|
Brain
Injury Basics
Brain
Injury Basics has been developed by the Edmonton
Brain Injury Relearning Society who have been
providing services since 1993.
The underlying premises of Brain Injury Basics
are that to be effective in community based
rehabilitation there must be an understanding
of the following four factors.
the
person*s interests, skills, and abilities both
before and after his/her brain injury.
the
type, severity and effects of the person's brain
injury.
the
demands of the activity or task the person chooses
to do.
the
characteristics and demands of the environment
in which an activity or task takes place.
Brain
Injury Basics stresses the importance of developing
individualized strategies that fit for the person,
the environments he/she is involved in, and
the activities the person finds meaningful.
In community based rehabilitation, developing
and using strategies is a way of working towards
increased independence for the brain-injured
person and compensating for lost or affected
skills. Using a team approach while working
in partnership with the person and treating
him/her with dignity and respect is of the greatest
importance when developing and using strategies.
The
three sections of the manual provide a basis
for addressing the four factors listed above
through community based rehabilitation. The
three sections of the manual are:
Brain
Basics provides information on the brain
itself; the types of damage that may occur
to the brain and explains professional terminology
in plain language. A general description of
some of the effects of brain injury most commonly
observed in a community based setting follows.
The last part of the Brain Basics section
provides a number of general strategies for
assisting an individual who has experienced
a brain injury. In a sense, these strategies
also provide information on the complexity
of the effects of brain injury, but do not
take individual characteristics and personality
factors into account. General strategies are
presented for the areas of attention; memory;
lack of insight and denial of disability;
poor emotional control; sexuality; agitation,
anger and aggression; depression and withdrawal;
difficulty carrying out a plan of action;
difficulty understanding what others are saying;
difficulty saying what you want to say; and
impulsiveness and difficulty holding back.
Toolbox
for the Community, provides more specific
strategies and tools for community based rehabilitation.
Using these tools is a way to analyse activities
and tasks in relation to the individual's
past and present skills, capacity and interests.
The tools are meant to be used across home
and community settings to create a picture
of strengths, challenges and environmental
factors that have an impact on the person's
present skills and abilities. The tool are
used in "Real Life" complex community environments
as compared to structured rehabilitation settings.
Cognitive Coaching (adapted with permission
from the "Art of Cognitive Coaching) is presented
as a way of working with people that increases
critical thinking skills and assists them
in regaining and exerting a sense of personal
power and control over their lives (empowerment)
This section of the manual provides specific
teaching strategies, memory and organization
strategies, behavior analysis strategies,
and includes sample worksheets, checklists,
ideas and tools, information gathering logs,
and an observation form.
Community
Networks, addresses the development of
the community as a partner in the rehabilitation
process. The skills discussed in this part
of the manual are helpful in finding supportive,
meaningful environments that provide individuals
with a way to contribute to the community
in a fulfilling way. Topics included in this
section are preparing for community entry,
locating opportunities in the community, educational
opportunities, confidentiality and the community,
and professional boundaries. Specific ideas
and strategies for volunteering are provided
e.g. finding, contacting, the interview, evaluating
the "fit" of the site, enhancing success for
both the individual and the site, as well
as bringing closure.
Taken
together, the three sections of the manual provide
a basis for addressing the four factors listed
above. They also provide an information base
for community based rehabilitation. "Hands-on"
training and experience are important components
that are not addressed in this manual. For the
strategies and information to be used effectively,
a practicum or training period is necessary
and complementary.
Information
presented in easy to read format, lots of suggestions
and ideas for implementing strategies. Will
provide insights into assisting an individual
with an brain injury versus an individual with
a developmental disability. Stresses empowerment,
personal choice and the development of critical
thinking skills or cognitive coaching. The Cognitive
Thinking concept has been adapted for use with
persons with brain injuries.
| Available from:
|
 |
Edmonton Brain Injury Relearning Society
311 Royal Alex Place
10106 - 111 Avenue Edmonton, Alberta
need postal code
Telephone: (780) 477-7575
Fax: (780) 471-4288
E-mail: info@ebirs.ab.ca
|
Description
of Resource: Coil bound manual,75 pages
Approximate
Cost: $59.99 (Canadian)
Links:
The Centre for Cognitive Thinking www.cognitivecoaching.com
|
