Participatory design with Individuals who have Amnesia

We present experiences and insights into participatory design with individuals who have anterograde amnesia and therefore have extreme difficulty storing new memories. We discuss our design of the design process, and present a set of techniques used to support memory during and between design sessions. From this experience, we identify cognitive assumptions of participatory design that break down when working with amnestics. We generalize these ideas into an analytical framework for researchers and practitioners who intend to use participatory design with persons having various kinds of cognitive impairments. We illustrate the framework by analyzing a cognitive deficit unrelated to memory that we encountered, and an unanticipated benefit from what at first appeared to be a liability in working with this design team

The everyday functioning of individuals with cognitive difficulties and their families : going beyond neuropsychological assessment

The portfolio has three parts:Part One is a systematic literature review, in which the theoretical, conceptual and empirical literature relating to the active involvement of family members in interventions for adults with memory impairment is reviewed.Part Two is an empirical paper, which explores how objective cognitive performance translates into self-reported cognitive skills and diabetes self-management in individual with Type 1 Diabetes.Part Three comprises the appendices

Return to Self: Impact of Long Term Acquired Brain Injury Rehabilitation on Community Reintegration

The purpose of this study is to examine the outcomes of a long term brain injury rehabilitation program and its impact on community re-integration. This unique facility is licensed as a Long-Term Care Facility, able to provide longer lengths of stay to treat medical and psychological needs. All residents of this facility have a diagnosis of Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) as well as a mental illness. The mental illness may have existed prior to the brain injury, or may have arisen or worsened as a result of the brain injury. This program combines traditional rehabilitation therapy (Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Speech Therapy, and Recreational Therapy) with skilled psychological services to provide holistic treatment of ABI. Quantitative assessment results were collected on a data form and combined with therapist observation via facility documentation to obtain the results of the study. Residents\u27 skills, behaviors, and rehabilitation progress were observed in group therapy settings, individual therapy settings, and community outings. Assessment outcomes from admission to discharge were analyzed through statistical analysis. The hypothesis is that outcomes data and therapist feedback will show that this program improves functional abilities of individuals with ABI and provides them with the skills to successfully transition to a lower level of care

Understanding the public health problem among current and former military personnel

The Report to Congress on Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Understanding the Public Health Problem among Current and Former Military Personnel is a publication of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH) in collaboration with the Department of Defense (DOD) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).Since the beginning of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) (Afghanistan) and Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), public health and health care-communities have become aware of the increased rates of traumatic brain injury (TBI) among active duty U.S. military personnel. Epidemiologic and clinical studies suggest that many of these military service-related injuries have serious long-term health and socioeconomic consequences.In response to these public health and medical concerns, Congress passed the Traumatic Brain Injury Act of 2008 (TBI Act of 2008), which requires the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in consultation with the Department of Defense (DoD) and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), to determine how best to improve the collection and dissemination of information on the incidence and prevalence of TBI among persons who were formerly in the military; and to make recommendations on the manner in which CDC, NIH, DoD, and VA can collaborate further on the development and improvement of TBI diagnostic tools and treatments. To that end, the CDC, NIH, DoD, and VA formed a Leadership Panel of experts with extensive experience in epidemiologic and clinical research, and in treating and managing TBI and its consequences.This report presents the major findings and recommendations of the Leadership Panel and a review of relevant scientific literature and a thorough examination of current TBI-related activities and programs conducted by the four agencies/departments. It describes the public health importance of military service- related TBI, recommends how to measure the magnitude of the health and socioeconomic impact of TBI and suggests ways in which the four agencies/departments can collaborate further on the development and improvement of TBI diagnostic tools and treatments.Suggested Citation: The CDC, NIH, DoD, and VA Leadership Panel. Report to Congress on Traumatic Brain Injury in the United States: Understanding the Public Health Problem among Current and Former Military Personnel. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), the Department of Defense (DoD), and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). 2013.Preface -- Goals of the Report -- Members of the Leadership Panel -- Executive Summary -- I. Introduction -- II. Pathophysiology and Mechanisms -- III. Diagnosis -- IV. Treatment -- V. Prognosis and Recovery -- VI. Surveillance -- VII. Epidemiology -- VIII. Prevention -- IX. Recommendation

