formal performance assessments.  Thus, skilled observation of how they participate in activities, interact with persons and objects in their environment, and the antecedents of both adaptive and problem behaviors is usually the best approach for determining cognitive levels and skills. 

 

A revealing assessment includes manipulating an environment in which the patient is presented with several functional tasks.  Have a licensed therapist directly involved with providing instruction to the patient.  Have another therapy staff member (possibly of an alternate discipline) observe this process from a distant location where this second set of eyes is purely performing a skilled assessment from a strategic vantage point.

 

For additional information regarding Evaluation, Treatment and Goal Setting for the cognitively impaired patient, log onto our 1-hour audioconference broadcasting Summer 2008.  See Seminar schedule listed below.