Neuropsychology
Clinical Neuropsychology provides a service for inpatients at Monash Children’s.
Acute Neuropsychology Service
The acute inpatient service receives referrals from Wards 41 North and 42 North, and the Children’s Cancer Centre.
The Neuropsychologist works as part of the health care team alongside allied health, nursing and medical staff.
How to Refer
The referrals can come from allied health, nursing and medical professionals. Input may include
Assessment
- As inpatient or outpatient within 30 days of discharge from inpatient status.
- Of children who present with complex developmental, cognitive, or learning difficulties in the context of a chronic medical disorder;
- Of children who present with challenging developmental, learning, behavioural or academic difficulties, where assessment requires a high degree of specialised knowledge and skill;
- Of children who present with an identified or suspected neurobiological disorder eg. Epilepsy;
- Of children with an acquired a brain injury as a result of head injury, cerebral infection anoxia etc (unless they are managed by the Paediatric Rehabilitation Services);
- Children with a medical illness which may affect the CNS or brain function, such as prematurity, diabetes, leukaemia, heart disease etc.;
Consultation
- secondary or tertiary consultation;
- to better understand the child’s abilities (strengths and weaknesses) to assist in the establishment of appropriate interventions;
- where an understanding of the child's cognitive and psychosocial state is critical for medical treatment planning, or in managing non-compliance with treatment;
- to help the treating team/allied health/nursing staff better understand the child’s strengths/weaknesses and behaviour, in order to assist in the quality of care;
- children who require neuropsychological input into treatment planning and programme implementation;
- advice and recommendations regarding the safe return to home and school.
- consultation or second opinion for children who present unresolved diagnostic dilemmas;
Psychoeducation
- to families and children who present with an identified neurological disorder;
- to better understand the impact of a child’s developmental, cognitive or learning difficulties on their functioning;
- to ward staff about the neurocognitive deficits associated with medical illness which may affect the CNS or brain function, such as prematurity, diabetes, leukemia, heart disease etc;
- to ward staff around management of patients with neurocognitive difficulties;
Eligibility
Children aged 0-18 who are current inpatients at Monash Children’s.
Referrals
Referrals should be made whilst inpatients at Monash Children’s to Paediatric Neuropsychology.
Note: whilst children may not be able to complete formal neuropsychological assessments as an inpatient, initial contact with Paediatric Neuropsychology must be made as an inpatient. After the initial inpatient contact, assessment may then be completed within 30 days of discharge to outpatient status.
Referrals can be made to:
Dr Ali Crichton, Clinical Neuropsychologist
- Complete the all details Consultation Referral Form
- Mail or fax referral to:
Dr Ali Crichton, Level 4, 41 South, Main BuildingMonash Medical Centre268 Clayton RoadClayton VIC 3168Phone: 95944622Fax: 95946136
An appointment will be sent to the family when the case has been allocated.