(2) Adult Cog-Comm Disorders Flashcards
Adult cog-comm disorder: any aspect of communication that is affected by __________ ____________ (give examples)
disrupted cognition
(problem-solving, attention, memory, executive functioning, etc.)
dementia is always _____________, eventually interferes with daily living and ____________ functioning
progressive
independent
dementia causes behavioral problems that interfere with _____________
communication
is dementia a disease?
NO. It’s caused by 50+ diseases, it’s a nonspecific syndrome
most dementias are due to ___________ and/or ____________ changes
structural
chemical
Alzheimer’s accounts for about ____% of all dementia
70
Is Alzheimer’s more common in men or women?
women
causes/links?
uncertain on cause, neural plaques and tangles
possible genetic link
old age, down syndrome, history of head trauma
early stages of dementia (a few years prior to diagnosis)
mild memory and word-finding deficits, sometimes loss of smell
late stage dementia
other functions besides memory and language shut down like swallowing and bladder control
other dementia symptoms
repetition, sleep issues and sundowning, hallucinations/suspicion, anxiety, anger, aggression, dysphagia
MOCA (Montreal Cognitive Assessment)
for dementia, assesses short term memory, working memory, visuospatial abilities, EF, attention and concentration, language, orientation in time and place
SLP’s role in dementia treatment
help person stay independent, maintain functioning for as long as possible, educate caregivers and loved ones
examples of things an SLP will give dementia patients
visual cues like post-its on cabinets, memory aides like book of important people and events, identification cards (“I have dementia, you can help me by… if I need help please call…”)
TBI
when a blow, jolt, or penetration to the head disrupts normal function of the brain, severity may range from mild to severe
What percent of Americans have long-term or lifelong need for help to perform activities of daily living as a result of TBI?
2%
What functional changes do TBIs cause?
thinking, sensation, language, behavior and emotions
4 types of brain injuries
hematoma, hemorrhage, diffuse axonal injury, axonic/hypoxic
Hematoma
pooling of blood (various locations)
Hemorrhage
bleeding in the brain (various locations)
diffuse axonal injury
microscopic shearing of axons
axonic/hypoxic
absent flow/reduced blood flow (not caused by things like blows to the head, can happen when you almost drown)
Which lobe is almost always damaged in a TBI?
frontal lobe
Why is frontal lobe damage so common in TBIs?
brain moves against bony protrusions behind eyes
Confabulation
not lying, you are unconsciously filling the gaps in your memory with things that make sense to you.
Are there typically isolated impairments in TBIs?
no, it’s usually a wide range of issues
SLP’s role
to achieve the highest level of independent functioning in daily living
list things that SLPs do for/give to patients
language and communication help, memory books, to-do lists, calendars, problem-solving, organization, planning, social skills, etc.
unintentionally lying because you’re confused, you think that is what happened. People can be very sure that that is what happened to them because it makes the most sense.
confabulation
