Attention Process Training APT-3

A Direct Attention Training Program for Persons with Acquired Brain Injury

by McKay Moore Sohlberg, Ph.D. and Catherine Mateer, Ph.D.

The APT-3 includes an extensive range of attention exercises appropriate for people with mild to severe attention deficits due to acquired brain injuries. Target populations include adolescents, adults and veterans. Unlike the APT-1 and APT-2 programs, the APT-3 is a computer based program promoting efficient data collection and analyses and treatment planning. The Kit includes a USB drive with customized software that can be used on either a mac or PC. It includes 2 practice drives for clients. The program runs from the USB drive and does not stay on the user's computer. The set of 2 manuals contains a clinical overview, research evidence, discussion of therapy principles, detailed instructions and guidelines for assessment and treatment, as well as sample scoresheets for all therapeutic activities and tasks.

Full Description

The APT-3 program is a comprehensive, evidence-based direct attention training program aimed at improving underlying attention deficits secondary to acquired brain injury. It is an updated version of the predecessor programs (APT-1 and APT-2) with attention exercises delivered via computer. The program targets specific domains of attention commonly disrupted after an acquired brain injury including:

• Basic Sustained Attention
• Executive Control: Working Memory
• Executive Control: Selective Attention
• Executive Control: Suppression, and
• Executive Control: Alternating Attention.

A clinician interface allows the clinician to select exercises and associated parameters in order to create individual patient/client exercise profiles that are easily modifiable as the individual progresses.

The APT-3 software facilitates standardized, efficient delivery of the discrete attention tasks and provides self reflection opportunities. Clinicians deliver this therapy in conjunction with strategy training and generalization activities.

What's included in the APT3 Kit?

• Comprehensive administration manuals for Attention Process Training 3

Volume 1 is a 60 page manual which includes full administration instructions and guidelines for treatment planning. Appendix A includes a set of prepackaged starter programs for the clinician. There are clear descriptions of the principles and procedures for stimulation of discrete attention subcomponents and methods for encouraging transfer of improved processing to everyday functioning.

Volume 2 is a 479 page manual containing Appendix B which is a complete set of score sheets for all tasks and activities. This allows clinicians to quickly review and select scoresheets when planning treatment activities and setting treatment goals.

• 1 Clinician USB Drive to run program on any computer
• 2 Client Practice USB Drives
• 1 USB Hub for data transfer

What are the Hardware Requirements?

The APT-3 software is clinician friendly and designed to support busy professionals.

APT-3 will work with computers and laptops running Mac OS 10.5 or newer and Windows XP or newer. The computer or laptop will need an available USB port for connecting the APT-3 USB drive. All of the software necessary to run the tool is contained on the drive. The clinician runs the program from the drive; thus, no software needs to be installed on the computer and any computer can be used to run the therapy program.

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Contents

Volume One - Attention Process Training, APT-3

Introduction

New Features with the APT-3

Attention Training in Context

Background: Attention and the APT-3 Program

The Target Population

What Do We Mean By Attention?

Attention Theories

APT-3 Clinical Attention Framework

Basic Sustained Attention

Executive Control: Working Memory

Executive Control: Selective Attention

Executive Control: Suppression

Executive Control: Alternating Attention

What Does the Research Say?

A Review of Selected Studies Published After the Practice Guidelines

But Does it Generalize?

What Types of Metacognitive Strategies Have Been Paired with APT?

Why Would APT Work?

Implementation of APT-3

APT-3 Therapy Principles

Principle One: Organize Therapy Activities Using a Theoretically Grounded Model

Principle Two: Provide Sufficient Repetition

Principle Three: Use Patient Performance Data to Direct Therapy

Principle Four: Include Metacognitive Strategy Training

Principle Five: Identify and Practice Functional Goals Related to Attention

The Assessment Process

Initial Assessment

Evaluating Metacognition

Measuring Treatment Progress

Goal Attainment Scaling

Treatment Components

Designing Clients' APT-3 Programs

Selecting Starter APT-3 Training Tasks

Selecting Strategies

Selecting Goals and/or Generalization Activities

Administration of APT-3 Tasks

Treatment Dosage

Treatment Pacing

Metacognitive Strategy Training

Documenting Performance

Program Modification and General Decision Rules

General Criteria to Move to a Harder Task

General Criteria to Move to an Easier Task

Facilitating Generalization