Cognitive disabilities ppt

COGNITIVE DISABILITIES: DEFINITION, TYPES, SYMPTOMS, CAUSES, AND TREATMENTS

1. DR MD INTEKHABUR RAHMAN PROFESSOR OF PSYCHOLOGY & DIRECTOR ACADEMIC B. N. MANDAL UNIVERSITY MADHEPURA-BIHAR PIN-852113 E-mail: [email protected] Contact: 9431448853

2. TITLE OF THE LECTURE COGNITIVE DISABILITIES: TYPES,SYMPTOMS,CAUSES AND TREATMENTS

3. COGNITION अनुभूति , उपलब्धि, संज्ञान, बोध ادراک Cognition is the mental action or process of acquiring knowledge and understanding through thought, experience, and the senses.

4. History of the Study of Cognition The study of how we think dates back to the time of the ancient Greek philosophers Plato and Aristotle .

5. History of the Study of Cognition Philosophical Origins Plato's approach to the study of the mind suggested that people understand the world by first identifying basic principles buried deep inside themselves and then using rational thought to create knowledge. This viewpoint was later advocated by philosophers such as Rene Descartes and linguist Noam Chomsky . This approach to cognition is often referred to as rationalism . Aristotle, on the other hand, believed that people acquire their knowledge through their observations of the world around them. Later thinkers including John Locke and  B.F. Skinner  also advocated this point of view, which is often referred to as empiricism .

6. History of the Study of Cognition Early Psychology During the earliest days of psychology and for the first half of the twentieth century, psychology was largely dominated by  psychoanalysis ,  behaviorism , and  humanism . Eventually, a formal field of study devoted solely to the study of cognition emerged as part of the “cognitive revolution” of the 1960s. The field of psychology concerned with the study of cognition is known as cognitive psychology.

7. History of the Study of Cognition The Emergence of Cognitive Psychology One of the earliest definitions of cognition was presented in the first textbook on cognitive psychology published in 1967. According to Neisser , cognition is "those processes by which the sensory input is transformed, reduced, elaborated, stored, recovered, and used ."

8. COGNITION ( अनुभूति, उपलब्धि, संज्ञान, बोध ) ادراک DEFINITION Cognition is a term referring to the mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and comprehension. These cognitive processes include thinking, knowing, remembering, judging, and problem solving. These are higher-level functions of the brain and encompass language, imagination, perception, and planning.

9. DEFINITION Cognition has to do with how a person understands the world and acts in it. It is the set of mental abilities or processes that are part of nearly every human action while we are awake.

10. Cognitive Psychology संज्ञानात्मक मनोविज्ञान علمی نفسیات Cognitive Psychology is the field of psychology that investigates how people think and the processes involved in cognition.

11. Types of Cognitive Processes There are many different types of cognitive processes. These include:

12. Types of Cognitive Processes Attention Attention  is a cognitive process that allows people to focus on a specific stimulus in the environment.

13. Types of Cognitive Processes Language Language and language development are cognitive processes that involve the ability to understand and express thoughts through spoken and written words. It allows us to communicate with others and plays an important role in thought.

14. Types of Cognitive Processes Learning Learning  requires cognitive processes involved in taking in new things, synthesizing information, and integrating it with prior knowledge.

15. Types of Cognitive Processes Memory Memory  is an important cognitive process that allows people to encode, store, and retrieve information. It is a critical component in the learning process and allows people to retain knowledge about the world and their personal histories.

16. Types of Cognitive Processes Perception Perception  is a cognitive process that allows people to take in information through their senses (sensation) and then utilize this information to respond and interact with the world.

17. Types of Cognitive Processes Thought Thought is an essential part of every cognitive process. It allows people to engage in decision-making, problem-solving, and higher reasoning.

18. Uses of Cognitive processes Cognitive processes affect every aspect of life, from school to work to relationships. Some specific uses for these cognitive processes include the following:

19. Uses of Cognitive processes Learning New Things Learning requires being able to take in new information, form new memories, and make connections with other things that you already know. Researchers and educators use their knowledge of these cognitive processes to help create instructive materials to help people learn new concepts.

