Dr. Isabel A. Rodriguez, Clinial NeuropsychologistMeet Dr. Isabel A. Rodríguez
Clinical Neuropsychologist

Specialized Training in Neuropsychology and Forensic Neuropsychology

Isabel A. Rodríguez, Ph.D., a New York State licensed clinical psychologist, specializes in neuropsychological evaluations of English and Spanish-speaking adults, adolescents and children. Within the realm of forensic neuropsychology, Dr. Rodríguez is experienced in working closely with attorneys and their clients to evaluate whether neurocognitive and psychological conditions and symptoms are related to injuries sustained in accidents or through negligence or medical malpractice. Completely bilingual (English-Spanish), she thoroughly evaluates records submitted by attorneys and performs neuropsychological and psychological evaluations to determine the correct diagnoses. The purpose of these evaluations is to determine whether there is a connection (nexus) between the injuries sustained and the neuropsychological and neurocognitive impairments that follow an injury, negligence or medical malpractice. A patient may present with impairments to executive functioning, impairments to verbal abilities, memory and learning difficulties, mood disorders, and social and emotional dysfunction.

Background and Education

Dr. Rodríguez earned her Master of Arts (M.A.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees in Clinical Psychology, with a specialization in Neuropsychology from Fordham University in New York City. At Fordham University, she was awarded a Presidential Scholarship from the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. She earned her Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in Psychology, Magna Cum Laude, from Florida International University in Miami.

Neuropsychological Training at NYU's Langone Medical Center

Dr. Rodríguez received neuropsychological training at New York University (NYU) Langone Medical Center's Comprehensive Epilepsy Center, where she administered neuropsychological batteries in both English and Spanish and wrote neuropsychological reports for pre-surgical inpatient and non-surgical outpatient adults with treatment-refractory epilepsy. At NYU's Rusk Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine and the Stephen D. Hassenfeld Children's Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders she assessed pediatric and adolescent patients diagnosed with cancer, traumatic brain injury, neurodegenerative disorders, developmental disabilities, and learning disabilities. These evaluations were conducted for diagnostic purposes, educational placement, and associated treatment planning including recommendation of related services for NYC Department of Education meetings.

Internship and Post-Doctoral Fellowship

Dr. Rodríguez completed psychoeducational testing and psychotherapy with pediatric patients diagnosed with developmental disabilities, learning disabilities, and dual diagnostic (comorbid) psychological disorders at the Institute for Child and Family Health, in Miami, Fla. She then completed a post-doctoral fellowship in forensic neuropsychology at a private firm based in Miami, Fla., where she worked closely with clients who reported neuropsychological injuries as a result of accidents, medical malpractice, and negligence. Dr. Rodriguez works closely with lawyers who handle civil litigation forensic neuropsychology cases.

A Young Man Struck by a Car While Bicycling

Neuropsychological and psychoeducational evaluation of 19-year-old English-language male involved in a civil lawsuit after being struck by a car while bicycling. The patient was treated in an emergency room for a traumatic brain injury, with loss of consciousness. Dr. Rodriguez performed a detailed record review as well as a comprehensive neuropsychological and psychoeducational assessment. The assessment, in conjunction with records reviewed, yielded a diagnosis of a neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury. Dr. Rodriguez determined that the patient also developed depressive and anxiety-based symptomatology as a result of the accident. Assessment results demonstrated evidence of neuropsychological and psychological injuries directly related to the accident.

A Case of Perinatal Injury

Neuropsychological evaluation of a 6-year-old bilingual (English-Spanish) female involved in a civil lawsuit related to injuries suffered during her complicated hospital birth. Her injuries resulted in hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy (including seizure activity) following intrauterine asphyxia, where she suffered from a depletion of oxygen to her brain. Global neuropsychological deficits were noted in the form of impaired expressive and receptive language abilities, deficits in impulse-control and attention, low pre-academic achievement, and impaired graphomotor control. Results of neuropsychological testing and comprehensive record review yielded diagnoses that included neurocognitive disorder due to traumatic brain injury and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, combined presentation. Assessment results were positively associated with evidence of neuropsychological injuries directly related to the child's perinatal injury.

A Psychological Evaluation for a Defense Insurance Company

A psychological evaluation was performed for a defense insurance company when a 61-year old monolingual Spanish-speaking female sued on the basis of experiencing severe depressive symptomatology after witnessing her brother's injuries in a car accident. Psychological testing, which included the MMPI-2, MCMI-III, as well as symptom validity tests revealed that the patient demonstrated a non-credible response bias. The psychological testing was helpful to the defense in demonstrating malingering.

A Fall from a Ride at an Amusement Park

Psychological evaluation of a 42-year old monolingual (English-speaking) male following a slip and fall accident at an amusement park that led to disc herniation and cervical spine injuries that did not permit him to return to work. The patient sought damages as a plaintiff in a civil lawsuit for physical and psychological symptoms that included depression, fatigue, insomnia and anxiety. A thorough record review and psychological evaluation demonstrated that the accident led to a diagnosis of a single episode major depressive disorder.

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