The Division of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology is dedicated to research, teaching, and clinical service that improves the health and well being of children with chronic health conditions and disabilities, especially those children with developmental, genetic,and/or neurological disorders.

Division staff members include Dan Orme, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., Director of the Division of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology, faculty members Steve Kanne, Ph.D., A.B.P.P., and Kathleen McCann Deidrick, Ph.D., post-doctoral fellow Maureen Grissom, Ph.D., and Angie Sloop, B.A., lead technician.

| Clinical Services | Research | Training |

Clinical Services

The Child Neuropsychology Clinic

The Child Neuropsychology Clinic at the University of Missouri-Columbia offers diagnostic and evaluative services for children who have developmental, genetic, and/or neurological disorders.

Purpose of evaluations: Evaluations determine a child's level of functioning across a range of skills. For some children, there may be a focus on the effect of the child's medical condition on everyday functioning. This information is useful for:

1. diagnostic decision-making;
2. determination of disability;
3. treatment planning
4. monitoring the course of a medical condition.

Kinds of evaluations: All evaluations are tailored to each child, but they generally fall into the following categories:

• Neuropsychological: examines a wide range of brain-related skills, such as general intelligence, attention, memory, language, sensory-motor functioning, and problem-solving skills.
• Psycho-educational: assesses academic abilities with a focus on determining whether there is a learning disability.
• Developmental: determines a child's ability relative to age-mates.
• Psychological: evaluates behavior and emotions, especially as related to a medical condition.

What is a Child Neuropsychologist?: Child neuropsychologists have doctoral level training in psychology and post-doctoral training in clinical child neuropsychology.

Who can request an evaluation?: Requests for evaluations come from a variety of individuals, including physicians, educators, other health professionals, attorneys, and families.

What to expect: Evaluations are either half-day or full-day and consist of interviews with the child and significant others, cognitive testing, and behavioral assessment.

When it's all over...: Results are provided verbally and in a written report. The parents/legal guardians are given an appointment for this. Reports are also forwarded to referring professionals, as appropriate.

Central Missouri Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Center

Daniel Orme, Ph.D., Child Neuropsychology Clinic Director for the Division of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology, is a staff member at the Central Missouri Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Center, which is part of the MU Department of Child Health. The center staff focuses on diagnosis of the syndrome, education and prevention. The center provides diagnosis, referral and follow-up services for individuals suspected of having an alcohol-related condition and their families.

Missouri Partnership for Enhanced Delivery of Services (MO-PEDS)

The MO-PEDS program helps families find comprehensive and coordinated care for their child with special health care needs, including medical, educational, mental health, and family support services. This is accomplished by:

• Partnering with families in decision making
• Ensuring each child has a medical home
• Helping families find adequate resources to pay for what their child needs
• Screening for children with special health care needs in order to promote health and prevent disability
• Advocating for community-based services that are organized so that families can use them easily
• Encouraging parent-to-parent activities and other informal family supports

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Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

The Thompson Center for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Disorders is a cross-campus initiative that was established in June, 2005 through the philanthropy of William and Nancy Thompson. The mission of the Thompson Center is to improve the outcomes of children with autism and other brain-based conditions through cutting-edge research and comprehensive service delivery. Interdisciplinary research teams will enhance understanding of basic developmental processes, determine best practices for supporting individuals and families, and inform public policy. This initiative was launched through collaborative efforts of faculty from the School of Health Professions, School of Medicine, College of Human Environmental Sciences, College of Education, and the Truman School of Public Policy. Janet E. Farmer, Ph.D., is the first director of the Thompson Center.

Research

The Division of Pediatric Psychology and Neuropsychology is dedicated to advancing knowledge about children with chronic health conditions and disabilities. Current areas of research interest include:

• Autism Spectrum Disorders
• Traumatic Brain Injury
• Joubert Syndrome
• Health service delivery systems that promote comprehensive care
• Family adaptation to chronic health conditions.

Training

As a part of departmental training initiatives, our faculty provide training and supervision to pre-doctoral interns and post-doctoral fellows who wish to pursue careers in pediatric neuropsychology and pediatric rehabilitation psychology. This training is in accordance with guidelines set forth by Division 40 (Neuropsychology) and Division 22 (Rehabilitation Psychology) of the American Psychological Association. We also teach medical and nursing students, residents, and undergraduate and graduate students from departments across the MU campus (e.g., Psychological Sciences, School Psychology, Special Education, Communication Science and Disorders). We offer guest lectures, practica, and research training opportunities.

In addition, the Division is an active participant in the Leadership Education in Neurodevelopmental and Related Disabilities (LEND) training program, also known as Training in Interdisciplinary Partnerships and Services (TIPS for Kids). The program provides intensive interdisciplinary training for advanced graduate students and post-doctoral fellows in the field of neurodevelopmental and related disabilities. The training program is sponsored by the MU Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and has been funded since 1995 by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

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