The Westmead Post-Traumatic Amnesia Scale for Children (WPTAS-C) Aged 4 and 5 Years Old

Abstract

Assessment of posttraumatic amnesia (PTA) in young children remains problematic. This article details a version of the Westmead PTA Scale, which was adapted for use with children aged 4 and 5 years, and an evaluation of this scale with typically developing children. The Westmead PTA Scale for Children (WPTAS-C) comprises 2 orientation and 4 memory questions, including 2 items involving remembering pictures of familiar objects. Participants included 55 preschool and kindergarten children aged 4 and 5 years. The scale was administered for 4 consecutive days. Ninety-three per cent of the children achieved a score of 6 out 6 for the final 3 days of the 4-day test period. It is concluded that the WPTAS-C is an appropriate measure of orientation and continuous memory in 4- and 5-year-old typically developing children. Validation of the scale in clinical populations is recommended.

Reliability of the Abbreviated Westmead Post‐traumatic Amnesia Scale in children: Impact of age on test results

“…At pre‐school and kindergarten ages (age 5–6 years), children still lack the conceptual understanding and vocabulary to adequately describe time and space needed for the A‐WPTAS and similar tools. Our finding that irrespective of age, all children were oriented to person and could competently state their name and reason for presentation, is also consistent with previous studies …”

“…Our results also suggest that failure on the A‐WPTAS is not a reliable indicator of PTA in children aged 6 years and under. Our results are consistent with previous studies examining the performance of children on other measures reliant on temporo‐spatial orientation and new memory formation . Studies examining the effect of age on the WPTAS have reported that 45% of 4 and 5 year olds failed WPTAS temporal orientation items (i.e.…”

Pretend play ability in preschool‐aged children with an acquired brain injury

“…Children with an ABI were eligible for recruitment to the study if they were aged between 3 and 6 years, had been discharged from inpatient subacute rehabilitation, had not yet started school, and had a moderate or severe ABI as diagnosed by a Staff Specialist using the following framework: post-traumatic amnesia (PTA, measured on the Westmead Post-Traumatic Amnesia Scale -Child, Rocca, 2008) of 1-23 h/Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS, Jennett & Bond, 1975) of 9-12; moderate injury, PTA 24 h +/GCS < 8; severe injury. The framework utilised by Kids Rehab is a clinical application of the available literature assessing brain injury severity.…”