Chapter 10 - Using the WAIS–IV/WMS–IV/ACS Following Moderate-Severe Traumatic Brain Injury

Abstract

Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are associated with a variety of cognitive deficits particularly in attention, memory, processing speed, and executive functioning. Impairments in language functioning, perceptual reasoning, and social perception can also occur. Cognitive impairment associated with TBI is quite variable and can range from mild to severe, depending on the nature and severity of the injury, and the assessment of cognitive functioning can be complicated by premorbid abilities, pre-injury health status, and post-injury individual differences. This chapter presents data comparing patients with a moderate-to-severe TBI to healthy controls on WAIS–IV and WMS–IV indexes (including newly developed index scores) and subtests. WAIS–IV/WMS–IV multivariate base rates and variability indicators are also presented. Acquired cognitive deficits can be quantified using the TOPF, OPIE–IV, and Demographic Adjustment to Norms described in previous chapters. The assessment of performance validity is an important component of clinical evaluations in this population. There is growing evidence that deficits in social cognition are associated with TBI. Data are presented showing that social perception deficits are comparable to, or great than, impairments in memory, working memory, and processing speed. This chapter fully illustrates the usefulness of the WAIS–IV/WMS–IV and ACS as part of a comprehensive clinical assessment of patients with TBIs.