It took me a while but I want to contribute more to the �pathfinding/wayfinding� discussion. In checking with other disciplines (speech, psych) I realized that they use a similar phrase � �route-finding� when involved in cognitive rehab therapy. It falls into the broad category of �executive functions� in cognitive rehabilitation.
I don�t know of any standard/formal test for �route-finding, pathfinding, wayfinding� but the most direct evaluation I can find is the �Woodrow Wilson Rehab Center for Executive Function Route-Finding Task�. It is in a book called Introduction to Cognitive Rehabilitation by Sohlberg and Mateer. This test scores 6 areas when looking at how a person carries out a route-finding task. Task understanding � realizes purpose and goal of task Incorporation of information seeking - how to obtain directions for route Retaining directions � methods needed to compensate for memory loss Error detection � realizing an mistake was made during task Error correction � using a strategy to correct an mistake On-task behavior � gets job done by dealing with distraction In my daily therapy I base my route-finding activities on a rating scale called the Good Samaritan Hospital Center for Cognitive Rehabilitation Executive Functions Rating Scale (Puyallup, Washington). It is a very comprehensive scale for evaluating performance but has 3 main areas (with many subdivisions): Selection and execution of cognitive plans- the ability to plan and follow through with the necessary steps to achieve a desired goal. Time Management- the ability to accurately judge the passage of units of time and regulates behavior in terms of time constraints Self � Regulation- the ability to utilize internal and external feedback to control the variety and quality of behaviors exhibited. Last year an OT student here developed a hierarchy of route-finding activities (I usually refer to them as outings) that can be carried out during a therapy session. These are graded from starting out finding places in the therapy gym, moving around the building, then eventually branching out into other buildings until eventually going out into the community surrounding the hospital grounds. Each activity includes a series of subtasks that the person is required to complete along with the route-finding activity. The hierarchy provides a nice way to see how a person improves over time. The improvement can be more formally documented by using the scales noted above. I especially like the activities because they are very interactive, active, non-tabletop, non-worksheet, non-interview based activities for evaluating performance. Rob Koch We are looking at "pathfinding and wayfinding" as essentially the same thing, it appears both ways in some of the literature but I'm not sure if there is a specific difference. We are hoping to get a better idea of how to assess how functional our acute rehab patients will be in both familiar and new environments. Certainly there is both a cognitive and functional component to an impairment in these areas. Ultimately, we are trying to: 1. define the roles of OT, PT, Speech and Language Pathologists and recreation therapists in the assessment and treatment of folks who have these impairments. 2. find and good standard tests and treatments That is somewhat broad, but I hope it helps. Thanks Need Functional Therapy Activities? http://hometown.aol.com/MrFunction --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? Yahoo! Mail - 250MB free storage. Do more. Manage less. -- Unsubscribe? [EMAIL PROTECTED] Change options? www.otnow.com/mailman/options/otlist_otnow.com Archive? www.mail-archive.com/[email protected] Help? [EMAIL PROTECTED]