20. Uses of Cognitive processes Forming Memories Memory is a major topic of interest in the field of cognitive psychology. How we remember, what we remember, and what we forget reveal a great deal about how the cognitive processes operate. While people often think of memory as being much like a video camera, carefully recording and cataloging life events, and storing them away for later recall, research has found that memory is much more complex.

21. Uses of Cognitive processes Making Decisions Whenever people make any type of decision, it involves making judgments about things they have processed. It might involve comparing new information to prior knowledge, integrating new information into existing ideas, or even replacing old knowledge with new knowledge before making a choice.

22. Impact of Cognition The cognitive processes have a wide-ranging impact that influences everything from daily life to overall health.

23. Impact of Cognition Perceiving the World As you take in sensations from the world around you, the information that you see, hear, taste, touch, and smell must first be transformed into signals that your brain can understand. The perceptual process allows you to take in sensory information and convert it into a signal that your brain can understand and act upon.

24. Impact of Cognition Forming Impressions The world is full of an endless amount of sensory experiences. To make meaning out of all this incoming information, it is important for your brain to be able to reduce your experience of the world down to the fundamentals. You remember everything, so events are reduced down to the critical concepts and ideas that you need.

25. Impact of Cognition Filling in the Gaps In addition to reducing information to make it more memorable and understandable, people also elaborate on these memories as they reconstruct them. In some cases, this elaboration happens when people are struggling to remember something. When the information cannot be recalled, the brain sometimes fills in the missing data with whatever seems to fit.

26. Impact of Cognition Interacting With the World Cognition involves not only the things that go on inside our heads but also how these thoughts and mental processes influence our actions. Our attention to the world around us, memories of past events, understanding of language, judgments about how the world works, and abilities to solve problems all contribute to how we behave and interact with our surrounding environment.

27. Tips to maximize your cognitive abilities Cognitive processes are influenced by a range of factors including genetics and experiences. While you cannot change your genetics, there are things that you can do to protect and maximize your cognitive abilities:

28. Tips to maximize your cognitive abilities Stay healthy Lifestyle factors such as eating healthy and getting regular exercise can have an effect on your cognitive functioning. 

29. Tips to maximize your cognitive abilities Think critically Question your assumptions and ask questions about your thoughts, beliefs, and conclusions.

30. Tips to maximize your cognitive abilities Stay curious and keep learning One great way to flex your cognitive abilities is to keep challenging yourself to learn more about the world.

31. Tips to maximize your cognitive abilities Skip multitasking While it might seem like doing several things at once would help you get done faster, research has shown it actually decreases both productivity and work quality.

32. Potential Pitfalls in Cognition It is important to remember that these cognitive processes are complex and often imperfect. Some of the possible pitfalls that can affect cognition include:

33. Potential Pitfalls in Cognition Problems with attention Selective attention  is a limited resource, so there are a number of things that can make it difficult to focus on everything in your environment.  Attentional blink , for example, happens when you are so focused on one thing that you completely miss something else happening right in front of you.

34. Potential Pitfalls in Cognition Memory problems and limitations Short-term memory  is surprisingly brief, typically lasting just 20 to 30 seconds. Long-term memory can be surprisingly stable and enduring, on the other hand, with memories lasting years and even decades .  Memory can also be surprisingly fragile and fallible. Sometimes we forget, and other times we are subject to  misinformation effects  that can even lead to the  formation of false memories .

35. Potential Pitfalls in Cognition Cognitive biases Cognitive biases  are systematic errors in thinking related to how people process and interpret information about the world. The   confirmation bias  is one common example that involves only paying attention to information that aligns with your existing beliefs while ignoring evidence that doesn't support your views. 

36. COGNITIVE ABILITY Cognitive ability may be defined as a “mental capability that … involves the ability to reason, plan, solve problems, think abstractly, comprehend complex ideas, learn quickly and learn from experience” ( Gottfredson , 1997, p. 13).

37. COGNITIVE ABILITY Cognitive abilities are brain-based skills we need to carry out any task from the simplest to the most complex. They have more to do with the mechanisms of how we learn, remember, problem-solve, and pay attention, rather than with any actual knowledge. For instance, answering the telephone involves perception (hearing the ring tone), decision taking (answering or not), motor skill (lifting the receiver), language skills (talking and understanding language), social skills (interpreting tone of voice and interacting properly with another human being).

