specialists/techniques to enhance cognitive functioning
 

Are there any specialists/techniques to enhance short term memory/focus/visual and auditorial sensory overload(cannot read much/cannot watch tv/follow fast conversation) issues? I didn't think there was, but I am told by an MD that there are. The MD said that there are techniques to possibly enhance cognitive functioning. Granted that the MD was not familiar with the cognitive issues I am having, I am not sure if this applies to my case.

I also wonder if people get neuropsych assessments in order to seek appropriate neuropsych treatments. I thought the assessments were mostly for lawsuit/insurance company purposes. I wonder if getting the neuropsych evaluation would be beneficial in any way for my recovery if there are some sort of, albeit limited, treatments out there?

I would ask that MD to explain what he means. There is brain training to enhance weak or lazy skills but they have not been shown to overcome injuries. Sometimes, one can develop weak skills in ways to allow work-arounds.

A few months after my accident I started seeing an occupational therapist who had me do APT training (a computer program) to help with memory, focus, attention and processing. That helped me immensely especially with driving.

My neuropsych report also included a referral to psychologist, and lots of practical suggestions for making my life easier. The neuropsych doc also sat me down with my OT and they figured out a therapy plan that also included some apps to put on my ipod. things like word skill s games and arithmetic drills and one to make planning my trips into town easier.

I saw a speech therapist for months who helped me to speak better (the accident affected my speaking) ... but a part of the exercises we did were for focus and attention.

A neuropsychological assessment's primary purpose is to provide a qualitative assessment of cognitive functioning, identify deficit areas and develop an individualized treatment strategy. In my case there was no insurance or legal implications.

I benefited greatly from the speech/cognitive and occupational therapies prescribed, including therapies designed to improve memory, executive function and spatial orientation deficits.

If you haven't already you may also want to consult with a physiatrist (also listed as physical medicine and rehabilitation).

In all honesty, I really cannot complete the 7 hour long neuropsych assessment right now(how did you guys do it?). I tried. I reached my limit within half an hour of commencing the assessment. I terminated the assessment then, and I was out for over a week due to the fatigue from it. As eager as I am to find out my cognitive deficits and devise a customized treatment plan, I just do not think I can do the assessment right now. Also isn't there a difference between a cognitive deficit and a migraine that gets debilitating with any mental stimulation?

Should I just go see an occupational therapist and start this APT?

Are there any way to access these treatments without doing the neuropsych assessment?

Hmm, my NPA was less than four hours including the opening and closing interviews, and contained the following tests:

Beck Depression Inventory
Beck Anxiety Inventory
Subtests of WAIS-IV
Patient Competency Rating Scale
Reading subtest from WRAT-3
Rey Auditory Verbal Learning Test
Visuospatial Memory Test
Trail Marking A and B
Wisconsin Card Sorting Test - 64 cards
Verbal Fluency Test.

In lieu of taking the full test, a physiatrist might be able to recommend some specific occupational and/or speech therapies. BTW speech pathologists can often work with a rage of cognitive deficits, not just aphasia or other speech related problems.

Wishing you the best as you continue your recovery journey.

:grouphug: