Synonyms
Route learning; Spatial competence; Spatial orientation; Visuospatial processing
Definition
Route finding is the ability to perceive spatial relations between objects and navigate between said objects literally or within a written map-like scenario. It is an ability related to executive functioning. Route-finding difficulties are often found in children with reading disorders, autism, and attentional problems. Route-finding deficits are also common after brain injury and are likely due to defective representational thinking. People with route-finding difficulties often have difficulty with directionality, estimating distance, self-monitoring, symbolic representations, and other executive functions. They may be unable to follow a route or find their way from one location to another.
Cross-References
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References and Readings
Brooks, B., Mcneil, J., Rose, F., Attree, E., & Leadbetter, A. (1999). Route learning in a case of Amnesia: A preliminary investigation into the efficacy of training in a virtual environment. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 9(1), 63–76.
Brunsdon, R., Nickels, L., Coltheart, M., & Joy, P. (2007). Assessment and treatment of childhood topographical disorientation: A case study. Neuropsychological Rehabilitation, 17(1), 53–94.
Georgemiller, R. (2014). Assessment of route-finding, route-learning, and topographical memory in normal aging. In Clinical gerontology: A guide to assessment and intervention (p. 19–38). Oxfordshire: Routledge.
Harrison, A., Derwent, G., Enticknap, A., Rose, F., & Attree, E. (2002). The role of virtual reality technology in the assessment and training of inexperienced powered wheelchair users. Disability and Rehabilitation, 24(11/12), 599–606.
Niemeier, J. (2002). Visual imagery training for patients with visual perceptual deficits following right hemisphere cerebrovascular accidents: A case study presenting the lighthouse strategy. Rehabilitation Psychology, 47(4), 426–437.
Sohlberg, M., Fickas, S., Pei-Fang, H., & Fortier, A. (2007). A comparison of four prompt modes for route finding for community travelers with severe cognitive impairments. Brain Injury, 21(5), 531–538.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this entry
Cite this entry
Creque, C., Kolakowsky-Hayner, S.A. (2018). Route Finding. In: Kreutzer, J.S., DeLuca, J., Caplan, B. (eds) Encyclopedia of Clinical Neuropsychology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1486
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-57111-9_1486
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-57110-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-57111-9
eBook Packages: Behavioral Science and PsychologyReference Module Humanities and Social SciencesReference Module Business, Economics and Social Sciences