric Forensic Toolbox

Exhibit A. Sample Consultant-Attorney Agreement
Exhibit B. Sample Pediatric Forensic Informed Consent Form (Short Version)
Exhibit C. Sample Pediatric Forensic Informed Consent Form (Longer Version)
Exhibit D. Sample Letter to Parents About Neuropsychological Assessment
Exhibit E. Sample Letter to Teacher About Neuropsychological Assessment
Exhibit F. Sample Consent Form for Release of Information From School
Exhibit G. Checklist for a Pediatric Independent Neuropsychological Evaluation Interview
Exhibit H. Sample Traumatic Brain Injury Interview Form
Exhibit I. Sample Background and History Questionnaire

Index

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Christopher J Graver, PhD, ABPP-CN(Madigan Healthcare System)
Description: Forensic neuropsychology is a burgeoning field, garnering increasing attention as it pertains to particular training and skill sets needed to engage in this type of practice. However, pediatric neuropsychology can be altogether different in terms of the clinical cases and expertise needed. This book provides the information necessary for practicing in this realm.
Purpose: The purpose is to provide information on the core theoretical and practical aspects of clinical pediatric forensic neuropsychology.
Audience: As is obvious from the title, the book is aimed at neuropsychologists who provide forensic evaluations and testimony for children. Advanced students of neuropsychology also will find this of interest.
Features: The first chapter sets the tone for the book, and the second chapter immediately addresses issues pertinent to pediatric practice, such as consent and assent, as well as third-party observers (e.g., parents). This is followed by a chapter on psychometrics with specific attention to admissibility in court. The book brings up a number of excellent issues, including normal variability and factors associated with low scores other than neuropathology. There are excellent discussions of measuring change and several methodologies to accurately assess this. Later on, the book covers the issue of symptom validity in some depth, with chapters on diagnostic issues and specific measures used to detect noncredible responding. Other chapters are dedicated to specific injuries or disorders that are common in forensic pediatric practice, such as ADHD and traumatic brain injury, with thorough reviews of the literature and discussion of diagnostic challenges. The book ends with chapters on specific types of evaluations, such as educational or medical malpractice. The book covers key issues, and it explores some sample questions and answers in the context of testimony with regard to their appropriateness and possible pitfalls. The references are reasonably current and the index is helpful.
Assessment: This book is highly recommended for anyone engaged or thinking about engaging in pediatric forensic neuropsychology. There is unparalleled coverage of oft-forgotten issues in assessment that will assist clinicians under scrutiny, and the information is frequently specific to pediatric evaluations without being redundant or generic, as tends to be the case with so many forensic books.

Doody's Review Service

"This is the first volume devoted to the unique issues and challenges of forensic neuropsychology practice with children. The content is comprehensive, covering critical issues (statistical, clinical, and legal) across a variety of neuropsychologist roles and forensic venues. The author list is a veritable Who's Who in pediatric and forensic neuropsychology. This is sure to be the next 'desk reference' in our field." — Philip S. Fastenau, PhD, Professor & Director of Clinical Neuropsychology, Department of Neurology, Case Western Reserve University

"This book represents an excellent contribution to the field of pediatric neuropsychology... This book is highly recommended to those who plan to practice forensic work as well as those who may be hesitant to become involved. Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology is not only a must have to those newly entering the field, but can be useful for those in training and for seasoned professionals who can rely on the data and research in this text to guide their decision making when dealing with the legal system." — Thomas G. Burns, Psy.D., ABPP-CN, Director of Neuropsychology & Chief of Psychology, Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Applied Neuropsychology: Child

"This book is highly recommended for anyone engaged or thinking about engaging in pediatric forensic neuropsychology. There is unparalleled coverage of oft-forgotten issues in assessment that will assist clinicians under scrutiny, and the information is frequently specific to pediatric evaluations without being redundant or generic, as tends to be the case with so many forensic books." — DOODY'S

"This book represents an excellent contribution to the field of pediatric neuropsychology... This book is highly recommended to those who plan to practice forensic work as well as those who may be hesitant to become involved. Pediatric Forensic Neuropsychology is not only a must have to those newly entering the field, but can be useful for those in training and for seasoned professionals who can rely on the data and research in this text to guide their decision making when dealing with the legal system." — Thomas G. Burns, Psy.D.,Applied Nueropsychology: Child

From the Publisher