Invited Speaker: Debbie Anderson

Abstract

This presentation will review the history and practise of performance validity testing in neuropsychological assessment.  It will briefly review the history and milestone publications. There will be an examination of both popular and less common instruments, and the evolving terminology used in this area. There will also be brief coverage of symptom validity assessment and its role in our assessments. Current international practise recommendations will also be included, consideration of terminology, novel approaches, as well as practical examples from a long career in the medicolegal arena.

Learning objectives:

1.Build understanding of the importance and relevance of both performance validity and symptom validity testing in clinical assessments.

2.Familiarise/review and critique current international practice recommendations in this area.

Level: Whilst much of this topic will be familiar to practitioners, it will provide a review of current literature and practice in this area.

Presenter: Debbie Anderson

Debbie is an experienced clinical neuropsychologist working in private practise in Brisbane.  She trained at the University of Melbourne and has practised in Queensland since completing her course in 1989.  She initially worked in public hospital settings before moving into full time private work.  Her work has evolved into almost full-time medicolegal referrals. She evaluates clients primarily as an independent expert in medicolegal cases (personal injuries, decision making capacity and cognitive aspects of capacity to stand trial in criminal matters).  She enjoys the challenge of fully evaluating complex cases, and had given evidence in legal proceedings on a number of occasions.  She has several publications and conference presentations related to this work, which demonstrate her commitment to evidence-based practise.  Throughout her career Debbie has been active in professional organisations, and currently serves on the Board of ACNpA.  She is passionate about training the next generation of professionals, and undertakes casual lecturing at QUT, supervises clinical neuropsychology registrars and speaks at various educational events for other professions about the role of neuropsychology.