title: Systematic instruction of assistive technology for cognition (ATC) in an employment setting following acquired brain injury: A single case, experimental study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Assistive technology for cognition (ATC) can be an effective means of compensating for cognitive impairments following acquired brain injury. Systematic instruction is an evidence-based approach to training a variety of skills and strategies, including the use of ATC.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study experimentally evaluated systematic instruction applied to assistive technology for cognition (ATC) in a vocational setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study used a single-case, multiple-probe design across behaviors design. The participant was a 50-year old female with cognitive impairments following an acquired brain injury (ABI). As a part-time employee, she was systematically instructed on how to operate and routinely use selected applications (apps) on her iPod Touch to support three work-related skills: (a) recording/recalling the details of work assignments, (b) recording/recalling work-related meetings and conversations, and (c) recording/performing multi-step technology tasks. The experimental intervention was systematic instruction applied to ATC. The dependent measures were: (a) the use of ATC at work as measured by an ATC routine task analysis; and (b) recall of work-related tasks and information.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Treatment effects were replicated across the three work-related skills and were maintained up to one year following the completion of intensive training across behaviors with periodic review (booster sessions).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Systematic instruction is a critical component to teaching the routine use of ATC to compensate for cognitive impairments following ABI.
authors.affiliation: Center on Brain Injury Research & Training, Eugene, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Laurie E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Powell
authors.affiliation: Center on Brain Injury Research & Training, Eugene, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Ann
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Glang
authors.affiliation: George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pinkelman
authors.affiliation: College of Education, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Albin
authors.affiliation: Seattle University, Seattle, WA, USA.
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Harwick
authors.affiliation: College of Education, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, USA.
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ettel
authors.affiliation: Acquired Brain Injury Program, Coastline Community College, Newport Beach, CA, USA.
authors.forename: Michelle R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Wild
mesh_terms: D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D003071:Cognition; D003072:Cognition Disorders / Q000209:etiology* / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D004651:Employment; D005260:Female; D005793:Generalization, Psychological; D006801:Humans; D011939:Mental Recall; D008875:Middle Aged; D063731:Mobile Applications; D015588:Observer Variation; D012050:Rehabilitation, Vocational; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D014163:Transfer, Psychology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Employment; assistive technology; brain injury; cognition; cognitive support technology; errorless learning; generalization; systematic instruction; transfer of learning; vocational rehabilitation