The structure of spatial representation in four congenitally and three adventitiously blind 11-year-old children was examined by means of pointing, mapping, drawing, and spatial reasoning on two simple routes over repeated trials. (Author)

This paper summarizes, integrates and evaluates the literature on adventitious deafness. Issues explored include: a comparison of congenital and adventitious deafness, psychiatric problems among late-deafened individuals, effects of acquired deafness on identity and personal control, and adventitious deafness among the elderly. (Author/PB)

Performance by congenitally blind, adventitiously blind, and sighted persons on three types of tasks (manipulatory, simple locomotion, and complex locomotion) was assessed. The three groups tended to perform equivalently. Results offer little evidence of a set of spatial processes that rely on past visual experience and are applicable to a broad…

Using national survey data, this study found that the smoking prevalence among postlingually deafened adults was not significantly different than hearing adults. Prelingually deafened adults were found to be less likely to smoke than hearing adults, even though they had less education and lower incomes, factors usually associated with higher…

The use of computer assisted therapy (CAT) in the rehabilitation of individuals with brain damage is examined. Hardware considerations are explored, and the variety of software programs available for brain injury rehabilitation is discussed. Structured testing and treatment programs in time measurement, memory, and direction finding are described,…

The article reviews diagnosis and treatments for facially disfigured children including craniofacial reconstruction and microsurgical techniques. Noted are associated disease processes that affect the social and intellectual outcomes of the afflicted child. (Author/DB)

Results of audiometric evaluation and a comprehensive communication competence test battery on 20 closed head injured (CHI) and 15 non CHI control Subjects suggested that CHI has an immediate generalized effect upon the cerebral mechanisms subserving intelligence, speech, language, memory, and specific writing, reading, and arithmetic skills. (CL)

A variety of memory strategies can be used to retrain an individual's ability to process information in working memory. This article provides step-by-step instructions for various memory encoding strategies. These strategies include training in perceptual grouping of number series, organization, mediation, mental imagery, and associative memory.…

The article introduces five case study reports that illustrate augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) interventions with adults who have severe acquired communication disorders. Issues common to AAC management of adults are considered as are issues specific to the conditions of amytrophic lateral sclerosis, multiple sclerosis, brain…

Forty adults with adventitious blindness were administered 12 different Braille discrimination tests representing combinations of standard or enlarged Braille and various amounts of horizontal and vertical spacing. Findings indicated that the most favorable discrimination conditions occurred with standard-sized Braille, with three spaces between…

Benign visual hallucinations ("phantom vision") were examined in 2 studies, involving a total of 443 adventitiously blinded and sight-impaired veterans. In one study, unusual visual events were reported by 38.7 percent, with 30.6 percent reporting complex hallucinations. Causes of the hallucinations and their treatment are discussed.…

This exploratory case study focuses on a returning Hispanic combat veteran and his perceptions and experiences regarding transition from a military setting to a higher education setting. Focus is placed on a cohort-based transition educational program of studies designed to provide coping skills that foster resiliency so as to minimize…

This paper questions the acceptance of injuries obtained while participating in sport and in particular, the relationship between participation in boxing and brain injury/damage identified in boxers. A review of the literature indicates research findings support the tenet that brain damage found in boxers is cumulative and is directly related to…

The construct validity of the General Handicapped Attitude Scale was investigated with 44 spinal cord lesioned patients. Scores on the subscales of acceptance and social consequences did not correlate with scores for severity of handicap but did correlate significantly with scores for personal attitude toward the handicap. (Author/DB)