Apraxia: The Neural Network Model

The work will be a reanalysis and reconceptualization of the concept of apraxia. Apraxia is currently understood as a motor speech disorder but an analysis of the neural network properties of apraxia indicate a more complex and far reaching disorder with implications for intentionality, motor coordination and motor control of response inhibition in a variety of human behavioral and emotional reactions. A thorough redefinition of apraxia will be provided along with suggestions for diagnoses and treatment. The primary audience will be diagnostic and treating professionals in a variety of disciplines (outlined above). Secondarily, the book will provide an argument and justification for considering developmental apraxia pf speech to be a separate and discrete white matter based disorder. Finally, this work will serve as a driver of future research in the area.

Dr. Ted Wasserman is board certified in clinical psychology by the American Board of Professional Psychology and board certified in pediatric neuropsychology by the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology. He is a member of the American Academy of Clinical Psychology and the American Academy of Pediatric Neuropsychology as a result of these board certifications. Dr. Wasserman, a Licensed Psychologist in the State of Florida, completed his doctorate at Hofstra University in 1974. He completed a one-year internship in pediatric neuropsychology at North Shore University Medical Center. Postdoctoral training was completed in Cognitive Behavior Therapy at the Institute for Advanced Study of Rational Psychotherapy under the supervision of Albert Ellis PHD. Dr. Wasserman holds memberships in the National Academy of Neuropsychology and the International Neuropsychological Society and is a founding member and past president of American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology.

Dr. Wasserman is the co-author of two books, Depathologizing Psychopathology and Neurocognitive Learning Therapy: Theory and practice, published by Springer in 2017 and 2018 respectively. Dr. Wasserman has contributed chapters to various books on clinical issues related to family law, autism, and attention deficit disorder and learning disorders. Topics of published papers include children’s development, attention, language and executive function, behavior management and cognitive behavior therapy. He has given invited lectures and provided consultation regarding pediatric neuropsychology throughout the United States and internationally.

Lori Drucker Wasserman has been in clinical practice since 1982. Dr. Wasserman received her Bachelor of Arts degree from New York University and both her Masters and her Ph.D. in Clinical Psychology at Hofstra University. Dr. Wasserman is a licensed psychologist and is Board Certified in Pediatric Neuropsychology by the American Board of Pediatric Neuropsychology. She is also a certified School Psychologist. Dr. Wasserman is certified as a trained examiner for the Brazelton Neonatal Behavioral Assessment Scale.

Dr. Wasserman has worked at the Astor Day Treatment Center in the Bronx with children between the ages of 5 – 18 and the Early Intervention Program in Palm Beach County evaluating children between the ages of birth and three years.  She has extensive experience in the assessment, diagnosis and planning for children with special needs, emotional and educational concerns. Dr. Wasserman has also had extensive treatment experience in working with individuals across the life spectrum applying the practices of Neurocognitive Learning Therapy.  

Dr. Wasserman has co-authored two books on neuroscience and mental health, and has published multiple articles on the neuroscience of attention and executive function.