NEUROPSYCHOLOGICAL ASSESSMENT AS AN AID TO PSYCHOSOCIAL REHABILITATION IN SEVERE MENTAL-DISORDERS

The purpose of this study was to determine whether detailed assessment of cognitive functions in people suffering from psychotic disorders c an assist ist their psychosocial rehabilitation while they are living in the community, A case study approach was used, People with a diagno sis of schizophrenia, who were experiencing difficulties with vocation al/educational rehabilitation within the setting of an assertive commu nity treatment program received a detailed neuropsychological assessme nt feedback from the assessment was provided to the people with mental illness and their case managers, who together bad identified referral questions for the neuropsychological testing. Three case vignettes ar e described as examples of the ways in which the goals of this study w ere achieved Neuropsychological assessment can positively influence th e process of Psychosocial rehabilitation for clients and case managers in select cases future research should concentrate on determining the ecological validity of assessment based on specific neuropsychologica l test results for the purpose of predicting readiness for vocational training for persons with serious mental disorders.