Introduction

This chapter focuses on general issues in neuropsychological rehabilitation (NR) looks at the development and history of NR together with evidence-based treatment, mechanisms of recovery, assessment and goal planning. It deals with the different populations encounter in rehabilitation services: traumatic brain injury (TBI), stroke, encephalitis, anoxic brain damage, epilepsy, dementia, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, brain tumours, HIV, blast injuries, schizophrenia, substance abuse and mood disorders. The chapter addresses cognitive disorders, namely those of speed of information processing, attention, working memory, memory, executive functions, language, visual processing, and praxis. It also addresses acquired social communication disorders, social cognition deficits, difficulties with social and behavioural control and with apathy, and challenging behaviours. The chapter describes theoretical models and theories as well as practical applications. NR is a field that needs a broad theoretical base incorporating frameworks, theories and models from a number of different areas