Cognitive Neurosciences and Psychological Rehabilitation

The course of Developmental Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation aims to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of the theoretical and research foundations, as well as the methodologies of neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation in children and adolescents. The course structure combines theorical part and laboratory part to ensure a comprehensive and practical education that prepares students to effectively address developmental neuropsychological disorders and rehabilitation. During the first part of the course, students will focus on examining the psychobiological and neural correlates of the central nervous system, brain plasticity, and the assessment and rehabilitation techniques used in the major neuropsychological disorders. Specifically, complex clinical pictures such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, Autism, Intellectual Disability, as well as neuropsychological disorders such as gesture communication, language, reading, writing, arithmetic, visuospatial abilities, and executive functions will be explored in depth. Laboratory hours will allow students to gain a practical understanding of neuropsychological assessment techniques and develop the necessary skills to plan and implement personalized rehabilitation programs for children and adolescents. During this phase, students will have the opportunity to work with rehabilitative tests and protocols and apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the theoretical part of the course. I) Knowledge and Understanding: Students of the Developmental Neuropsychology and Rehabilitation course will acquire an in-depth knowledge of the processes and mechanisms of brain development and the main neuropsychological theories of development. Moreover, students will understand the main theoretical and methodological approaches used in neuropsychological assessment, research, and rehabilitation. Students will apply the acquired knowledge to understand and interpret data from neuropsychological assessments. Additionally, they will be able to identify specific intervention needs for various neuropsychological disorders in children and adolescents. Finally, students will develop the ability to understand the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation, as well as to develop communication and collaboration skills with other professionals in the field. II) Ability to Apply Knowledge and Understanding: Students of the course will use neuropsychological assessment techniques and tools to evaluate cognitive, emotional, and behavioral functions in children and adolescents. Furthermore, they will develop personalized rehabilitation programs based on assessment data and be able to apply acquired knowledge in managing different neuropsychological disorders. Students will monitor the effectiveness of rehabilitation programs and make any necessary modifications to ensure the improvement of their patients' neuropsychological functions. Finally, students will collaborate with other healthcare professionals to ensure an integrated approach to neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation in children and adolescents. III) Communication Skills: Students of the course will develop effective and clear communication skills and the use of appropriate representative tools such as diagrams and graphs to present neuropsychological research data at conferences and meetings. Specifically, they will learn to communicate the results of neuropsychological assessments and the proposed intervention methods in a clear and simple manner to individuals with different levels of knowledge and understanding. Finally, students should be able to use digital communication tools, such as software for managing certain tests, in a professional and appropriate manner. IV) Learning Skills: Students will develop the ability to learn autonomously and continuously to constantly maintain their skills and adapt to new challenges in the field of neuropsychology and neuropsychological rehabilitation. They will identify relevant sources of information for their work, critically evaluate available information, and select the best scientific evidence for neuropsychological assessment and rehabilitation in children and adolescents. Additionally, they will plan personalized learning plans, defining learning objectives and strategies for developing the necessary knowledge and skills to fill their gaps in knowledge and competence.