Assessment

Information pack and referral form are available following the link at the top of this page. This page provides information about the various assessment offerings.

Admissions Assessments

The purpose of Admissions Assessments is to determine a potential client’s suitability to come on the full rehabilitation programme and is a requirement before entering the programme. The assessment process begins with a written referral accompanied with information providing details of previous therapy provision and medical history. Clients who are considered to be potential candidates are then invited to attend the Centre for a two day team assessment, accompanied by a family member or carer on the first day.

The assessment comprises the following:

· Clinical interview, including review of functional status, current problems and sharing expectations for rehabilitation outcomes

· Neuropsychological testing

· Family assessment

· Mood assessment

· Structured observation during a community outing

· Structured observation while completing a functional task within the Centre

· Participation in a programme group with current clients

· Lunch with current clients

· Feedback to client and family

During the Admissions Assessment, the team will meet together to create a preliminary formulation of the client’s strengths, challenges and needs and decide if the client meets the criteria for admission to the programme. Criteria for admission include:

· Aged over 16 years

· Have sustained a non progressive acquired brain injury,

· Are more than one year post-injury

· Multiple interacting difficulties in domains of cognition, communication, emotion and function that require an interdisciplinary team approach

· Have made a relatively good physical recovery, and are independent in their mobility and personal care needs

· Ability to tolerate full therapy days, 10am – 4pm

· Ability to work as part of a group

· Ability to benefit from a collaborative approach based around client centred goals

· Goals relating to understanding more about their injury and its consequences, developing strategies, adjustment, and increasing social participation (e.g. returning to work or study, increasing independence in the home environment, accessing community resources)

· No active mental health difficulties

· Ability to make significant therapeutic gains from participation in the programme.

If it is decided that a client is not likely to benefit from the programme then recommendations as to alternative courses of action will be made. The staff team will produce a report following the Admissions Assessment.

Rehab Planning

Clients who are accepted for the programme will be assigned a start date. The first week of the programme consists of extensive assessment with all members of the interdisciplinary team to obtain a detailed shared understanding of the client’s physical, cognitive, behavioural, emotional and functional strengths and weaknesses and to begin formulating goals to be addressed during the programme.

Specialist Assessment and Consultation

Agnosia, prosopagnosia, apraxia, unilateral neglect, dysexecutive syndrome, dysphasia, acquired dyslexia or dyscalculia, poor impulse control, slow speed of processing, impaired memory - the list (it has been called a 'litany') of possible disorders is endless....Neuropsychological consequences of brain injury are undoubtedly a confusing experience. It is often the case that people are keen simply to have a chance to meet with a brain injury specialist to help understand their condition and seek guidance for self-management. For those not seeking admission to our rehabilitation programme, we are able to offer a limited number of appointments to provide assessment and consultation for such situations. Assessment (and therefore cost) will vary according to needs identified at referral but may include:

· Individual or team assessment with relevant team members, including Clinical Psychologist, Speech and Language Therapist, Occupational Therapist, Consultant in Neurorehabilitation

· Functional observation in appropriate context e.g. home or work settings

· Testing out appropriate strategies to support recommendations

· Signposting to other agencies for further advice and support

Please indicate your needs when you complete our referral form.

Medicolegal and Insurance Assessments

We do offer immediate needs assessment for neuropsychological consequences of brain injury. These assessments are usually undertaken on the instruction of an independent case manager or solicitor. We are able to offer only a very few medicolegal or expert witness appointments each year.

Other Specialist Assessments

We are currently developing new assessment options. Stay tuned to this site for new developments or feel free to ask if you wish a particular type of assessment.

Related pages information pack, costs and referral form If you would like to make a referral to the centre, please complete the standard referral form, and send along with other relevant information for our consideration.

24 July 2012