At what point after a spinal cord injury is a psychological evaluation made? - Jonathon Rose, PhD

There should be an evaluation really in the emergency room as soon as the person is stable. There should be another evaluation as soon as the person is admitted into rehabilitation. And, the psychologist should keep in contact with that person throughout the rehabilitation process because they’re learning what their limitations are going to be, what their abilities are, what’s going to be hard, what’s going to be easier. And, then we check in with people—we do a three month post-rehab evaluation after they go home. We tell people what’s it likely to be like when they get home and they seldom believe us. Things are a lot easier in a hospital where everything is designed for people in wheelchairs.  So, then we reassess how well they’re able to adapt in their own home and we see them again nine months after that. And, then at least once year for the rest of their life, as they continue to adapt and their bodies begin to change.