Cognitive Rehabilitation

Cognitive Rehabilitation is a specific approach to the management of cognitive difficulties arising from neurological impairment. This form of therapeutic intervention may be appropriate for people with a range of presenting difficulties, including:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Stroke
• Anoxic damage (e.g. as a result of heart attack, obstruction of airway)
• Epilepsy
• Neurodegenerative Disorders (e.g. Alzheimer’s Disease and other dementias, to include difficulties arising from diseases such as Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s Disease)
• Infections (e.g. Meningitis, HIV)

Cognitive Rehabilitation would ordinarily follow a comprehensive neuropsychological assessment, by which a client’s cognitive strengths and weaknesses will have been identified. This profile of ability is used to inform the development of strategies that ‘recruit’ areas of retained or stronger functioning to help areas that have been affected by illness or injury. A programme of cognitive rehabilitation therefore aims to reduce the impact of difficulties on a person’s day to day life, by helping them develop the skills to compensate for them. Often this may involve careful training in new techniques, strengthening of areas of difficulty, the use of aids, or changes to the person’s environment to help them cope better. A good package of cognitive rehabilitation will also need to take into account the person’s circumstances and resources e.g. mood issues, background history, access to services, and family, friends and carers.

Cognitive Rehabilitation may, in effect, range from helping a person/carer understand the nature of the cognitive difficulties, to a lengthy treatment programme that requires repeated adaptation as the individual’s needs and challenges/opportunities change. Neuropsychological difficulties are as varied as the people presenting with them, and consequently, each requires an approach carefully tailored to individual circumstances.

To enquire regarding a programme of Cognitive Rehabilitation, please contact the Clinical Administration Team, who would be able to advise as to which therapists / neuropsychologists have availability and the specific expertise to meet your needs.