Neurocognitive Interventions for Childhood and Adolescent Disorders: A Transactional Model

Abstract

(create) This chapter explores a number of intervention models and develops a rationale for using a transactional model for understanding and treating learning and neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood. Information about the child's neuropsychological, cognitive, academic, and psychosocial status forms the basis for designing integrated intervention and treatment plans for children and adolescents with brain-related and neurodevelopmental disorders (Teeter Ellison & Semrud-Clikeman, 2007). The purpose of this chapter is to review current neuropsychological, neurocognitive, and neurobehavioral paradigms for designing interventions for children with various disorders, including phonological reading disabilities, nonverbal learning disabilities, attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder, pervasive developmental delays, seizure disorders, traumatic brain injury, and childhood brain tumors. Four models for intervention are discussed in this chapter: (1) the Multistage Neuropsychological Assessment-Intervention Model (Teeter Ellison & Semrud-Clikeman 2007); (2) the developmental neuropsychological remediation/habilitation framework designed by Rourke (1994); (3) rehabilitation procedures designed by Reitan and Wolfson (1992); and (4) the phenomenological model articulated by Levine (1993, 1994). Techniques for addressing the cognitive, academic psychosocial, and attentional problems associated with selected disorders of childhood and adolescence are presented. Medications for treating neuropsychiatric disorders of childhood, medication monitoring, consultation with educational staff, and integrated intervention protocols are briefly discussed. Finally, guidelines for collaboration are addressed, including ideas for developing home-school-physician partnerships for treating childhood and adolescent neuropsychiatric, neurodevelopmental, and brain-related disorders. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2012 APA, all rights reserved).