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Biomedical subjects

M D Wesolowski

Publications and source records attributed to M D Wesolowski.

8 recordsLinked to original sources

Managing hypersexual disorders in brain-injured clients.

Three case studies involving hypersexuality in brain-injured clients are illustrated. Two cases involved the inappropriate touching of the opposite sex, and the third case involved exhibitionism. In one case of touching, feedback was used to decrease inappropriate touching. In the other case of touching, scheduled massage was used to shift stimulus control to an appropriate setting. In the case of exhibitionism, a combination of self-monitoring, private self-stimulation and dating-skills training were used to suppress the behaviour.

Adult

The rehabilitation of adolescents with traumatic brain injury: outcome and follow-up.

Outcome data from 17 brain-injured adolescents discharged from a rehabilitation centre during a 2-year period were analysed. The outcome measures were academic status and living environment. The descriptive variables were demographic, behavioural, psychological and neuropsychological data for each client. Before admission, 24% of the adolescents were living at home with their parents, 29% were in rehabilitation hospitals and 47% were in psychiatric settings. At discharge, 58% were living with their families, 23% were living in group homes, 12% were in supervised apartments and 5% were in an alternative rehabilitation centre. Academically, 53% were discharged into public schools, 23% were competitively employed and 23% attended special schools. Follow-up reports, dated 8-24 months post-discharge, found that 40% of the adolescents continued to live with their parents and 30% were in public schools. All of the adolescents were living and working or attending school in the community. Factors in the successful rehabilitation of brain-injured adolescents are discussed.

Achievement

Improving executive function disorders in brain-injured clients.

In 1983, Lezak described executive functioning as the ability to engage in independent, purposeful, self-directive and self-serving behaviour. Self initiation, problem-solving and self-monitoring or regulation of behaviour are important components of executive functioning. This paper presents the results of efforts to improve executive functioning in three areas: problem solving, self-initiation and self-regulation.

Activities of Daily Living

Memory notebook training with traumatically brain-injured clients.

Four brain-injured clients continually demonstrated short-term memory deficits including difficulty learning new material and forgetting appointments. Training in the use of memory notebooks improved performance of homework assignments and keeping appointments.

Adult

Assessing and treating non-compliance in brain-injured clients.

Assessment of non-compliance has been discussed. This included exploration of reinforcement contingencies, age appropriateness, cultural background and social background. Several perspectives on this have been addressed. Memory deficits are also critical when assessing non-compliance. Specifically, when the TBI person has severe memory deficits. Consequence management and antecedent control techniques have shown to be highly effective in promoting participation. Additionally, non-compliance should not necessarily be viewed as non-desirable, in fact, the client may be communicating preferred and non-preferred interests. It is important to recognize individual talents, interests and preferences. This is a significant point when you consider that TBI survivors had pre-injury lifestyles, i.e. full-time employment, a working social network, and preferred interests and activities.

Amnesia