Clinical Rotations
Approximately 45-65% of overall time is devoted to clinical work. Fellows typically have two “clinic days” per week. A clinic day can follow various formats, such as a full neuropsychological evaluation, a more brief/focused evaluation, or a day in concussion clinic seeing multiple new and follow-up patients. Fellows receive the assistance of our well-trained psychometrists, who administer and score a portion of the assessment, and also work with extern assistants (see Didactics and Professional Development Experiences). Faculty provide at least two hours of individual supervision per week, plus group supervision, with supervisor involvement in cases tailored to the needs of the individual fellow to support growing independence.
Clinical rotation activities support the development of competencies including battery selection and administration, history-taking and process-driven behavioral observations, case formulation, provision of feedback, report writing, work with multidisciplinary teams, and awareness of individual and cultural diversity. Fellows are expected to demonstrate readiness for independent practice by the end of postdoc.
Rotations for the Neuropsychology Postdoctoral Fellowship are organized to provide broad experience with neurodevelopmental disorders and a variety of referral questions in Year 1, and more in-depth experiences with specific medical populations (e.g., epilepsy, hem/onc, and/or some other particular area of interest) in Year 2. Some rotations are core and completed by most or all postdocs, especially in Year 1, and some are electives. We consider individual preferences and goals when assigning the second-year rotations in order to individualize the training experience. Each rotation typically offers both didactic experiences (e.g., attending rounds) and experience with a given patient population.
Year 1 or Year 2 elective rotation
Bilingual (Spanish) Assessment
For trainees who are fluent and demonstrate professional language proficiency in Spanish. Rotation will include supervised experience testing children with varying levels of English language exposure (potentially ranging from recent immigrants who speak little to no English to those raised in a bilingual household in the U.S.) and from a variety of cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. The fellow will also receive supervision on providing culturally-responsive clinical interviews and feedbacks. Referrals will include both medical and neurodevelopmental populations.
Year 1 core rotation
Center for Autism Spectrum Disorders (CASD) Autism Neuropsychology
Fellows in this rotation evaluate primarily high-functioning children with prior diagnosis of, or a question of, autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Some have medical disorders that increase risk for ASD (e.g., epilepsy, genetic syndromes). Fellows conduct neuropsychological evaluations and function as part of a multidisciplinary team of professionals. Differential diagnosis skills are emphasized, as many children referred to us for a question of ASD do not ultimately receive that diagnosis. Fellows receive individual and group supervision and participate in team meetings, case presentations and didactics. Year 2 elective rotations are available through CASD, including opportunities to work with very young children (CASD Developmental or Preschool clinic and “Mini-Team” cases), to provide treatment (“Unstuck and On Target” group), or to work with the Gender and Autism team to learn about assessing and supporting neurodivergent/gender diverse youth. (Note: Participation in any of the Year 2 rotations is optional.)
YEAR 2 CORE ROTATION
Comprehensive Pediatric Epilepsy Program
Fellows participate in weekly multidisciplinary epilepsy team conference in the Neurology department and provide outpatient evaluations of children and adolescents diagnosed with seizure disorders. Fellows also work with surgical patients to complete pre-surgical baseline assessment and post-surgical follow-up, and may observe Wada evaluation of language and memory functions, cortical mapping, and/or functional imaging.
YEAR 1 CORE ROTATION
Executive Function Clinic
Year 1 core rotation. Our faculty are known for expertise in executive function skills. This biweekly 4 clinic provides rapid, focused evaluations of children with attentional and executive function problems. The rotation includes group supervision, and particular training in executive function profiles in ADHD and other neuropsychological disorders.
YEAR 1 CORE ROTATION
General Outpatient Service
Children and adolescents seen in the general outpatient service present with a variety of developmental or acquired neurocognitive difficulties. This service captures any referral not coming through one of the other more specific clinics/programs. Referral questions most often involve learning and attention problems. This rotation may also include opportunities to provide brief consultations.
YEAR 2 CORE ROTATION
Hematology/Oncology Program
Fellows provide consultations and evaluations to patients referred through the Hematology/Oncology and Neurology departments (Brain Tumor Institute). In addition, fellows obtain clinical experience evaluating children with Neurofibromatosis Type 1 (NF1) and provide consultation within the NF Institute. The Brain Tumor Focus position will additionally complete a 2-year minor rotation in neuro-oncology, which will consist of regular engagement in screening, consultation and focused assessment of brain tumor survivors.
YEAR 1 OR YEAR 2 CORE ROTATION
Medical Referrals
This rotation affords the fellow the opportunity to see cases with a variety of medical etiologies, such as genetic disorders, sickle cell, stroke, AVM, transplant, cancer, congenital heart disease and neurological disorders. Fellows can request a Year 2 rotation specializing in a particular population (e.g., CHD) if desired.
YEAR 2 ELECTIVE
Neuro-Developmental (Preschool) Clinic
Opportunity to see preschool-aged patients with medical and developmental concerns.
Year 1 or Year 2 core rotation
Safe Concussion Outcome, Recovery and Education (SCORE) Program
This multidisciplinary clinic conducts serial, focused neuropsychological evaluations with children and adolescents who have sustained a mild TBI/concussion. Patients are often seen early after an injury and followed through to recovery. This individualized model emphasizes the integration of cognitive, physical and psychological data to inform comprehensive evidence-based treatment plans. Fellows coordinate referrals and multidisciplinary care with our colleagues in Behavioral Pain Medicine and Neurology. Fellows may also provide consultation to physicians, educators, athletic trainers and physical therapists regarding school and return to play/activity issues.