ABSTRACT
Awareness deficits present challenges to recovery and barriers to the rehabilitation
process. This paper provides a clinical framework for assessing and managing awareness
deficits. It begins with a review of several theoretical and clinical models of awareness
in order to identify important characteristics of awareness disorders. A variety of
methods for measuring awareness are reviewed. Questions to guide the assessment process
are described along with sources for answering the questions. Considerations for implementing
three different intervention approaches are also detailed. These interventions include
an Individual Awareness Enhancement Program, Procedural Training and Environmental
Support, and Caregiver Training and Education. The associated awareness literature
is reviewed. An actual case study illustrating the assessment and intervention approaches
is provided at the end of the paper.
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