Compensating for executive function impairments after TBI: a single case study of functional intervention

The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effectiveness of compensatory strategies for impairments in executive function. The strategies were designed to enable a client with traumatic brain injury (TBI) to obtain professional employment. In a series of individual speech-language therapy sessions, compensatory strategies were developed, refined, and trained in mock-interview situations. Significant improvements were noted in report-writing accuracy and self-reported stress during report-writing. The client was able to obtain and maintain competitive employment in his chosen profession. The results support the use of strategies aimed at supporting executive function to improve performance on verbal tasks, and were informative regarding the effects of self-perceived efficacy and stress on performance after TBI. They illustrate that intervention based on real-life supports may be effective even many years post-TBI. LEARNING OUTCOMES: At the conclusion of this article, readers will: (1) identify aspects of executive function that relate to communication in the workplace, (2) describe the steps in considering intervention within a single subject research design framework, and (3) consider the effects of stress and perceived self-efficacy on performance of communication tasks.