Standardized assessments for TBI-Turstra
companion article on nonstandardized assessment is also included in this issue of Seminars in Speech
and Language. VOLUME 26, NUMBER 4 2005
This is particularly true in cognitive-communication disorders, in which the core feature is that
impairments in underlying cognitive processes such as working memory, self-regulation, and divided
attention are manifest in difficulties in listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Thus, a critical
requirement of a standardized test for individuals with TBI is that it considers the relation of cognition to
communication in its construction and that it measures what the test authors claim to measure.
American Speech Language Hearing Asso- ciation Functional Assessment of Commu- nication Skills
in Adults (ASHA-FACS14)
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (BRIEF15)
Communication Activities of Daily Living, Second Edition (CADL-27)
Functional Independence Measure (FIM; Uniform Data System for Medical Rehabil- itation16)*
Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status (RBANS 17)
Test of Language Competence–Extended (TLC-E18)
Western Aphasia Battery (WAB19)
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A promising development in this regard is the recent publication of the Functional Assessment of
Verbal Reasoning and Executive Strategies,20 which was designed specifically for the assessment of
cognitive- communication skills in activities that require reading, writing, and reasoning.
The general consensus of these experts was that standardized tests should be viewed as only one
component of an evaluative process that in- cludes multiple sources of information.
Appendix A. Standardized Tests Reviewed
American Speech Language Hearing Association—Functional Assessment of Communication Skills Aphasia Diagnostic Profiles
Behavior Rating Inventory of Executive Function (Parent Report Form)
Behavioral Assessment of the Dysexecutive Syndrome
Brief Test of Head Injury California Verbal Learning
Test–Second Edition California Verbal Learning
Test for Children Children’s Orientation and Amnesia
Test Clinical Evaluation of Language Fundamentals (Third Edition)
Cognitive Linguistic Quick Test
Communication Activities of Daily Living (Second Edition)
Comprehensive Assessment of Spoken Language
Controlled Oral Word Association Subtest Discourse Comprehension
Test Functional Independence Measure
Galveston Orientation and Amnesia Test
LaTrobe Communication Questionnaire Measure of Cognitive-Linguistic Abilities
Mount Wilga High Level Language
Test Multilingual Aphasia Examination
Paced Auditory Serial Addition Test
Rancho Los Amigos Levels of Cognitive Functioning
Repeatable Battery for the Assessment of Neuropsychological Status
Rivermead Behavioral Memory Test
Ross Information Processing Assessment (Second Edition)
Scales of Cognitive Ability for Traumatic Brain Injury (Normed Edition)
The Speed and Capacity of Language Processing Test
The Token Test (Shortened Form)
he Awareness of Social Inference
Test Test of Everyday Attention for Children
Test of Language Competence–Extended Western Aphasia Battery
Evidence for Cog. Rehab. article
methylphenidate improves processing speed after TBI.
Direct attention training was defined as the repeated stimulation of attention via graded exercises to improve the
underlying neurocognitive system and attention functioning. The authors recommended use of direct attention
training in conjunction with metacognitive training (feedback, self-monitoring, strategy use) for postacute or
mildly impaired clients with intact vigilance.
The authors concluded that treat- ment to establish the use of external aids for memory compensation might be
considered a Practice Guideline as a means of improving day-to-day functioning for people with brain injury.
Finally, the ANCDS6 conducted a systematic review and meta- analysis of 15 studies addressing interventions for
executive functions after TBI. Ten of the studies (including 5 RCTs) utilized metacognitive strategy instructions
(eg, for self-monitoring and control of cognitive processes). These studies sup- ported metacognitive strategy
training to improve problem solving for personally relevant activities, based on significant effect sizes for
activity and participation outcomes compared with control treatments. The review led to the recommendation of
a practice standard for the use of metacognitive strategy training with young to middle-age adults with TBI in
chronic stages of disability for difficulties with problem solving, planning, and organization.
There were several high-quality studies that supported the effectiveness of interventions for attention,
communication skills, executive functioning, and comprehen- sive-holistic rehabilitation after TBI, including
improvements on participation outcomes. This analysis also noted the value of non-RCTs in providing evidence
for the effectiveness of cog- nitive rehabilitation for people with TBI.