Cognitive Rehabilitation

Cognitive Rehabilitation

Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapy (CRT) is the process of relearning cognitive skills that have been lost or altered as a result of damage to brain cells/chemistry.

If skills cannot be relearned, then new ones have to be taught to enable the person to compensate for their lost cognitive functions.

The brain's ability to reorganise itself by forming new neural connection throughout life is referred to as Neuroplasticity. This allows the neutrons in the brain to compensate for injury and disease and to adjust their activities in response to new situations or to changes in their environment.

The process of CRT comprises 4 components:

• 1 - Education about cognitive weaknesses and strengths with focus on developing awareness of the problem.
• 2 - Process Training. The focus here is on resolving the problem.
• 3 - Strategy Training. This involves the use of environmental, internal and external strategies. The focus here is on compensating rather than resolving the problem.
• 4 - Functional Activities Training. This involves the application of the other three components in everyday life. The focus here is on real life improvements.

What Should I Expect in CRT?

CRT Services are directed to achieve functional changes by:

• Reinforcing, strengthening or establishing previously learned patterns of behavior and establishing new patterns of cognitive activity or mechanisms to compensate for impaired neurological systems.
• Interventions are tailored to help the individual be as independent as possible in the management of his or her everyday routines and responsibilities in their home and community.

You will likely participate in standardized and/or non-standardized assessments that may include questionnaires, testing, interview, and/or observation to gain the greatest understanding of your abilities and/or limitations in managing your everyday routines and responsibilities.

As your cognitive rehabilitation therapist I will interpret your evaluation results and compile them into a report summarizing your strengths and difficulties.

A treatment plan will be developed to guide all of the activities that are selected to help you remediate or compensate for your difficulties.

All activities you participate in will be specially chosen for your unique needs and will be very practical in helping you best meet the demands of your life. I will continually assess your progress and revise your goals.