Cognitive-Communication Deficits in the Adult Population

Cognitive-communication disorders are defined as problems with communication that have an underlying cause in a cognitive deficit rather than a language or speech deficit. Acquired cognitive-communication deficits may occur after a stroke, tumor, traumatic brain injury, progressive degenerative brain disorder, or other neurological damage. Cognitive- communication disorders vary in severity. Someone with a mild deficit may simply have difficulty concentrating in a more distracting environment or may have difficulty with more complex tasks such as medication management. A person with the most severe cognitive-communication disorder may have difficulty communicating their most basic wants and needs.

A cognitive-communication disorder results from impaired functioning of one or more cognitive processes. Cognitive processes include attention, orientation, memory, judgment, thought organization, problem-solving, reasoning, language processing, executive functioning, and metacognition. These cognitive processes are not isolated abilities; they are constantly working together as a person performs activities of daily living (ADLs), solves problems, sequences important tasks, and communicates complex information. A problem with one or more cognitive functions can cause difficulty performing activities of daily living safely and efficiently as well as communicating effectively. A person with a cognitive- communication disorder may have difficulty paying attention to a conversation, staying on topic, recalling important information, responding accurately, understanding complex language, or following directions. This course will increaseyour ability to effectively screen for different deficits associated with cognitive communication disorder. This course will also assist therapists in determining appropriate treatment techniques that promote ADL, safety, and quality of life.

Highlights

• Improve your knowledge of cognitive-communication disorders and differentiate from deficits in the areas of expressive and receptive language
• Gain awareness of how a cognitive- communication disorder affects several aspects of rehab, safety, and independent living
• Determine appropriate screening, assessment, and treatment techniques

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Occupational Therapists, Occupational Therapy Assistants, Speech-Language Pathologists