Lea-Ann Pileggi

Neuropsychologist

MA Neuropsychology (UCT) | PhD Psych (UCT)
Practice No: 1041304 | HPCSA: PS0147230

Neuropsychologists are interested in brain-behaviour relationships. We are interested in how the brain works and its influences over human behaviour, cognition, and functioning. A typical neuropsychological assessment provides information regarding cognitive abilities, behavioural, social-emotional, and psychological functioning (see Services).

A neuropsychologist relates these abilities and aspects of functioning to the brain. As neuropsychologist, my goal is to develop an understanding of the nature and origin of the challenges experienced, make a diagnosis (if applicable), and provide specific recommendations for appropriate management and/or treatment. Recommendations may be in the form of continued short-term psychoeducation sessions and/or referral to other specialist clinicians.

I am a registered Neuropsychologist based at Stone Village Wellness in Lakeside, Cape Town. I completed my Masters in Psychology in 2012, specialising in Neuropsychology. Since then I have had the opportunity to work in various settings in and around Cape Town, including Groote Schuur Hospital, Red Cross Children’s Hospital and their Division of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, as well as in private practice.

I have also been part of the Clinical Neuropsychology teaching team at the University of Cape Town. Here I assisted with training and supervision of Masters students’ assessments of adult and pediatric patients.

I believe that knowledge is powerful, and that understanding what one is experiencing and why can go a long way in improving the quality of life experienced.

I work with individuals of all ages (from as young as 3 years of age).
I offer assessments in English, Afrikaans, as well as isiXhosa.
I offer treatment in the form of short-term psychoeducation sessions (where indicated).
I conduct medico-legal assessments (e.g., claims against the road accident fund, disability grants).

Children and adolescents: I gained much experience and expertise during my masters and doctoral work, which entailed working with children on the Autism Spectrum as well as neurotypical children and adolescents. For my doctoral thesis, my focus was broadly on behavioural disorders in children and adolescents, with a special focus on what it is that makes children behave aggressively.
Adults: I have much experience and interest in working with adults with any brain injury and/or mental health condition/s that may be impacting on their cognitive functioning or quality of life.
Traumatic brain injury: I have experience and expertise in this area, and have conducted numerous medico-legal assessments related to acquired head and/or brain injuries.

Services

Assessment

I provide assessments for a wide range of conditions. Assessments are often required to make a diagnosis. In the instance where a diagnosis is already known, a neuropsychological assessment is valuable as it can characterise the nature and extent of the challenges experienced.

Psychoeducation

I offer short-term psychoeducation sessions with clients and families where appropriate following assessment. The goal of psychoeducation is to help the client (and family) understand the condition. This may include talking about the nature, cause, progression, consequences, and available treatment options.

Medico-legal assessment

I offer medico-legal assessments. These may be required, for example, when one has to provide information regarding capacity to work following an accident or when there are queries surrounding disability.

Children and adolescents

General cognitive functioning assessment
Attention and concentration difficulties
Learning difficulties
Behavioural difficulties and intervention strategies
Neurodiversity Assessment (e.g., Autism Spectrum Disorder)
Neurological conditions (e.g., traumatic brain injury, epilepsy)
Psychiatric conditions that affect cognitive and emotional functioning (e.g., anxiety, depression)

Adults

Neurodiversity Assessment (e.g., ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder)
Memory difficulties and dementia assessments (e.g., Alzheimer’s Disease, Parkinson’s)
Cognitive functioning related to neurological conditions (e.g., traumatic brain injuries, strokes, epilepsy)
Medical conditions leading to cognitive and/or behavioral difficulties (e.g., cognitive difficulties following Covid-19, metabolic illness)

Medico-legal

Capacity to work following accident
Assessment of head injury for road accident fund claims