38. COGNITIVE ABILITY Cognitive abilities or skills are supported by specific neuronal networks. For instance memory skills rely mainly on parts of the temporal lobes and parts of the frontal lobes (behind the forehead). People with traumatic brain injuries can experience lower cognitive ability linked to compromised neuronal regions and networks (which is why neuro -rehabilitation is so important).

39. COGNITIVE ABILITY COGNITIVE ABILITIES ARE BRAINS FUNCTIONS In the table in another slide you can browse through the main brain functions involved in cognition.

40. COGNITIVE ABILITY Cognitive Ability/Brain Function Skills involved PERCEPTION         Recognition and interpretation of sensory stimuli (smell, touch, hearing…) ATTENTION Ability to sustain concentration on a particular object, action, or thought, and ability to manage competing demands in our environment. MEMORY Short-term/ working memory (limited storage), and Long-term memory (unlimited storage). MOTOR SKILLS Ability to mobilize our muscles and bodies, and ability to manipulate objects. LANGUAGE Skills allowing us to translate sounds into words and generate verbal output. VISUAL AND SPACIAL PROCESSING Ability to process incoming visual stimuli, to understand spatial relationship between objects, and to visualize images and scenarios. EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONS Abilities that enable goal-oriented behavior, such as the ability to plan, and execute a goal. These include: Flexibility : the capacity for quickly switching to the appropriate mental mode. Theory of mind: insight into other people’s inner world, their plans, their likes and dislikes. Anticipation: prediction based on pattern recognition. Problem-solving: defining the problem in the right way to then generate solutions and pick the right one. Decision making: the ability to make decisions based on problem-solving, on incomplete information and on emotions (ours and others’). Working Memory : the capacity to hold and manipulate information “on-line” in real time. Emotional self-regulation : the ability to identify and manage one’s own emotions for good performance. Sequencing: the ability to break down complex actions into manageable units and prioritize them in the right order. Inhibition: the ability to withstand distraction, and internal urges. 

41. COGNITIVE ABILITY COGNITIVE ABILITIES ARE NOT FIXED — WE CAN IMPROVE THEM VIA LIFESTYLE AND TARGETED PRACTICE With age, some cognitive abilities tend to decline, especially executive functions and those cognitive abilities that are not used regularly. Fortunately , growing evidence shows that decline can be delayed, and lower cognitive ability can be increased, with appropriate lifestyle options and practices.

42. Cognitive Disability Cognitive Disability Cognitive Impairment Cognitive Deficits Cognitive Decline Intellectual Disability Cognitive Disorders

43. Intellectual Disability Intellectual Disability is a temporary or permanent loss of mental functions, causing forgetfulness, lack of concentration, learning difficulties, and other reductions in effective thinking . Intellectual disability  is a disability characterized by significant limitations in both  intellectual functioning  and in  adaptive behavior , which covers many everyday social and practical skills. This disability originates before the age of 22.

44. Intellectual Disability Intellectual Functioning Intellectual functioning —also called intelligence—refers to general mental capacity, such as learning, reasoning, problem solving, and so on. One way to measure intellectual functioning is an IQ test. Generally, an IQ test score of around 70 or as high as 75 indicates a limitation in intellectual functioning.

45. Intellectual Disability Adaptive Behavior Adaptive behavior  is the collection of conceptual, social, and practical skills that are learned and performed by people in their everyday lives.  Conceptual skills—language and literacy; money, time, and number concepts; and self-direction. Social skills—interpersonal skills, social responsibility, self-esteem, gullibility, naïveté (i.e., wariness), social problem solving, and the ability to follow rules/obey laws and to avoid being victimized. Practical skills—activities of daily living (personal care), occupational skills, healthcare, travel/transportation, schedules/routines, safety, use of money, use of the telephone. Standardized tests can also determine limitations in adaptive behavior.

