Neuropsychological assessment in clinical evaluation of children and adolescents with complex trauma
Date
2008
Journal Title
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Volume Title
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Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma
Abstract
Complex trauma (i.e., exposure to chronic, interpersonal trauma in childhood) has
been associated with structural and functional alterations in brain development,
which in turn can result in cognitive and neuropsychological deficits. The goal of
combining neuropsychological assessment with standard trauma specialty evaluation
is to gain a comprehensive understanding of each child’s unique set of cognitive
strengths and weaknesses and associated behavioral manifestations within a
trauma-informed framework. This process can be a vital aide in diagnosing, conceptualizing,
and designing effective interventions for traumatized youth and avoiding
the common misdiagnoses that lead to ineffective treatment. This paper presents
a trauma-informed approach to neuropsychological assessment, using two case
studies to illustrate the process of integrating neuropsychological testing with
trauma specialty evaluation.
Description
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Article
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Keywords
neuropsychological assessment, complex trauma, brain development, evaluation
Citation
Gabowitz, D., Zucker, M., & Cook, A. (2008). Neuropsychological assessment in clinical evaluation of children and adolescents with complex trauma. Journal of Child & Adolescent Trauma, 1(2), 163-178.