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Department of PsychiatryDivision of Clinical PsychologyChild Learning Disability and Neuropsychology ClinicThis is a diagnostic clinic at the University of Denver to which children and adolescents are referred because of concerns about possible learning disabilities, attentional problems or broader neuropsychological problems related to certain medical conditions or brain injury. The site of this rotation is the Child Learning Disability and Neuropsychology Clinic, which is a clinic within the Developmental Neuropsychology Center at the University of Denver. This research center is part of the Department of Psychology and the interdisciplinary Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience program at the University of Denver (DU).Goals of the Training RotationGoals of this rotation are for students to develop a clear theoretical understanding of a range of common difficulties affecting children’s cognitive performance, how to evaluate a child for the presence of such problems, how to effectively convey this information to parents and schools, and how to develop appropriate intervention plans. Specific Training ActivitiesRequired Activities Required activities include performing evaluations of the type described above, giving case presentations at the general Clinic case review meetings, participating in discussions of others’ cases, jointly (with Dr. Marge Riddle) providing feedback to parents about evaluation results, developing specific intervention plans, becoming knowledgeable about specific community resources and relevant legal issues, and writing reports. Students will also be expected to do some readings about various disorders affecting cognitive performance. Interns must attend clinic Wednesdays, 12:00 to 2:00 p.m. Optional Training Activities Optional activities include further readings, participation in research activities, use of learning resources of the Center, such as a computer-based neuroanatomy learning program. Students who enter with some previous training in neuropsychology may participate in more comprehensive neuropsychological evaluations, using the Halstead-Reitan Battery. Theoretical ApproachesConsistent with the research activities of the Center, there is considerable emphasis on understanding the genetic and biological bases of various disorders. Types of Clinical ApproachesClinical activities include individual evaluation, development of skill in relating to school personnel both for information gathering as well as to facilitate subsequent intervention, and providing education to parents and school personnel regarding the nature of a child’s difficulties. Population of ClientsClients seen at this clinic are referred from the community, frequently by pediatricians, psychiatrists, tutors, and psychologists. The age range of clients is approximately age 5 through college-age. SupervisionSupervision takes several forms. Cases are individually supervised by Dr. Riddle, which includes meeting with the trainee as needed during the course of the evaluation and jointly giving feedback to parents. Most cases are reviewed in weekly two-hour clinic meetings, which are attended by all Clinic trainees as well as Drs. Riddle and Pennington. Additionally, there is direct supervision (group and individual) by the Clinic Assistant, an advanced DU clinical student, to assist in learning tests, checking scores and the like. Other scholarly activities are described above under optional activities and trainees are also welcome at the Neuroscience Research Group meetings, which are held approximately monthly at DU, at which presentations are given on various topics. Supervisors Margaret Riddle, Ph.D. who is Clinic Director and Adjunct Faculty in the Department of Psychology and the Cognitive Neuroscience Program. Her degrees are from Cornell and the University of Denver, Child Clinical Psychology program. Areas of interest are child clinical neuropsychology and learning disorders in children. Bruce Pennington, Ph.D. heads the Developmental Neuropsychology Center, and is a Full Professor in the Department of Psychology and the Cognitive Neuroscience Program. His degrees are from Howard and Duke University. Dr. Pennington is the author of Diagnosing Learning Disorders in Children – A Neuropsychological Perspective. His areas of interest include understanding abnormal cognitive development at both the neuropsychological and genetic levels of analysis. Ongoing research projects relate to children with dyslexia, ADHD, autism and Down Syndrome among others, and he is the author of numerous scientific papers. |
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