The Party Planning Task: A useful tool in the functional assessment of planning skills in adolescents with TBI

Abstract

Primary objective: To use two case studies to illustrate the clinical utility of the Party Planning Task (PPT), a non-standardized executive function assessment.

Background: Executive dysfunction is common following paediatric TBI. However, known difficulties with standardized assessment of executive functions (EF) exist. In particular, the ecologic validity of standardized measures has been questioned. The PPT is an ecological measure of EF and this paper reports findings from its use with two adolescents. Descriptive and observational data of their planning and organizational skills is presented. Each adolescent completed the PPT followed by a stimulated recall task. This was audio recorded and transcribed for content analysis.

Main outcomes and results: Both participants scored within the normative range for severe TBI on the PPT, with each making greater than eight errors. Qualitative results indicated differences between participants in efficiency of task completion and transfer of strategies from previous intervention.

Conclusions and implications: The PPT was shown to be a useful tool in the functional assessment of EF for these two adolescents. The opportunity for clinicians to observe the process taken by participants to complete the task provides valuable data, useful in determining strategy transferability as well as assisting in determining future intervention goals.

• Traumatic brain injury
• adolescent
• executive functioning
• functional assessment