Traumatic brain injury vocational rehabilitation: Preliminary findings for the coworker as trainer project

Persons with severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) who return to work represent a group of consumers who may require high levels of interdisciplinary support and long-term maintenance. The coworker model, previously demonstrated to be effective for youths with cognitive and behavioral deficits, was modified for use with new and returning workers with a severe TBI, even at professional levels of employment. Preliminary results show that coworker trainers learned to apply the basic teaching sequence and basic organizational tools. Individual coworker salary subsidies to date have been under $400. Although natural supports of this type may not be required for a majority of individuals experiencing TBI, they appear to be extremely assistive for approximately one third of all project participants.