The Popular Policeman and Other Cases

In this compelling title, two distinguished scholars share their experiences as expert witnesses in cases ranging from eyewitness testimony, person identification and recovered memories, to false confessions, collaborative storytelling and causal attribution, in the context of various interrogation techniques and their ability to deliver reliable results. Each chapter describes in lucid, entertaining prose a representative case in the context of scholarly literature to date, showing how psychological expertise has been (and can be) used in a legal setting. The cases include petty and serious crime, from illegal gambling, infringed trademarks and risqué courtship behaviour, to honour killing and death on the climbing wall. The authors' findings and recommendations apply to legal systems worldwide. There is no other English-language textbook covering a similarly wide range of offences, and this volume will fill a gap in the existing literature and demonstrate how psychological expertise can be used in a much larger area than is often realised.Psychologisch onderzoek is voor de rechter niet altijd gemakkelijk toe te passen binnen de context van een strafrechtelijk of civiel geding. Inzichten in de werking van het geheugen, het gedrag, logisch denkvermogen en het nemen van beslissingen kunnen uitkomst bieden als er sprake is van valse voorwendselen, fraude, diefstal of zelfs moord, maar vaak is daar wel de toelichting van een deskundige voor nodig. Op onderhoudende en toegankelijke wijze beschrijven rechtspsychologen Willem Albert Wagenaar en Hans Crombag tot in detail vijftien representatieve zaken uit de Nederlandse rechtspraak, hun rol daarin als deskundige, en hoe het afliep. Naast de betrouwbaarheid van ooggetuigenverklaringen en bekentenissen is er aandacht voor de psychologische aspecten van minder gangbare onderwerpen zoals illegaal gokken, verwarrende consumentenvoorlichting en seksuele intimidatie. The Popular Policeman and Other Cases vult een belangrijke lacune in de bestaande literatuur over de psychologie in de rechtszaal. Niet eerder werd er buiten de Verenigde Staten in één boek zo uitgebreid en gedetailleerd aandacht besteed aan zoveel uiteenlopende zaken. Het boek is in eerste instantie geschreven voor het hoger onderwijs, maar ook buiten de collegezaal zal dit boek op de nodige belangstelling kunnen rekenen

Disaster Relief and Psychological First Aid

Many organizations that assist in the aftermath of disasters often do not provide psychological relief. Although people tend to be rather resilient in the face of traumatic events, the psychological distress and possible psychopathology that can ensue should not be taken lightly. This manual was created to be used as a training tool for those involved in disaster relief and aid work. A review of the literature, mental health disorders, basic information about disasters, common stress reactions, and Psychological First Aid are included. Although Psychological First Aid has not really been systematically studied, it appears to be promising in aiding trauma survivors

Brain Injury in Children: Assessment and School-based Interventions

A traumatic brain injury is an acquired injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability or psychosocial impairment that adversely affects a child\u27s educational performance. It is considered the leading cause of mortality and disability among children with estimates of over one million occurrences each year. The 1990 revision of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act included Traumatic Brain Injury as a special education diagnostic category. Although this allowed students greater access to appropriate services, it pointed out the need for additional knowledge and training for educators working with this population. Therefore, a review of published studies on assessment and school-based interventions for students with TBI was conducted. Assessment included both formal, standardized measures and informal methods. Despite the apparent need, few empirical studies have examined rehabilitation for children and adolescents who have sustained a head injury. Treatment approaches were divided into three categories: cognitive remediation, social/behavioral interventions, and the impact of the family on child outcome. Evidence was found supporting all three areas, but more studies are needed to confirm the findings as well as study the duration of effects over time. Finally, recommendations for components of a school based intervention program are outlined