This volume provides, for the first time, multidisciplinary perspectives on the problem of awareness of deficits following brain injury. Such deficits may involve perception, attention, memory, language, or motor functions, and they can seriously disrupt an individual's ability to function. However, some brain-damaged patients are entirely unaware of the existence or severity of their deficits, even when they are easily noticed by others. In addressing these topics, contributors cover the entire range of neuropsychological syndromes in which problems with awareness of deficit are observed: hemiplegia and hemianopia, amnesia, aphasia, traumatic head injury, dementia, and others. On the clinical side, leading researchers delineate the implications of awareness of deficits for rehabilitation and patient management, and the role of defense mechanisms such as denial. Theoretical discussions focus on the importance of awareness disturbances for better understanding such cognitive processes as attention, consciousness, and monitoring.

Covers the full continuum from early diagnosis and evaluation through rehabilitation, post-acute care, and community re-entry. Includes assessment and treatment, epidemiology, pathophysiology, neuroanatomy, neuroimaging, the neuroscientific basis for rehabilitation, ethical and medicolegal issues, life-care planning, and more.

This volume provides, for the first time, multidisciplinary perspectives on the problem of awareness of deficits following brain injury. Such deficits may involve perception, attention, memory, language, or motor functions, and they can seriously disrupt an individual's ability to function. However, some brain-damaged patients are entirely unaware of the existence or severity of their deficits, even when they are easily noticed by others. In addressing these topics, contributors cover the entire range of neuropsychological syndromes in which problems with awareness of deficit are observed: hemiplegia and hemianopia, amnesia, aphasia, traumatic head injury, dementia, and others. On the clinical side, leading researchers delineate the implications of awareness of deficits for rehabilitation and patient management, and the role of defense mechanisms such as denial. Theoretical discussions focus on the importance of awareness disturbances for better understanding such cognitive processes as attention, consciousness, and monitoring.

Employment outcomes in persons with traumatic brain injury (TBI) are far from ideal and have serious implications for quality of life and financial well-being post-injury. Numerous potential correlates of return to work, including locus of control and awareness of deficit, have been examined in past studies with mixed findings. The current study investigated these issues in a relatively ignored segment of the TBI population--those who receive services through state-funded vocational rehabilitation programs. Thirty State of Alaska Division of Vocational Rehabilitation (DVR) clients with TBI completed comprehensive interviews, the Patient Competency Rating Scale (PCRS), the Internal Control Index (ICI), and several neuropsychological test measures. Overall time spent working decreased from 75% pre-injury to 39% post-injury. Participants with poor vocational outcomes underestimated their level of impairment on the PCRS relative to informant ratings, and generally fared worse post-injury than participants with more accurate awareness of their limitations. Locus of control and cognitive function measures did not predict vocational outcome. Given the need for DVR clients to be aware of their deficits in order to set realistic goals, vocational counselors should address awareness of deficit early in the rehabilitation process to optimize employment outcomes and allocation of resources.

This book offers an empowering approach to working with people with an acquired brain injury (ABI) based upon the views and perspectives of people with ABI themselves. Drawing upon Christine Durham's own ABI experience and Paul Ramcharan’s engagement in disability research over a quarter of a century, this volume gives voice to 36 participants with ABI, as well as carers and other professionals from both urban and rural areas. This unique perspective provides a long-needed, empathic alternative to the deficit-based model of ABI that dominates medical literature and existing rehabilitation models. In Insight into Acquired Brain Injury, the authors use educational and learning principles together with Durham’s extensive archive of experiential data to offer a reframing of the nature and experience of ABI and relevant a set of practical, real-world tools for practitioners. These ready-to-adopt-and-adapt scripts, guided interviews, research checklists, thinking tools and other innovative techniques are designed to engage with people and colleagues about brain injury as a means of supporting them to feel and fare better. With compassion and first-hand awareness, Insight into Acquired Brain Injury provides a much-needed perspective that deepens current understanding and translates the complicated life-worlds of people living with ABI in order to motivate, empower and increase their participation.

The Handbook of Clinical Neurology volumes on Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) provide the reader with an updated review of emerging approaches to TBI research, clinical management and patient rehabilitation. Chapters in Part II offer coverage of clinical sequelae and long-term outcome, brain plasticity and long-term risks, and clinical trials. Contemporary investigations on blast injury and chronic traumatic encephalopathy are presented, making this state-of-the-art volume a must have for clinicians and researchers concerned with the clinical management, or investigation, of TBI. Internationally renowned scientists describe cutting edge research on the neurobiological response to traumatic brain injury, including complications to movement, mood, cognition and more Explores cellular/molecular and genetic factors contributing to plasticity Presents up-to-date expert recommendation for clinical trials and issues related to effective rehabilitation New findings are included on the long-term effects of traumatic brain injury that may impact aging and lead to dementia