Contributions To Neuropsychological Assessment

Over ten years have passed since the publication of the first edition of this invaluable manual for administering, scoring and interpreting the results of these world-renowned neuropsychological tests. Developed by Arthur Benton at the University of Iowa, the tests are used in a wide variety of clinical and research contexts and, since 1983, many new findings have been generated. This thoroughly updated second edition summarizes this research and adds normative data on new populations including children and the elderly.

Over ten years have passed since Oxford University Press first published Contributions to Neuropsychological Assessment, making more widely available the clinical tests developed at the Benton Laboratory of Neuropsychology. Since 1983, many new findings have been generated as these tests areused in a variety of clinical and research contexts. This second edition summarizes this research and adds normative data on new populations including children and the elderly.

Neuropsychological assessment is a difficult and complicated process. Often, experienced clinicians as well as trainees and students gloss over fundamental problems or fail to consider potential sources of error. Since formal test data on the surface appear unambiguous and objective, they may fall into the habit of overemphasizing tests and their scores and underemphasizing all the factors that affect the validity, reliability, and interpretability of test data. But interpretation is far from straightforward, and a pragmatic application of assessment results requires attention to a multitude of issues. This long-awaited, updated, and greatly expanded second edition of the Clinician's Guide to Neuropsychological Assessment, like the first, focuses on the clinical practice of neuropsychology. Orienting readers to the entire multitude of issues, it guides them step by step through evaluation and helps them avoid common misconceptions, mistakes, and methodological pitfalls. It is divided into three sections: fundamental elements of the assessment process; special issues, settings, and populations; and new approaches and methodologies. The authors, all of whom are actively engaged in the clinical practice of neuropsychological assessment, as well as in teaching and research, do an outstanding job of integrating the academic and the practical. The Clinician's Guide to Neuropsychological Assessment, Second Edition will be welcomed as a text for graduate courses but also as an invaluable hands-on handbook for interns, postdoctoral fellows, and experienced neuropsychologists alike. No other book offers its combination of breadth across batteries and approaches, depth, and practicality.