Courtney Huber, speech language pathologist at On With Life, discusses cognition and how it can be affected following a mild brain injury, also known as a concussion.
What does cognition mean?
Anytime we are using our brains, we are using cognition. Cognition refers to the way we make sense of the world and how we act in it. At its most basic, it is being alert and attending to what's going on in our environment; at its most complex, it is imagination and creativity.
What are some cognitive challenges after a mild traumatic brain injury that often go overlooked?
We now have compelling evidence that even a single injury or concussion that has the potential to result in persisting impairments in attention, memory, emotional regulation and executive function. In addition, we need to develop a greater appreciation for changes in vision, dizziness and difficulties tolerating our sensory-rich world that can occur as a result of concussion. These symptoms do not always resolve in a matter of days or weeks, but can persist for months post injury.
Many individuals come in after they have been experiencing symptoms for a prolonged period of time, often six months to one year post-injury. Some common symptoms include pain, fatigue, inability to tolerate sights and sounds, vision and dizziness issues and an inability to remember conversations, keep track of appointments or multitask. These issues are compounded by increased anxiety, depression and irritability.
How does On With Life use an interdisciplinary team approach?
We know vision, dizziness/balance and sensory integration issues can be just as devastating as the cognitive changes, and addressing a person as a whole helps us to maximize outcomes. Having an interdisciplinary team has also empowered the persons we serve to advocate for themselves, as they feel supported and hopeful that they can better their life situation. In many cases, our persons served report overall improved daily functioning, self-image, relationships and quality of life, even if post-injury symptoms are not completely resolved.
How does On With Life take a unique approach to cognitive therapy?
We have embraced the philosophy that a "mild" traumatic brain injury does not always equate to "mild" symptoms, meaning that we recognize that even small changes in a person's cognitive and physical function have the potential to wreak havoc on daily life. Our therapy team pays close attention to what a person is telling us is bugging him/her the most, regardless of the type of injury or the severity, and centers the treatment plan around those complaints. Education, self advocacy and hope are cornerstones of our treatment program to engage the persons that we work with in the rehab process and to celebrate the victories they experience in their daily life as they learn to use their customized techniques and strategies.