Improving the Methodology for Assessing Cognitive Impairment
Approved by Ontario Psychological Association (OPA) for 2 CE Credits
Presented by Dr. Grant L. Iverson, Ph.D.
The accurate identification and quantification of cognitive impairment is the sine qua non of clinical neuropsychological assessment. However, comprehensive, psychometrically sophisticated approaches to identifying and quantifying cognitive impairment, across a battery of tests, have not been widely adopted in research or in clinical practice. In this presentation, definitions of, and classification systems for, cognitive impairment will be reviewed. Several fundamental psychometric principles for interpreting a battery of test scores will be illustrated using analyses of standardization samples from co-normed batteries of tests (e.g., WAIS-IV/WMS-IV, NEPSY, D-KEFS, NIH Toolbox Cognition Battery, and NAB). Empirically based, psychometrically derived criteria for identifying mild cognitive impairment, applicable to children, adults, and older adults will be presented.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
As a result of attending this presentation, attendees will be able to:
1. Use refined definitions of cognitive impairment in research and clinical practice.
2. Appreciate how social determinants of health and socioeconomic factors relate to the assessment of cognitive functioning.
3. Apply analyses from co-normed batteries to inform decisions relating to whether combinations of low scores reflect acquired cognitive impairment.
4. Explain how using different cut-off scores, and combinations of low scores, can improve the accuracy of identifying cognitive impairment in people with below average or above average intelligence.