Assistive technology: A compensatory strategy for work production post mild brain injury

Issue title: Executive Function in the Workplace

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Hartmann, Kimberly D.

Affiliations: 200 Squaw Lane, Guilford, CT 06437, USA. Tel.: +1 203 458 0218; E-mail: [email protected]

Abstract: This case study describes the changes in the quantity of work production of a 32 year-old male paralegal secondary to a mild brain injury from a racquetball racket blow to the frontal lobe area. The case illustrates how a work analysis can serve as an effective evaluation tool and how the utilization of assistive technology can circumvent executive functioning challenges and improve work production and client self-reported self-esteem. This evaluative and intervention process may be highly effective in mild-brain injury where executive functioning disorders cannot be identified through typical methods. Yet a detailed comparison of work productivity pre and post injury through work samples, interviews, and observations may be a powerful system to differentiate changes in executive functioning.

Keywords: Compensatory tools, text to speech, electronic note taking

DOI: 10.3233/WOR-2010-1048

Journal: Work, vol. 36, no. 4, pp. 399-404, 2010