Cognitive Disability FOR

Cognitive disability and FOR was developed by Clondia K. Allen.

It was developed to conceptualise intervention strategies for people who, as a result of brain pathology, are not able to carry out their normal life activities.

According to Allen, cognitive disability represents a physical or biochemical restriction in the information processing capacities of the brain that produces, observable, miserable limitations in routine task behaviours.

Theoretical base –

The cognitive disability FOR derived its theoretical base from research in the field of neurosciences, information processing, cognitive pathology and biological psychiatry.

Assumptions -

1. The severity of a mental disorder can be judged by the consequences, it has on a person’s capacity to think, do and learn.
   

2. Mild mental disorders can be compensated for by learning psychological substitutes for normal mental processes.
   

3. Severe mental disorders can be associated with limited mental abilities that can not be corrected by what the person says or does.
   

4. Severe mental disorders can be compensated for by providing an environmental substitute for normal mental processes and identifying normal processes that can still be used.
   

5. The remaining mental abilities can be engaged in doing realistic activities that are meaningful to the client, practical for caregivers and sustainable over time.
   

6. When people are unable to learn to use psychological compensation effectively, environmental compensation can improve the quality of life for them and their long-term caregivers.
   

Domains of concern -

1. All performance areas.

• Activities of daily living (BADL & IADL)

• Social

• Education

• Participation

• Leisure

• Work

2. Process skills or cognition

3. Routine habits

4. Physical and social context

5. Analysis of activity demand

Assessments –

1. Allen cognitive level screen
   

2. Routine task inventory
   

Postulates regarding change –

Two postulates –

1. Chains to capacity
   

2. Environmental changes.

Strength of the FOR –

1. Using the cognitive disability model is an effective way of quickly identifying a disruption in cognition as it relates to daily function.
   

2. If a change in the underlying mental structures is desired, this model can measure the change.

Limitations –

• The concepts related to the higher cognitive levels within this model are not well articulated and hence the confusion.
  

• Examples of facilitating clients with higher cognitive disabilities are needed.
  

• Allen’s Cognitive Level-