THE COGNITION - COMMUNICATION CONNECTION
Successful functioning is dependent on effective communication - effective communication is contingent on fluid cognition
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
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:
- Attend to incoming information
- Quickly process all the details
- Remember what we heard, saw or read
- Decide what to do with the information
Any change in cognition will impact on communication
COMMUNICATION
Communication comes in many different forms. It can include:
- 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
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:
Set & achieve goals
Filter distractions
Organise information
Plan & prioritise tasks
Evaluate & make changes
Self-monitor
Control emotions
These skills allow us to focus our attention, think flexibly & make decisions.
SOCIAL CONNECTIONS
Individuals with social challenges are at greater risk of:
- peer rejection
- social neglect
- loneliness, depression, anxiety & social isolation
- negative impacts on further study, dating, finding and maintaining employment
Our programs cover the key areas of social development, including:
- emotional regulation
- conversation skills
- perspective taking
- self esteem
