Speech Therapy for Cognitive Impairment

Cobalt Therapy works with adults who struggle with cognitive impairment. Our goal is to increase independence in daily acts of living for those with cognitive deficits. We achieve this by helping with personalized compensatory strategies and creating restorative exercises to improve brain performance. 

Cognitive deficits include attention and memory problems, as well as problem-solving abilities. By targeting these specific areas, we significantly improve the brain’s ability to manage important responsibilities like finances and medications.

The Aging Brain

Some people may not have an underlying disease or traumatic event in their past. As we age, there is a normal decline with our cognitive abilities. This, combined with loss of stamina, forces us to struggle with ever-changing technology. The rules for maintaining independence are constantly changing. It can be difficult to tell just how much of this is considered “normal” aging vs falling just outside the norm. The true mild cognitive declines can be much more difficult to understand and address. 

With our standardized cognitive testing, we can help determine if your cognition is aging typically or falling outside of that. The decline can be just enough to make you struggle with the new cell phone or iPad that you got for Christmas. Let’s face it. We all struggle with technology to some degree. However, even as we age the basic functions of a cell phone or tablet shouldn’t be a challenge. If you find yourself struggling with the basics, our testing and treatment program can help improve your cognitive skills. It can also help you finally understand how to use that cell phone or iPad!

Cobalt’s brain training exercises will help improve your overall thinking abilities. We also make sure that you have a voice in goal setting. For example, if your goal is to engage with your loved ones or see them on social media, we make it a functional and enjoyable part of your brain training program!

Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

Adults with traumatic brain injury (TBI) can experience a variety of changes that make day-to-day functioning almost unbearable. When we acquire a TBI (such as a concussion) or an Acquired Brain Injury (such as a stroke), a robust rehabilitation program is required to regain cognitive functions.

Difficulties range depending on the severity of the injury. If the brain injury is significant enough to show up on imaging, such as a CT scan or MRI, the loss can be overwhelming for both the patient and loved ones. You may need a speech therapist to help improve functions across the spectrum of services including: swallowing, speech, voice, communication and cognition.

Mild TBI

When injuries to the brain do not show up on imaging, the effects can be devastating in a much different way. Everything is showing up as “normal” yet you know you are not thinking as clearly as you did prior to your head injury. Getting started with a thorough standardized cognitive assessment can help you compare your thinking abilities with other people with your age and education. This type of testing has been shown in studies to be more accurate (sensitive) than imaging due to the fact that technology is still not advanced enough to visualize the micro shears that happen in concussions. This can help your therapist and doctor shape the care plan for your overall brain function.

To complicate matters, people with TBI often suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). PTSD can worsen existing cognitive impairment, as well as one’s ability to return to work and engage appropriately with those around them. There are a variety of ways to better manage these difficulties so that you can feel in control again. 

Over the years, Speech-Language Pathologists have discovered novel ways to stimulate the brain with the right intensity and frequency to improve brain function. Cobalt combines these restorative treatment techniques with effective compensatory strategies that can lessen the negative impact of these deficits and help regain a sense of control again. 

Dementia

For those with dementia or Alzheimer’s, loved ones can feel lost in areas of personal management. While there are no cures for these cognitive impairments, there are many opportunities to improve one’s quality of life. This includes decreasing the rate of cognitive decline as well as finding ways to compensate for cognitive difficulties. The brain, much like a muscle, needs to be stimulated to work well. 

Let us help you navigate this challenging path with your loved one and create a functional maintenance plan that can improve everyone’s quality of life. We have extensive experience with the dementia population and use methods based in research to help with optimal management of the disease process.