An evaluation of neuropsychological investigation methods for the mentally handicapped

The neuropsychological diagnostics and rehabilitation have gained an important place in neuropsychiatry for the child and adolescent. The point is to which extent neuropsychological investigations are able to contribute to the evaluation of the mentally handicapped. Proceeding from Luria's concept of systematic brain activities, during the 70's and 80's neuropsychological tests for children and adults were developed in Europe and the U.S. These endeavoured to achieve a comprehension of the higher cortical functions on a metric basis. Starting from a developmental neuropsychological aspect, the authors have developed the Berlin Luria-Neuropsychological Procedures for children of the age between 8 and 12 years (BLN-K). Based on a patient random test with 9 children whose intelligence quotient was lower than 80, the principal question of BLN-K suitability for a differentiated diagnosis of intellectually impaired children was investigated. The problems and results are represented and discussed in detail.