Neuropsychological Assessment of Cultrually and Linguistically Diverse Children: A Review of Relevant Issues and Appropraite Methods

Drawing from the fields of anatomy, biology, biophysics, ethology, pharmacology, physiology, physiological psychology, and philosophy, neuropsychology is the study of the relationship between human brain function and behavior (Kolb & Whishaw, 2003). According to Lezak (1995), the field of neuropsychology has grown to encompass the diagnosis of individuals, patient care and planning, rehabilitation and treatment evaluation, and research with regard to neuropsychological functioning. Assessment continues to be emphasized as a component of neuropsychology, and it typically involves an evaluation of the following domains: intellectual status, language and academic abilities, executive processes, attention, concentration, learning and memory, visuoconstructive abilities, motor functioning, sensory functioning, and emotional functioning, including mood, behavior, and personality (Groth-Marnat, 2000; Lezak, 1995; Spreen & Strauss, 1998).