31 - The Vital Role of Neuropsychologists and the Family in Pediatric Rehabilitation

Acquired brain injuries (ABI) contribute to a wide range of cognitive, behavioral, and social consequences that can be most effectively understood and managed through the lens of the child’s brain condition and their profile of strengths and weaknesses. Families experience profound and often persistent consequences of their child’s ABI, while playing an essential role in promoting, or hindering, everyday functioning. This presentation describes the need for neuropsychologically-informed behavioral health treatments in pediatric rehabilitation that leverage family involvement. We will review evidence-based interventions to promote neurobehavioral recovery following ABI, emphasizing those that incorporate parents and family. The presentation will describe the clinical implementation of the Teen Online Problem-Solving program (TOPS), a practice standard for the treatment of executive dysfunction and externalizing behavior problems following brain injuries. The 10-session, family-centered, TOPS program integrates training in cognitive reframing, self-monitoring, self-regulation, and communication skills within a problem-solving framework that allows the adolescent and family to tailor the application of the content to their specific issues. The presentation will share portions of the online content to illustrate how TOPS incorporates understanding of the adolescent’s neuropsychological profile when employing the problem-solving process and other common behavioral change techniques. We will describe the varying roles of neuropsychologists in the implementation process (referral, supervisor, therapist) and consider the merits and limitations of integrating TOPS into neuropsychology internship and fellowship training.