Increasing Accuracy in Job Placement for the Brain-damaged Client

Abstract

The vocational assessment of brain-damaged clients can be approached through the disciplines of vocational evaluation or neuropsychology. Each avenue has its strength and pitfalls. Vocational evaluation focuses on specific cognitive, educational, and physical attributes that are required to negotiate positions within the competitive labor market. Neuropsychological evaluation dovetails with this criteria to amplify other less structured but important aspects of the client's vocational profile, particularly those variables that relate to “executive” functions, novel learning, and neurobehavioral syndromes. Coordination of both spheres is essential if brain-damaged clients' vocational placement is to be enhanced. Suggestions are made regarding coordinating these disciplines; a case report is additionally presented.