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Sports Neuropsychology

What is a concussion?

Concussions are functional brain injuries that are usually caused by a blow to the head or body. Traditional structural brain imaging (such as CT or MRI scans) are not sensitive to picking up the effects of a concussion.

The symptoms of a concussion are varied but are often described as somatic (headaches, dizziness, nausea, light and sound sensitivity and disrupted sleep), psychological (irritability, nervousness and being more emotional than usual), and cognitive (difficulties with memory, concentration, thinking speed, cognitive fatigue and general 'fogginess').
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Symptoms usually resolve within one to two weeks post injury. However, some people take longer to recover, and there are certain groups known to be more vulnerable to the effects of concussion (those with a history of previous multiple concussions, women, those with a co-occurring neurological or psychological disorder). It has also been found that children and adolescents may also be slower to recover than adults. ​

Role of a neuropsychologist

Clinical neuropsychologists are uniquely qualified to assess both an individuals cognitive and psychological functioning following a concussion.

The neuropsychological assessment provides an objective method of evaluating subtle changes in an individual's cognition (their memory and thinking skills) and mood after a concussion. 
The neuropsychologist can also guide the management of the sports-persons recovery and return to play/school/work through psycho-education; by identifying and managing psychological or emotional difficulties; and by monitoring for any ongoing difficulties.
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Many sports-persons are now opting for a baseline neuropsychological assessments early in their career to manage their own concussion risk. By having your own unique cognitive profile, future assessments looking at the impact of a concussion (or multiple concussions) can allow a far greater accuracy for comparison purposes. This enables the sports-person to better manage their return to play (see Baseline for more information).

National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS)

If you are currently registered with NDIS (or have a client who is registered), you can use NDIS funding to obtain a neuropsychological assessment. If you are self-managed or plan-managed, you can refer directly to me. If you are managed by an agency, please talk to your provider about sub-contracting my service.

admin@swneuropsychology.com.au

South West Neuropsychology

0415 955 453