Neuropsychological Rehabilitation
Dr Laraway provides highly specialist neuropsychological rehabilitation for adults (16 years and older) with an acquired brain injury (ABI) and their families. All work is person-centred, informed by the client’s individual needs and the stage of their recovery after their injury. All approaches used are holistic, recognising the range of cognitive, behavioural and emotional changes that a person can experience as a result of their ABI.
Dr Laraway frequently works closely with a number of multi-disciplinary teams that often include Case Managers, Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists and Support Workers. He recognises the importance and value of working in such an integrated way, that offers the client a comprehensive approach to their rehabilitation.
Direct clinical input includes cognitive rehabilitation, behaviour management and therapy for emotional difficulties. This latter area may also include specific input around acceptance and emotional adjustment after injury. Difficulties around these issues can frequently contribute to problems for the client in their wider rehabilitation. Successful therapy and support to address these can often be the catalyst for further progress in many aspects of post-injury recovery.
Dr Laraway also regularly works with clients’ families, or with those close to them, as part of the neuropsychological rehabilitation. Often, they can find it difficult understanding what has happened, why changes in cognition/behaviour/emotion are observed and what they can do to support their family-member. They may also experience difficulties in coming to terms with the injury and associated impact on the wider family unit and life in general. Neuropsychology input aims to support both the client and their family in exploring these issues, and to identify ways of moving forward in their coping.
Dr Laraway regularly provides consultation and training for teams. Recent input has included training on challenging behaviour, emotional adjustment after ABI and providing reflective practice groups.
Dr Laraway has extensive experience and skills in providing clinical supervision for other psychologists and neuropsychologists. He also provides clinical supervision for other professionals working with people with ABI and other long term neurological conditions.
Neuropsychological Assessment
Dr Laraway provides highly specialist neuropsychological assessments as part of clients’ diagnostic input for dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions. These assessments can often have an integral role in helping to identify specific disorders and in differential diagnosis.
Dr Laraway works closely with neurologists in the region to ensure that clients are provided with an accurate and informative diagnosis in a timely manner so any relevant treatment is not delayed.
He uses the latest evidence-based approaches to assessment which often include use of psychometric cognitive tests. Interpretation of psychometric data is considered alongside the client’s, and their family’s views, and relevant background and medical information.
Recent assessments have contributed to diagnoses of Alzheimer’s disease, Lewy Body dementia, Vascular dementia, Fronto-Temporal dementia and Mild Cognitive Impairment.
All assessment appointments are adapted to meet each client’s individual needs with shorter sessions or regular breaks included as required.
Dr Laraway also provides cognitive assessments for other neurological conditions including Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and Stroke.
Cognitive assessments are also requested to help clients understand the effects of difficulties associated with developmental disorders including dyspraxia, dysexecutive syndrome and attention-related problems that, in adult-hood, can often have profound effects on work-life and relationships.
Medico-Legal Services
Dr Laraway has over 10 years’ experience in providing specialist neuropsychological assessments and Expert Witness reports for the courts. These often relate to the cognitive, behavioural and emotional consequences of ABI following personal injury that may result from road traffic accidents, assaults and medical negligence.
He receives instructions from both claimants and defendants, and has also been jointly instructed in a number of cases. Dr Laraway provides an efficient and professional service, with instructions acted on, and the specialist reports provided in a timely manner.
Dr Laraway also regularly receives instructions to complete Mental Capacity assessments that often relate to ability to manage financial affairs, testamentary capacity and capacity to decide about living circumstances.
“Thank you for everything you have done for me - your help has been such an important part of my rehabilitation.”