46. Cognitive Impairment A cognitive impairment (also known as an intellectual disability) is a term used when a person has certain limitations in mental functioning and in skills such as communication, self-help, and social skills. These limitations will cause a child to learn and develop more slowly than a typical child. It is diagnosed through the use of standardized tests of intelligence and adaptive behavior. It can be caused by injury, disease, genetic condition, or a brain abnormality. This can happen before a child is born or during childhood. For many children, the cause of their intellectual disability is not known.

47. Cognitive Decline Cognitive Decline (CD ) or Cognitive Impairment (CI ) refers to a transitional state between the cognition of normal aging and mild dementia. It is a clinical construct that describes individuals with mildly impaired performance on objective neuropsychological tests but relatively intact global cognition and daily functioning. 

48. Cognitive Deficits Cognitive deficit is an inclusive term used to describe impairment in an individual’s mental processes that lead to the acquisition of information and knowledge, and drive how an individual understands and acts in the world.

49. Cognitive Disorders Cognitive disorders are a part of the neurocognitive disorder classification in the fifth edition of the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-V). Cognitive disorders are defined as any disorder that significantly impairs the cognitive function of an individual to the point where normal functioning in society is impossible without treatment.

50. Cognitive Disorders Some common cognitive disorders include: Dementia Developmental disorders Motor skill disorders Amnesia Substance-induced cognitive impairment

51. Cognitive Disorders What Causes a Cognitive Disorder? Like most mental disorders, cognitive disorders are caused by a variety of factors. Some are due to hormonal imbalances in the womb, Others to genetic predisposition and still others to environmental factors. Common environmental causes of cognitive disorders include a lack of proper nutrients and interaction during vulnerable stages of cognitive development, particularly during infancy. Other common causes of cognitive disorder include substance abuse and physical injury. When an area of the brain that determines cognitive function is damaged, either by the excessive use of drugs, by alcohol or from physical trauma, those neurophysiological changes can result in cognitive dysfunction.

52. Cognitive Disorders What Are the Signs of Cognitive Disorder? Cognitive disorder signs vary according to the particular disorder, but some common signs and symptoms overlap in most disorders. Some of the most common signs of cognitive disorder include : Confusion Poor motor coordination Loss of short-term or long-term memory Identity confusion Impaired judgment

53. Cognitive Disorders Some cognitive disorders develop in stages and symptoms increase in severity the further the disease progresses. Alzheimer’s disease, for example, begins with the patient showing very minor signs of forgetfulness. Sufferers may forget names they know well, or they may have trouble remembering what they did recently. The initial symptoms of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease are often indistinguishable from normal memory errors. However , as the disease progresses, the affected person’s memory becomes persistently impaired. They may have rare moments of clarity, but life is generally lived in a state of confusion.

54. Cognitive Disability In order for students to be diagnosed with a cognitive disability, they must have impairments in  intellectual functioning  and  adaptive behavior . Additionally, the symptoms must be present before a child becomes 18 years old. Intellectual functioning refers to a person's ability to plan, comprehend, and reason. A child's intellectual functioning can be assessed by an intelligence test. The most common intelligence test that you've probably heard of is the IQ test. Generally, a child with scores of  70-75 or lower  is classified as having a cognitive disability. Adaptive behavior refers to an individual's ability to apply social and practical skills in everyday life. Examples of adaptive behavior can include personal care, social problem-solving skills, dressing and eating skills, using money, and following rules.

55. Cognitive Disability Types of Cognitive Disabilities The most common type of cognitive disability is a  mild cognitive disability , accounting for around 85% of all cognitive disabilities. Kids in this category have IQ scores between 55 and 70 and are usually included in the regular classroom. Common characteristics of mild intellectual disabilities include difficulty remembering previously learned material, problems making predictions, short attention spans, poor short-term memories, and challenges generalizing skills to new situations.

56. Cognitive Disability The second-most common cognitive disability is a  moderate cognitive disability . Students with this type of disability have IQ scores between 30 and 55. These kids may have simple communication skills, difficulties in social situations, and also might present with noticeable delays. About 10% of kids who've been diagnosed with a cognitive disability fall in the moderate range.

57. Cognitive Disability The third type of cognitive disability is a  severe cognitive disability . Kids with severe cognitive disabilities have IQ scores that fall under thirty and will have few communication skills, and will need direct supervision. Of all cognitive disabilities , only about 3-4% of children have a severe cognitive disabilities.

