For learning disabilities, head injury, age-associated cognitive decline, and other problems of brain dysfunction, cognitive remediation is often recommended. This consists of structured exercises designed to improve weak cognitive abilities. The exact deficiencies can be determined by an evaluation similar to ones that are mentioned elsewhere on this website.
After the basic principles of cognitive remediation are learned, the same principles can be applied to more real life situations. The treatment is customized to the client’s needs as delineated by the finding from the neuropsychological evaluation and the client’s specific concerns. In this way, the patient can practice training their brain in their own life circumstances. Homework can be given for some exercises so that the patient can practice in between sessions.
Child cognitive remediation, both for learning disabilities and brain injury, is available. Tutoring for SAT and similar exams fits into this broad area, with the goal of increasing the cognitive abilities in speed, accuracy and depth of understanding such that the young person’s are improved in all spheres of life, not just in exams. The tutoring is done with a PhD in school psychology who has a post doctoral certificate neuropsychology. Ordinarily sessions are twice per week, at $175 per 45 minute session. Double sessions can be arranged. Insurance ordinarily does not reimburse these sessions although they can be deductible as an educational expense. Ordinarily progress is not likely to be seen until 20-40 sessions have transpired.
Doing cognitive remediation while also doing neurofeedback can be especially effective.By figuring where the weak areas are in the brain, and under what cognitive task conditions, these areas can be trained to improve. A specialized QEEG assessment under eight different cognitive tasks is required to do this type of treatment.
© 2003-2010 Lawrence Thomas