Cognitive-Communication Disorders

What are Cognitive-Communication Disorders?

Cognitive-communication disorders involve a problem with communication due to a disruption in cognitive processes. These disorders can impact:

Orientation
Attention
Perception
Memory
Reasoning and problem solving
Planning, organization, and sequencing
Social behavior and emotional control
Impulsivity

Causes of Cognitive-Communication Disorders

Cognitive-communication disorders are typically caused by:

Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
Concussion
Stroke
Brain tumor
Cancer treatment
Hypoxic brain injury (due to restriction of oxygen)
Viral infection
Long COVID
Other progressive neurological diseases

These disorders can co-occur with language or speech impairments and can impact the following:

Speaking
Listening
Reading
Writing
Social skills
Activities of daily living
School/work performance

UR Medicine's Treatments for Cognitive-Communication Disorders

Most individuals with these disorders will be evaluated through UR Medicine’s Integrative Cognitive Rehabilitation Program (ICRP). If you don’t meet the ICRP inclusion criteria, our Speech-Language Pathologists (SLP) with special training in cognitive-communication disorders will lead your care. Prior to therapy, your provider will do an assessment to evaluate:

Attention
Memory
Executive functioning (processes needed for controlling behavior)
Language
Visuospatial skills (identifying visual and spatial relationships)

Your provider will develop a tailored therapy plan to help you meet your personal goals. This plan will focus on the skills you need to function successfully in your daily life.

What Sets Us Apart?

UR Medicine’s Integrative Cognitive Rehabilitation Program (ICRP) offers a comprehensive, integrative, and multidisciplinary approach to help individuals develop strategies and skills to improve communicative function. We strive to include caregivers and family members in our process, and we encourage participants to take an active role in goal setting and guiding their specific cognitive rehab program.

Our speech pathologists are licensed by the New York State Department of Education and hold Certificates of Clinical Competence for the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), in addition to postgraduate training and certifications in several clinical subspecialties. Our speech-language pathologists use an interdisciplinary model, collaborating with other specialists in the fields of neuropsychology, occupational therapy, and physical therapy to help you meet your goals.