58. Symptoms of Cognitive Disability Emotional Symptoms of Cognitive Problems Cognitive problems manifest in a variety of ways, with emotional imbalance being one of the most common symptoms. Cognitive impairment is frustrating, and those suffering from it often react with emotional outbursts, making it difficult for friends and family to help. Others may push people away in an attempt to isolate themselves, only making the problem worse. Other cognitive disorders have the opposite effect, causing the person to have dulled or nonexistent emotions.

59. Symptoms of Cognitive Disability Physical Symptoms of Cognitive Problems Cognition problems often manifest in the form of visible outward symptoms. The affected person may appear dazed and confused, and their eyes may have a glazed appearance. Motor coordination is often affected in both neurological and psychological cognitive disorders, and the person may have unusual mannerisms or simply a lack of balance and normal posture.

60. Symptoms of Cognitive Disability Short-Term and Long-Term Effects of Cognitive Instability Cognitive instability comes with both short- and long-term effects. Some common short-term effects include memory loss, a state of confusion and a lack of coordination. Long-term effects include the increasing loss of declarative memory, such as forgetting names and significant faces, and a general lack of emotional stability and control over one’s actions.

61. Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) Symptoms of Cognitive Disability Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is the stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia. It's characterized by problems with memory, language, thinking or judgment. If you have mild cognitive impairment, you may be aware that your memory or mental function has "slipped." Your family and close friends also may notice a change. But these changes aren't severe enough to significantly interfere with your daily life and usual activities. Mild cognitive impairment may increase your risk of later developing dementia caused by Alzheimer's disease or other neurological conditions. But some people with mild cognitive impairment never get worse, and a few eventually get better.

62. Symptoms of Cognitive Disability Symptoms Your brain, like the rest of your body, changes as you grow older. Many people notice gradually increasing forgetfulness as they age. It may take longer to think of a word or to recall a person's name. But consistent or increasing concern about your mental performance may suggest mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

63. Symptoms of Cognitive Disability Cognitive issues may go beyond what's expected and indicate possible MCI if you experience any or all of the following: You forget things more often. You forget important events such as appointments or social engagements. You lose your train of thought or the thread of conversations, books or movies. You feel increasingly overwhelmed by making decisions, planning steps to accomplish a task or understanding instructions. You start to have trouble finding your way around familiar environments. You become more impulsive or show increasingly poor judgment. Your family and friends notice any of these changes .

64. If you have MCI, you may also experience: Depression Irritability and aggression Anxiety Apathy Symptoms of Cognitive Disability

65. Symptoms of Cognitive Disability Cognitive impairment may accompany other symptoms, which vary depending on the underlying disease, disorder or condition. Symptoms that frequently affect the brain may also involve other body systems or disorders.

66. Symptoms of Cognitive Disability Infection symptoms that may occur along with cognitive impairment Cognitive impairment may accompany symptoms related to infection including: Fever Headache Malaise or lethargy Muscle twitching, spasms or seizures Nausea with or without vomiting Rash Stiff or rigid neck

67. Symptoms of Cognitive Disability Metabolic symptoms that may occur along with cognitive impairment Cognitive impairment may accompany other symptoms related to  metabolic disorders  including: Abdominal  pain Abnormal heart rhythm such as rapid heart rate (tachycardia) or slow heart rate ( bradycardia ) Changes in skin Confusion or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment Difficulty breathing or rapid breathing Nausea with or without vomiting Fatigue Feeling very thirsty Frequent urination  or decrease in urine output Fruity breath Muscle weakness

68. Symptoms of Cognitive Disability Other symptoms that may occur along with cognitive impairment Cognitive impairment may accompany symptoms related to other problems, such as injury, stroke or  dementia . These symptoms may include: Change in sleep patterns Changes in mood, personality or behavior Confusion  or loss of consciousness for even a brief moment Difficulty with memory, thinking, talking, comprehension, writing or reading Impaired balance and coordination Loss of vision or changes in vision Nausea  with or without vomiting Numbness , weakness or paralysis Seizure Severe headache

