Clinical Implementation of Spatial Neglect Assessment

Part 3 Certification course:  Clinical Implementation of Spatial Neglect Assessment: An advanced course for performance analysis and interpretation.

Description: This advanced, interactive distance‑learning course builds on the knowledge and skills developed in Courses 1 and 2 and is designed to support the clinical application of a comprehensive spatial neglect (SN) assessment within the learner’s own practice setting. Through guided interactions, case‑based coaching, and individualized written feedback from instructors, participants will strengthen their ability to implement advanced evaluation strategies with real clients.

Learners engage in sequential clinical practice with four structured cases to deepen clinical reasoning and refine decision‑making related to selecting appropriate assessment tools, interpreting standardized test results, integrating functional performance‑based data, and analyzing behavioral observations and performance errors. Participants will then apply course concepts to a client in their own practice and submit an in‑depth spatial neglect assessment following structured guidelines that include an occupational profile, analysis of functional performance, and interpretation of self‑awareness. Each submission receives personalized feedback from leading experts in spatial neglect, ensuring meaningful growth in clinical competence and confidence.

Faculty: Joan Toglia PhD, OTR/L, FAOTA and/or Peii Chen, PhD

Content level is Advanced

Prerequisites: Successful completion of the following 2 courses: (1) An Updated and Comprehensive Overview of Spatial Neglect - (2) Spatial Neglect and Assessment Methods.

Audience: Designed for occupational therapists and other rehabilitation professionals who have at least 1 year experience working with clients with stroke or other acquired brain injury and have completed the prerequisites above.

Completion of Course 3 leads to Certification in Comprehensive Spatial Neglect Evaluation, signifying advanced mastery and readiness to implement high-level assessment skills into everyday clinical practice.

Course Format: Self-Paced, Distance Learning-Interactive. Move through this course at your own pace in a fully online format, with required instructor interaction built in to provide personalized guidance and feedback and to enhance your learning experience. Participants will submit assignments to instructors, receive comments or feedback, and participate in a discussion board by responding to at least 1 post. Instructors are available throughout the course for questions, clarification, and guidance, and participants may request an individualized one‑on‑one or small‑group meeting during the course.

Estimated time for completion: 10 hours or 1.0 CEUs

Fee: $300.00

Registration: Practitioners who have successfully completed the first 2 prerequisite courses will be invited to register for this advanced course. Registration is by invitation only.

Course Outline

This is a self-paced course and learners can take as much time as needed for learning and integration of material. The below are estimated times for each module that consider time spent in learning or reflective activities. Total estimated time for this course is 10 hours.

Welcome to the Course- Provides an overview of the course and learning expectations (10 Minutes)

MODULE 1: Case Practice 1: Assessment Planning (50 minutes)

Module 2: Case Practice 2: Signs Beyond Standard Tests (60 minutes)

Module 3: Assessment Selection and Data Synthesis (110 minutes)

Module 4: Awareness, Performance and Clinical Interpretation (90 minutes)

Module 5: Final Assessment: Your Clinical Case Project (280 minutes) - Includes a comprehensive written narrative report for a selected client requiring advanced clinical analysis, interpretation and synthesis of data from several sources, completing required test forms, checklists or tables, and responding to reflective questions.

Course

To receive full certification, a therapist must complete practice cases and demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning and proficiency in clinical assessment of spatial neglect through a selected in-depth case assessment report, analysis, and critique. Each of the below course competencies or learning outcomes is rated by the instructor based on a written case assessment summary and completion of forms that follow the required outline.

Learning Outcomes: For a selected case, participants will demonstrate the ability to

• Collect, analyze, and synthesize interview data to produce a comprehensive occupational profile that integrates the client’s lived experiences, contextual factors, personal perspectives on spatial neglect, and corroborating information from caregivers or team members.

•  Demonstrate the ability to select assessment or screening priorities, methods, and tools using clinical reasoning,

• Score spatial neglect assessments according to standardized guidelines and analyze and interpret results.

• Analyze and synthesize data from four or more assessment sources and demonstrate advanced clinical reasoning in identifying patterns, discrepancies, and implications for occupational performance.

• Apply analysis of spatial dimensions—including modality, spatial region, frame of reference, and neglect subtype—to evaluate spatial neglect presentations and explain their influence on assessment and functional outcomes.

• Interpret variations in spatial neglect symptoms across differing activity demands, environments, or contextual factors and explain how these variations inform assessment conclusions.

•  Assess and interpret both general awareness and online awareness of performance and integrate these findings into a comprehensive spatial neglect evaluation.

• Summarize and synthesize key assessment results and generate implications for intervention planning specific to spatial neglect.

Course Completion and Contact Hours/CEUs: Once all course competencies or learning outcomes have been achieved or graded as “pass” by the instructor and the course evaluation survey has been completed, a course completion certificate with 10 contact hours or between 1.0 AOTA CEUs will be issued (see AOTA statement below). The Practitioner will also receive a separate certificate from MC CogRehab Resources with a certification number, stating that they are now certified in advanced skills and competencies in the comprehensive evaluation of Spatial Neglect. Certified Therapists will have the option of being included on our list of Certified Spatial Neglect Assessment Practitioners, that will be posted on the www.multicontext.net website.

If learning outcomes are not satisfactorily met, the certification and course completion certificates with CEUs are not provided. The instructor(s) will provide feedback and recommendations. If minor revisions are needed, materials for the same case may be revised and resubmitted within 1 month for review. If areas require significant revisions, submission of a new case assessment for review may be required. The learner may be asked to create a plan for improvement and a timeline with instructor feedback and approval. Only 1 opportunity is provided to resubmit to a new case to achieve all learning outcomes.