INSTRUCTORS: Kit Malia & Anne Brannagan
'What we call cognition is a complex collection of mental skills that includes attention, perception, comprehension, learning, remembering, problem solving, reasoning and so forth. These mental attributes allow us to understand our world and to function within it. After a brain injury, a person typically loses one or more of these skills. Cognitive rehabilitation is the art and science of restoring these mental processes after injury to the brain'.

COURSE DESCRIPTION:
This one day interactive workshop is suitable for carers living with adults who have cognitive, emotional or insight problems following brain injury.

The course establishes a solid foundation in understanding brain injury, cognitive and emotional problems following brain injury. It also provides suggestions of what to do about these problems.

AIMS:

• To develop skills and knowledge about brain injury
• To develop skills and knowledge about cognitive rehabilitation
• To develop skills and knowledge about emotional problems
• To provide support for the carer
• To provide the opportunity to ask questions about any of the issues

Programme:

UNDERSTANDING WHY PROBLEMS OCCUR FOLLOWING BRAIN INJURY

ANATOMY 10:00am

What does the brain do? General functions of the different parts of the brain. What is damaged. The brain cell. What is a brain injury? The kinds of problems that can occur following brain injury.

Coffee 10:45am

COGNITIVE/EXECUTIVE PROBLEMS 11:15am

Defining cognition. The 5 different cognitive modules – attention, visual processing, information processing, memory & executive functions. Conscious versus automatic skills. Understanding what it is like to experience these cognitive problems – using cognitive simulations.

Lunch 12:00pm

EMOTIONAL & BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS 1:00pm

The needs of the family The grief reaction. Adjustment. Causes of emotional and behavioural problems. Stress and how to manage it. Different ways of coping

Coffee 1:45pm

WHAT YOU CAN DO ABOUT THESE PROBLEMS

THE SKILLS NEEDED: 2:15pm

Developing skills to help the brain injured person. 4 approaches to rehabilitation – education, process training, strategy training & functional activities. The importance of structure. Problems focused coping.

Break 3:00pm

SOLVING PROBLEMS 3:15pm

Solving problems using a 6 stage rational problem focused structure.

FINISH 4:00pm