For
Occupational, Physical, Speech and Recreation Therapists
Functional Cognitive
Activities
A practical and effective approach to BI
and
stroke rehabilitation.
Functional
Cognitive Activities
is a graded program of functional therapy tasks and activities designed
for
persons at all levels of cognitive functioning, from post coma phase of
recovery to community reintegration. Tasks and activities are
accessed via a website.
The tasks and activities emphasize
real world performance, weaning from tabletop activities and
controlled environments. It encourages a transdisciplinary
approach involving all disciplines - speech, physical, recreation and
occupational therapists.
A core concept of this approach is that there are 3 global elements of
functional cognitive activity:
Time
Interpersonal
skills
Environment
It
is the person's progress in
the awareness and management of these 3
global elements during activity that demonstrates improved function.
Activities are organized into 8
sequential levels of performance.
Specific tasks and activities
are provided for each of the 8 levels:
Level
1.
Initiating
the Next Step
(moving on to the next step without cuing)
Level 2.
What
Time is It? (emerging
awareness of time)
Level 3.
Looking
Around the Room
(scanning the familiar environment)
Level 4.
Follow
a Time Schedule
(adhering to pre-planned schedules)
Level 5. Beyond the Room
(moving
out of controlled environments)
Level 6.
Organize
the Therapy Session
(creating time schedules)
Level 7.
Out
the Door (community
outings)
Level 8.
Planning/Multitasking
(completing
projects and high level multitasking)
Individual cognitive therapy tasks
are also provided on the
website to use during sessions.
Tasks are divided into performance
categories such as:
Visual perception
Computer activities
Assembly/construction
Money management
Multiple step tasks
Following recipes
Initiating socialization
Unilateral neglect
Worksheets
Motor therapy/exercises
Following written directions
A
seminar - "Functional Cognitive
Activities for Adults with Brain Injury and Stroke is available to
discuss this approach in detail.