Clinical Neuropsychology Services For Doncaster Victoria

Welcome to Neupath Neuropsychology

Neupath Neuropsychology is a small private practice of Clinical Neuropsychologists located within a specialist medical practice in Bulleen.
We offer a range of neuropsychological services to children, adolescents, and young adults.
We are registered with a range of private health insurers, Medicare, the Transport Accident Commission, the Department of Human Services and the Department of Health.

Dr Cressida MacCuspie

Dr Cressida MacCuspie BSc(Hons), DPsych(Clinical Neuropsychology), MAPS, FCCN
Cressida has a Doctorate in Clinical Neuropsychology, is a Member of the Australian Psychological Society, and is a Fellow of the College of Clinical Neuropsychologists of the Australian Psychological Society. She has more than 16 years’ experience working with children, adolescents and young adults.

Cressida worked for many years in both the private and public sectors at the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH). Cressida works predominantly in the assessment of children and adolescents and has run her own private practice since 2010. Cressida has also been involved in training postgraduate students and in providing supervision to intern neuropsychologists enrolled in post-graduate programs.

Cressida has particular interests in specific learning disorders, epilepsy, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) and cognitive difficulties secondary to medical conditions.

Cressida can be contacted on 0447 008 608 or via email at cressida@neupath.com.au.

Child Neuropsychology

At Neupath Neuropsychology, we offer a range of services to children including comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. These assessments may involve assessment of intellectual ability, attention and memory skills, and academic performance.

Some of the reasons children are referred for assessment include:

Concerns about delayed development
Concerns regarding school readiness
Attention difficulties such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)
Academic delays and learning disorders
General intellectual ability assessments (e.g. WPPSI-IV or WISC-V assessments) for students who are being considered for funding at school (e.g. under the Severe Language Disorders or Intellectual Disability criteria)

Adolescent Neuropsychology

At Neupath Neuropsychology, we offer a range of services to adolescents including comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. These assessments may involve assessment of intellectual ability, attention and memory skills, and academic performance.

Some of the reasons adolescents are referred for assessment include:

Academic delays and learning difficulties
Difficulties with school attendance and/or school refusal
Attention difficulties such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
Investigation for modifications to curriculum and/or remedial supports
General intellectual ability assessments (e.g. WISC-V assessments) for students who are being considered for funding at school (e.g.under the Severe Language Disorders or Intellectual Disability criteria)
Assessments to support applications to the VCAA for Special Arrangements (such as additional time, use of computer or scribe) in the VCE examinations
Assessments to support applications to the Special Entry Access Scheme (SEAS) for university entry and post-school study

Young Adult Neuropsychology

At Neupath Neuropsychology, we provide services to young adults including comprehensive neuropsychological assessments. These assessments may involve assessment of intellectual ability, attention and memory skills, and academic performance. The young adults we see tend to be those with long-term, developmental type issues, rather than young adults with new problems.

Some of the reasons young adults may be referred for assessment include:

Difficulty managing transition to post-school study or work training programs
Assessments required to access Disability Liaison or Special Consideration at university
Assessment of learning difficulties or academic delays
Assessment and diagnosis of attentional disorders such as Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder

The Assessment Process

What does an assessment involve?

A detailed neuropsychological assessment may take several hours and be conducted over a number of sessions. Skills assessed would generally include general intellectual ability, attention and concentration, learning and memory, verbal skills, and non-verbal problem solving. For school-aged children and adolescents, or young adults involved in post-school studies, assessment also generally covers literacy and numeracy skills.

Neuropsychological assessments involve a clinical interview with the client and a parent, following by a range of individually administered tests. The assessment is generally conducted in our rooms. Preschool children may need a parent to stay with them in the assessment room, school aged children and adolescents are generally seen on their own.

Generally the assessment would include:

The completion of questionnaires by the parents and the child’s teacher prior to the first appointment
A detailed parent interview including the child’s developmental and medical history, previous and current concerns, and any prior assessment results and reports
Approximately three hours of assessment with the child and clinician, separated into a number of sessions
A parent feedback session where the results of the assessment are discussed with the parents (and students 16 years and older), and copies of the reports are given to the parents

How will I get the results?

After the assessment is completed, a report will be prepared highlighting the client’s strengths and weaknesses and making recommendations to assist them. At this time a parent feedback session is arranged to discuss the report and findings. For younger children, this session is generally held just with their parents, but for older adolescents it may be appropriate for them to be involved.

What happens then?

Depending on the needs of the client, the results of the assessment may be used to develop an individual treatment plan. Alternatively, meetings may be held with a child’s school, for example, to discuss how best to meet that child’s needs.

As children continue to learn and develop over time, the nature of any difficulties they have may also change. It may therefore be appropriate for children to be reviewed after one or two years to reassess their current strengths and weaknesses.

How do I make an appointment?

No medical referral is required for a neuropsychological assessment, although many children are referred by general practitioners or paediatricians. Referrals are also accepted from schools and other allied health practitioners.

Other Services

In addition to clinical services for children, adolescents and young adults, Neupath Neuropsychology offers:

National Disability Insurance Scheme

We are able to offer assessment and support to self-managed NDIS clients provided their plan allows for this. Please call us to discuss your needs.

Secondary Consultation

We offer secondary consultation in the educational and occupational environments for people with acquired brain injuries and other disabilities.

Supervision and Professional Development

We are able to provide individual or group based supervision support for psychologists, allied health professionals and teaching staff. Please contact us to discuss your needs.