Online Neuropsychological Diagnostics of Children: Maintaining the Principles of a Cultural-Historical Approach

Abstract

This article presents the experience of adapting diagnostic materials and conducting neuropsychological diagnostics online at the Luria Research Center of Developmental Neuropsychology in 2020-2022 during the coronavirus pandemic. The primary objective of the team during this period was to preserve the diagnostic potential of the neuropsychological assessment methods for children developed at the Center under the guidance of J. M. Glozman based on A. R. Luria’s classical battery and to validate them for preschool- and school-age children. In this context, preserving the principles of a cultural-historical approach to the development of higher mental functions during ontogenesis played an important role. In practice, during direct communication with a child, these principles include dialogic interaction during the diagnostic process; quantitative and qualitative assessment of examination results; time limitations for testing related to the age characteristics of children; and the implementation of a play-based approach within the framework of the leading activity. Considering the need for qualified adaptation of neuropsychological diagnostic methods for children for an online format, painstaking work was carried out at the Luria Research Center under the guidance of J. M. Glozman. As a result, electronic versions of diagnostic albums for preschool and school-age children were created, some tasks and instructions were modified, and age restrictions for the use of the methods were introduced. This article provides examples of such modifications and a detailed description of the preparatory phase and technical support for conducting a child’s online neuropsychological assessment in collaboration with parents. This work made it possible to maintain the principles of a cultural-historical approach in online neuropsychological diagnostics of children.