69. Symptoms of Cognitive Disability Serious symptoms that might indicate a life-threatening condition In some cases, cognitive impairment may be a symptom of a life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) if you, or someone you are with, have any of these life-threatening symptoms including: Change in level of consciousness or alertness such as passing out or unresponsiveness Change in mental status or sudden behavior change such as confusion, delirium,  lethargy ,  hallucinations  or delusions Garbled or  slurred speech  or inability to speak High fever  (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit) High-pitched, shrill cries in an infant or small child Paralysis or inability to move a body part Poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, or  irritability  in a child or infant Seizure Stiff or rigid neck Sudden  change in vision , loss of vision, or  eye pain Trauma to the head Worst  headache  of your life

70. Causes of Cognitive Disability There's no single cause of mild cognitive impairment (MCI), just as there's no single outcome for the disorder. Symptoms of MCI may remain stable for years, progress to Alzheimer's disease or another type of dementia, or improve over time.

71. Causes of Cognitive Disability Cognitive impairment can result from conditions that occur during fetal development, at birth, shortly after birth, or at any point in life. Sometimes, the cause of cognitive impairment cannot be determined, especially in a newborn or small child.

72. Causes of Cognitive Disability Congenital causes of cognitive impairment Cognitive impairment may be present at birth and may be genetic or chromosomal or result from complications of  pregnancy . Congenital causes of cognitive impairment include:

73. Causes of Cognitive Disability Chromosomal abnormalities such as Down syndrome, fragile X syndrome, cri du chat syndrome, Prader-Willi syndrome, and others Congenital hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) Genetic abnormalities such as phenylketonuria, Tay -Sachs disease, galactosemia , Hunter syndrome, Hurler syndrome, adrenoleukodystrophy , and others Intrauterine growth retardation (poor growth of fetus) Prenatal drug or alcohol exposure Prenatal infections

74. Causes of Cognitive Disability Birth-related causes of cognitive impairment Cognitive impairment can also be caused by complications related to delivery including:

75. Causes of Cognitive Disability Infection Lack of oxygen during labor or birth Preterm birth or its complications such as intracranial hemorrhage (uncontrolled bleeding in the brain)

76. Causes of Cognitive Disability Causes of cognitive impairment that occur after birth or during childhood and adolescence Cognitive impairment can also be caused by conditions that occur after birth or during childhood and adolescence including:

77. Autism  (abnormal development of communication and social skills) Head injury Heavy metal poisoning such as  lead poisoning Infection Kidney disease (which includes any type of kidney problem such as kidney stones,  kidney failure , and kidney anomalies) Malnutrition Metabolic conditions Neonatal  jaundice  (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes occurring after birth) Side effects of  cancer  therapy Systemic lupus erythematosus (a disorder in which the body attacks its own healthy cells and tissues) Causes of Cognitive Disability

78. Causes of Cognitive Disability Causes of cognitive impairment that occur in adults Cognitive impairment can also be caused by conditions that occur in adulthood including:

79. Causes of Cognitive Disability Alcohol or  drug abuse Brain or spinal cord injury Certain vitamin deficiencies Congestive heart failure  (deterioration of the heart’s ability to pump blood) Dementia Infections Kidney disease  (which includes any type of kidney problem such as  kidney stones , kidney failure, and kidney anomalies) Liver disease  (which includes any type of liver problem such as  hepatitis ,  cirrhosis , and  liver failure ) Medication side effects

80. Causes of Cognitive Disability Serious or life-threatening causes of cognitive impairment In some cases, cognitive impairment may be a symptom of a serious or life-threatening condition that should be immediately evaluated in an emergency setting. These include:

81. Causes of Cognitive Disability Brain tumor Encephalitis  (inflammation and swelling of the brain due to a  viral infection  or other causes) Heat stroke Kidney failure Meningitis  (infection of the membranes that cover the brain and spinal cord) Profound  dehydration Sepsis  (severe infection of the bloodstream) Spinal cord injury or tumor Stroke Traumatic head injury

