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The authors are credited with putting cognitive rehabilitation
on the map for a generation of clinicians, researchers, educators,
and students with their Introduction to Cognitive Rehabilitation,
published in 1989. This latest book shows, in great detail, the
growth and development in this area of theoretical and practical
endeavour.
This voluminous book is divided into 15 chapters, each of which
contains a thorough presentation of a specific issue, followed by
a summary and references. Following an “Introduction to Cognitive
Rehabilitation,” the chapter on neurological disorders associated
with cognitive impairment covers the following: traumatic brain
injury, cerebrovascular accident, hypoxic-hypertensive brain injury,
encephalitis and other infectious disorders, and cerebral tumours,
as well as medical diagnostic techniques. The authors present the
breadth of mechanisms operative in recovery, from the molecular
to the psychological. The next chapter deals with the assessment
of the outcome and the possibilities for the patient’s future.
Attention disorders and their management are detailed, along with
memory theory applied to intervention. Further chapters present
the use of external aids in cognitive rehabilitation and management
of dysexecutive symptoms (that is, loss of abilities involved in
planning, initiating, and regulating behaviour). Subsequent chapters
elucidate the assessment and management of unawareness—particularly
as a result of acquired brain injury—and communication issues
such as aphasia, behaviour changes, depression and anxiety, working
collaboratively with families, rehabilitation of children with acquired
cognitive impairment, and management strategies for mild traumatic
brain injury.
Several tables serve to identify special issues discussed in the
text.
Despite dual authorship, the language is uniformly smooth, clear,
and easily comprehensible. The planning and execution of this work
shows vast experience and competence. The layout is attractive and
free of production errors. The price is reasonable. This book should
be made available to all professionals working institutionally or
independently in the field of cognitive rehabilitation and also
to those with an interest in the field.
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