Possibilities of Remote Neuropsychological Work with Children: a Case Analysis

Abstract

In the current realities of the pandemic and self-isolation, we are forced to make adjustments to the usual way of living and adapt to existing conditions. The number of children requiring neuropsychological support is not decreasing, and they have no time to wait for conditions in society to return to normal. In addition, many locations within our country have no qualified neuropsychological specialists, which many children desperately need. Therefore, an online method of neuropsychological work is the only possible way to overcome these challenges. However, in certain situations even online support is not always suitable. Some factors which influence this include; the age of the child, the severity of his/her violations, his/her emotional state and so on. Within this article is an example of a case whereby the specialist does not participate in the remediation process by herself, but at the same time completely controls it. The format was “experimental,” after neither offline nor online methods of work previously were showing significant results. Together with the mother of the child we decided to go beyond the usual interaction with the child and began to look for alternative solutions. A new method was agreed, which required huge discipline and full inclusion of the parents into the remediation process. A study was completed that qualitatively and quantitatively estimated the effect of this format of remediation work through the dynamics of longitudinal neuropsychological observation. The obtained results indicated strong positive dynamics in the formation of cognitive, regulatory and neurodynamic functions. The article raises an important topic of accessibility of neuropsychological support for each child who needs it. The results underline the importance of a more detailed study of remote neuropsychological work with children in the near future.