THE COGNITION - COMMUNICATION CONNECTION
Successful functioning is dependent on effective communication - effective communication is contingent on fluid cognition
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COGNITION:
Cognition is anything to do with thinking
COMMUNICATION:
Communication is anything to do with communicating with the world around us.
THE CONNECTION:
Both are necessary for successful day to day functioning. If you can't think or communicate effectively - it's hard to be functional
COGNITION
Cognition is anything to do with thinking
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Cognitive skills are needed to process information. In order to learn, retain and use our knowledge, we need to be able to use all of these skills effectively:
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- Attend to incoming information
- Quickly process all the details
- Remember what we heard, saw or read
- Decide what to do with the information
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Any change in cognition will impact on communication
COMMUNICATION
Communication comes in many different forms. It can include:
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- Talking
- Participating in conversations
- Phone calls, text messages & emails
- Social media
- Understanding language
- Knowing what to say and when to say it
- Spoken & written communication
- Verbal & non verbal communication
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More confident communication helps maximise educational, vocational, health & social outcomes
EXECUTIVE FUNCTIONING
Executive functions are our performance skills that help us get things done. These skills are essential to:
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Set & achieve goals
Filter distractions
Organise information
Plan & prioritise tasks
Evaluate & make changes
Self-monitor
Control emotions
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These skills allow us to focus our attention, think flexibly & make decisions.
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
Individuals with social challenges are at greater risk of:
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- peer rejection
- social neglect
- loneliness, depression, anxiety & social isolation
- negative impacts on further study, dating, finding and maintaining employment
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Our programs cover the key areas of social development, including:
- emotional regulation
- conversation skills
- perspective taking
- self esteem
