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QUESTION 1
1. Thandi is a 10-year-old learner in grade 6. Over the weekend she and her family were
involved in a car accident. She was in the hospital and treated for head injuries for 2 weeks. The
neurologist reports that Thandi experienced physical trauma to her brain that will take time to
heal. The psychologist reports that she has symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction (PTSR)
and will need psychotropic medication and psychotherapy.
1.1. Define neuropsychology.
Neuropsychology is the scientific study of the relationship between brain function and behaviour.
According to Landsberg, Krüger and Swart (2019: 239–258), neuropsychology focuses on how the
structures and processes of the central nervous system (including the brain, brain stem, cerebellum,
and spinal cord) underlie cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functions. It examines how damage
or dysfunction in specific brain areas (e.g., frontal lobes, temporal lobes, basal ganglia) leads to
observable changes in learning, memory, language, attention, perception, and social behaviour.
Neuropsychology integrates knowledge from neurology (the medical study of the nervous system)
and psychology (the study of behaviour and mental processes) to understand how brain injuries or
abnormalities affect a person’s ability to think, feel, and act. In educational contexts,
neuropsychology helps teachers understand how brain damage from accidents (such as Thandi’s car
accident) can result in learning barriers, emotional difficulties, and language problems, and guides
the development of appropriate learning support strategies (Landsberg et al., 2019: 257–258).
1.2. Give two examples of neuro-physical disabilities that Thandi may have developed from the
car accident.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – As described in Landsberg et al. (2019: 265), traumatic brain
injury is caused by severe trauma to the head, resulting in lasting physical and cognitive
impairments. Closed head injuries occur when the brain bounces against the skull due to rapid
acceleration and deceleration in accidents, such as a car crash. Associated problems include
chronic fatigue, pain, memory impairment, paralysis, poor balance, emotional problems, and
vision, speech or hearing difficulties (Landsberg et al., 2019: 265).
Post-traumatic epilepsy – Landsberg et al. (2019: 274) explain that epilepsy is a sudden
disturbance of brain function as a result of unusual electrical activity in brain cells. Brain injury
from trauma (such as a car accident) can cause secondary epilepsy, where the cause can be
identified. Seizures may develop after head trauma, potentially affecting Thandi’s
concentration, memory, and learning. The text notes that epilepsy may lead to intellectual
deterioration if seizures are frequent, severe, and uncontrollable by medication (Landsberg et
al., 2019: 280).
QUESTION 1
1. Thandi is a 10-year-old learner in grade 6. Over the weekend she and her family were
involved in a car accident. She was in the hospital and treated for head injuries for 2 weeks. The
neurologist reports that Thandi experienced physical trauma to her brain that will take time to
heal. The psychologist reports that she has symptoms of Post-Traumatic Stress Reaction (PTSR)
and will need psychotropic medication and psychotherapy.
1.1. Define neuropsychology.
Neuropsychology is the scientific study of the relationship between brain function and behaviour.
According to Landsberg, Krüger and Swart (2019: 239–258), neuropsychology focuses on how the
structures and processes of the central nervous system (including the brain, brain stem, cerebellum,
and spinal cord) underlie cognitive, emotional, and behavioural functions. It examines how damage
or dysfunction in specific brain areas (e.g., frontal lobes, temporal lobes, basal ganglia) leads to
observable changes in learning, memory, language, attention, perception, and social behaviour.
Neuropsychology integrates knowledge from neurology (the medical study of the nervous system)
and psychology (the study of behaviour and mental processes) to understand how brain injuries or
abnormalities affect a person’s ability to think, feel, and act. In educational contexts,
neuropsychology helps teachers understand how brain damage from accidents (such as Thandi’s car
accident) can result in learning barriers, emotional difficulties, and language problems, and guides
the development of appropriate learning support strategies (Landsberg et al., 2019: 257–258).
1.2. Give two examples of neuro-physical disabilities that Thandi may have developed from the
car accident.
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) – As described in Landsberg et al. (2019: 265), traumatic brain
injury is caused by severe trauma to the head, resulting in lasting physical and cognitive
impairments. Closed head injuries occur when the brain bounces against the skull due to rapid
acceleration and deceleration in accidents, such as a car crash. Associated problems include
chronic fatigue, pain, memory impairment, paralysis, poor balance, emotional problems, and
vision, speech or hearing difficulties (Landsberg et al., 2019: 265).
Post-traumatic epilepsy – Landsberg et al. (2019: 274) explain that epilepsy is a sudden
disturbance of brain function as a result of unusual electrical activity in brain cells. Brain injury
from trauma (such as a car accident) can cause secondary epilepsy, where the cause can be
identified. Seizures may develop after head trauma, potentially affecting Thandi’s
concentration, memory, and learning. The text notes that epilepsy may lead to intellectual
deterioration if seizures are frequent, severe, and uncontrollable by medication (Landsberg et
al., 2019: 280).
