Neuropsychology
Neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between brain functioning and behaviour. This field is considered the “marriage” between “mindless neuroscience” and “brainless psychology”. Often problems ascribed to psychiatric disturbance results from an injured brain. The field of neuropsychology can be helpful in making a differential diagnosis in this regard.
Dr. Peters assists with:
- Neuropsychological assessment
- Neuropsychological rehabilitation/adaptation
- Neuro-psycholegal expert witnessing
The focus of assessment is for neuropsycho-legal purpose as expert witness (for which she also testifies in court as needed) or for clinical differential diagnosis. Referrals come from law firms, the SAPS, neuro-surgeons, psychiatrists, neurologists, geriatricians, general practitioners and even family members, thus encompassing both forensic- and clinical neuropsychological work.
A specific example of a neuropsychological report applicable to the general public is if an elderly parent has lost their ability to function independently on a cognitive level and needs to be placed under curatorship.
For each case a tailor-made comprehensive report is completed. Area’s assessed include:
- Orientation
- Attention and concentration
- Perception
- Intelligence
- Verbal functions
- Construction functions
- Memory
- Concept formation and reasoning
- Executive functions
- Motor performance
- Affective functioning
Although these assessments are conducted in both Afrikaans and English, reports are generated in English only, particularly for medico-legal purposes.
