Neuropsychology's Role in Multidisciplinary Follow-Up Care of Neurologically Complex Infants and Toddlers

Abstract

Background: Adverse effects on brain development prenatally and during early childhood can disrupt cognitive development, with earlier neural insults often proving to be particularly detrimental. As such, infants and toddlers with neurological conditions are at increased risk for medical and neurodevelopmental complications. Pediatric neuropsychologists are well suited to evaluate brain-behavior relationships and identify emergent delays in these patients. The roles of pediatric neuropsychology in the care of neurologically complex young children are reviewed and discussed by highlighting a novel neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) follow-up clinic model.

Methods: The Developmentally Ready: Engagement for Achievement of Milestones (DREAM) Clinic is a multidisciplinary NICU follow-up clinic designed for the care of neurologically complex young children. The DREAM Clinic is led by neonatal neurology and supported by pediatric neuropsychology, neonatology, physical medicine and rehabilitation, and pediatric psychology.

Results: The review of pediatric neuropsychologists' contributions to the DREAM Clinic elucidated that pediatric neuropsychologists are valuable care partners to both medical providers and families in this multidisciplinary setting.

Conclusions: The DREAM Clinic provides a model for the structure, feasibility, and importance of involving pediatric neuropsychologists in the multidisciplinary developmental follow-up care of neurologically complex young children.

Keywords: Early childhood; Multidisciplinary; NICU follow-up; Neurological; Pediatric neuropsychology.