82. Causes of Cognitive Disability Current evidence indicates that MCI often, but not always, develops from a lesser degree of the same types of brain changes seen in Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia. Some of these changes have been identified in autopsy studies of people with MCI. These changes include : Abnormal clumps of beta-amyloid protein (plaques) and microscopic protein clumps of tau characteristic of Alzheimer's disease ( tangles) Lewy bodies, which are microscopic clumps of another protein associated with Parkinson's disease, dementia with Lewy bodies and some cases of Alzheimer's disease Small strokes or reduced blood flow through brain blood vessels Brain-imaging studies show that the following changes may be associated with MCI : Shrinkage of the hippocampus, a brain region important for memory Enlargement of the brain's fluid-filled spaces ( ventricles) Reduced use of glucose, the sugar that's the primary source of energy for cells, in key brain regions

83. Risk factors of Cognitive Disability The strongest risk factors for MCI are : Increasing age Other medical conditions and lifestyle factors have been linked to an increased risk of cognitive change, including : 1. Diabetes 2. Smoking 3. High blood pressure 4. Elevated cholesterol 5. Obesity 6. Depression 7. Lack of physical exercise 8. Low education level 9. Infrequent participation in mentally or socially stimulating activities

84. Prevention for Cognitive Disability Mild cognitive impairment can't always be prevented. But research has found some environmental factors that may affect the risk of developing the condition.

85. Prevention for Cognitive Disability Studies show that these steps may help prevent cognitive impairment : Avoid excessive alcohol use. Limit exposure to air pollution. Reduce your risk of head injury. Don't smoke. Manage health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and depression. Practice good sleep hygiene and manage sleep disturbances. Eat a nutrient-rich diet that has plenty of fruits and vegetables and is low in saturated fats. Engage socially with others. Exercise regularly at a moderate to vigorous intensity. Wear a hearing aid if you have hearing loss. Stimulate your mind with puzzles, games and memory training.

86. Treatments for Cognitive disabilities Cognitive disabilities have no cure, but early intervention can lessen their effects . People with cognitive disabilities can develop ways to cope with their disabilities . Getting help earlier increases the chance of success in school and later in life. If cognitive disabilities remain untreated, a child may begin to feel frustrated, which can lead to low self-esteem and other problems.

87. Treatments for Cognitive disabilities Experts can help a child learn skills by building on the child’s strengths and finding ways to compensate for the child’s weaknesses. Interventions vary depending on the nature and extent of the disability.

88. Treatments for Cognitive disabilities 1. Special Education Service Children diagnosed with learning disabilities can receive special education services. 2. Individualized Education Programs Children who qualify for special education services will receive an Individualized Education Program, or IEP. This personalized and written education plan 3. Qualifying for special education To qualify for special education services, a child must be evaluated by the school system and meet federal and state guidelines. Parents and caregivers can contact their school principal or special education coordinator to find out how to have their child evaluated. Parents can also review these resources

89. Interventions for cognitive disability Below are just a few of the ways schools help children with specific learning disabilities.  

90. Interventions for cognitive disability Dyslexia Intensive teaching techniques . These can include specific, step-by-step, and very methodical approaches to teaching reading with the goal of improving both spoken language and written language skills. These techniques are generally more intensive in terms of how often they occur and how long they last and often involve small group or one-on-one instruction . Classroom modifications . Teachers can give students with dyslexia extra time to finish tasks and provide taped tests that allow the child to hear the questions instead of reading them. Use of technology . Children with dyslexia may benefit from listening to audio books or using word-processing programs.

91. Interventions for cognitive disability Dysgraphia Special tools . Teachers can offer oral exams, provide a note-taker, or allow the child to videotape reports instead of writing them. Computer software can facilitate children being able to produce written text. Use of technology . A child with dysgraphia can be taught to use word-processing programs, including those incorporating speech-to-text translation, or an audio recorder instead of writing by hand. Reducing the need for writing . Teachers can provide notes, outlines, and preprinted study sheets.

92. Interventions for cognitive disability Dyscalculia Visual techniques. Teachers can draw pictures of word problems and show the student how to use colored pencils to differentiate parts of problems. Memory aids . Rhymes and music can help a child remember math concepts. Computers . A child with dyscalculia can use a computer for drills and practice.

93. THE END Thank You