A Practical Guide to Head Injury Rehabilitation: A Focus on Postacute Residential Treatment

by Michael D. Wesolowski, Arnie H. Zencius

Overview

Behavioral neuropsychology presents at once achallenge and an opportunity for the field ofbehavior analysis. A great diversity of problem areas-including education, classroom management, child rearing, retardation, and industry­ have been treated effectively by the behavior analytic approach, which has traditionally and quite deliberately chosen to deemphasize physiology and cognitive variables. Yet brain injury, by its nature, entails neurological insult that is often closely related to specific cognitive dysfunctions. The challenge for behavior analysis is to develop effective treatments for a disorder with such clearly defined tripartite characteristics. The opportunity exists for be­ havior analysis to expand its conceptual basis as well as to provide benefits to patients otherwise despairing of assistance. Case histories demonstrate over 20 years of successful applications of behavior analysis to brain-injured in­ dividuals, indicating that some applications are possible, but are these reports notable exceptions or the harbingers of a new general therapeutic approach? The present book describes an overall focused behaviaral program far dealing with the diversity of brain injury problems in a general brain injury rehabilitation setting. The authors describe what types of neurological damage are associated with specific types of cognitive/emotional dysfunction and in turn with specific types ofbehavioral dysfunction, thereby demonstrating how the choice ofbehavioral treatment is guided by the neurological and subjective assessment. The result is a conceptually unified approach. The distinctive value of this book lies in the detail as well as the pro­ grammatic guidelines for actual implementation ofthis behavioral approach.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780306444272
Publisher:	Springer US
Publication date:	11/30/1993
Series:	Critical Issues in Neuropsychology
Edition description:	1994
Pages:	239
Product dimensions:	6.14(w) x 9.21(h) x 0.36(d)

Table of Contents

1 Introduction.- 2 Applied Behavior Analysis.- 3 Developing the Rehabilitation Plan.- 4 The Daily Routine.- 5 Staff Training.- 6 Procedures for Cognitive Problems.- 7 Procedures for Behavior Problems.- 8 Procedures for Health and Medical Problems.- 9 The Role of the Family.- Appendix A: Performance Analysis.- Appendix B: Practitioner Forms for Memory.- Appendix C: TBI Education Curriculum.- Appendix D: Social Skills Curriculum.- Appendix E: Home Trip Observation Scale.- References.

Editorial Reviews

Reviewer: Valerie Y. Ito, MD (Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago)
Description: This is a how-to book on the management of behavioral issues that can arise after brain injury.
Purpose: The purpose is to present behavioral management techniques that are found to be effective in a residential setting. These techniques can be brought into other environmental situations.
Audience: This book is written for all members of an interdisciplinary treatment team who may be involved in the treatment of such patients, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, vocational counselors, nurses, social workers, and case managers. The majority of the information is basic in nature, but it would assist in the development of program policies and procedures for staff getting started in this field. I do not believe this book would be helpful for staff experienced in the field.
Features: The majority of illustrations relate to forms that can be used in clinical practice and case examples. Although the forms are sometimes small, they are clear and ready for use in practice. The references are relatively current, but they are all found at the end of the book. It would be easier to follow if pertinent references were done by chapter. This book gives concrete solutions to the basic behavioral issues that a treatment team faces during rehabilitation. The summary at the end of each chapter is helpful in locating specific information within the text.
Assessment: This is a concise, well-written book on the basic behavioral issues faced by an interdisciplinary team in the treatment of a brain-injured patient.

Doody's Review Service

This is a how-to book on the management of behavioral issues that can arise after brain injury. The purpose is to present behavioral management techniques that are found to be effective in a residential setting. These techniques can be brought into other environmental situations. This book is written for all members of an interdisciplinary treatment team who may be involved in the treatment of such patients, including physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, vocational counselors, nurses, social workers, and case managers. The majority of the information is basic in nature, but it would assist in the development of program policies and procedures for staff getting started in this field. I do not believe this book would be helpful for staff experienced in the field. The majority of illustrations relate to forms that can be used in clinical practice and case examples. Although the forms are sometimes small, they are clear and ready for use in practice. The references are relatively current, but they are all found at the end of the book. It would be easier to follow if pertinent references were done by chapter. This book gives concrete solutions to the basic behavioral issues that a treatment team faces during rehabilitation. The summary at the end of each chapter is helpful in locating specific information within the text. This is a concise, well-written book on the basic behavioral issues faced by an interdisciplinary team in the treatment of a brain-injured patient.

Valerie Y. Ito

Presents guidelines for implementation of a focused behavioral program for dealing with the diversity of brain injury problems in a general brain injury rehabilitation setting. Describes what types of neurological damage are associated with specific types of cognitive/emotional dysfunction and in turn with specific types of behavioral dysfunction. Clearly states general guidelines for treatment staff, and includes case examples as well as instructions for training the staff and maintaining staff competence and motivation. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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