Brain Injuries/Concussions

Speech language pathologists play a crucial role in the assessment and treatment of individuals with communication and cognitive (thinking) problems due to acquired brain injuries (ABI). Brain injuries can be caused by motor vehicle injuries, falls, infection, surgery, strokes or seizures. Severity ranges from seemingly "mild" brain injuries or concussions to severe brain injuries. 

Cognitive communication disorders frequently occur after an acquired brain injury with reported incident rates of a communication impairment higher than 75% post brain injury.  

A cognitive communication disorder results in difficulty with communication competence (speaking, listening, writing, conversational interactions, reading) that results from underlying cognitive impairments such as deficits with attention, memory, information processing, reasoning, executive functions, etc. (MacDonald 2017).

The above graphic shows the multiple causes of communication difficulties that are exacerbated by emotional (such as stress, anxiety, depression), physical (pain, fatigue, headaches etc) and contextual (communication partner, style of communication, environment) factors. A speech language pathologist is qualified to help identify the nature of the problem and determine strategies and exercises to improve communication effectiveness across a variety of settings.

Our goal is to help individuals regain cognitive communication strategies to meet his/her needs and specific goals. 

References: 

MacDonald, S. (2017). Introducing the model of cognitive-communication competence: A model to guide evidence-based communication interventions after brain injury.