Unknown, invisible, cognitive disorders are common in Cerebral Palsy (CP), aggravating the disability of the suffering person.

Children with cognitive disorders will have difficulty to achieve independently gestures, for example: to read a plan, to sort papers, to lead a glass to mouth, to write with a pen etc.

What are cognitive disorders?

"Cognitive" comes from the latin word cognere, which means to know, to respond and adaptively receive information from the environment.

Cognitive functions allow receipt and interpretation of information (neural-visual functions), learning (memory, attention, concentration), the organization of knowledge and actions control (executive functions), reacting to the environment (gestural functions) and interrelation with others (oral language and writing). These functions interact.

Cognitive disorders involve impaired cognitive functions. In a large number of people suffering from CP, motor disorders associated with cognitive disorders.

It is important to distinguish cognitive disorders from intellectual deficiency.

There 2 types of cognitive disorders:

1. General, which may include mental deficiency and development disorders;

2. Specific, impairing some intellectual functions (neuro-visual disorders, disorders of the praxis) and the functions of thinking, conceptualization or logic are stored.

Cause

The latest medical brain imaging research, have determined that cognitive disorders are caused by interruption of brain circuits.

Cognitive disorders symptoms

Cognitive disorders occur gradually over time, having as main symptom learning difficulties at school or in everyday life, while thinking ability and general intellectual capacities are retained.

Cognitive disability and the difficulties it creates are individual for each person. Cognitive disorders are manifested in various forms, which combine differently. Here are some spheres affected by cognitive disorders:

• Attention;
• Some aspects of memory;
• Oral and written language;
• Perception of space or their own body, the gestures of everyday life;
• Ability to recognize images or signs involved in reading and writing.

Thus, a person may be able to think mathematically, but can not calculate, suffering from "dyscalculia". The automatism and gestures planning may by affected - "dyspraxia". In this case, the person may pay the cup, her graphics skills will be mediocre, and her attention will be concentrated on the voluntary control of gestures, which are not automated.

Although cognitive and motor disorders are theoretically independent, they influence and worsen each other.

For example, a person with walking difficulties will walk less and will not develop tracking capabilities, resulting in guidance problems.

Similarly, impaired gestures and movement control will worsen the consequences of motor problems, such as spasticity (high muscular tone).

Cognitive disorders, like motor disorders, depend of the emotional factor. A situation of stress may increase the difficulties.

Currently available diagnostic tests

The neuro-psychologist will perform a neuro-psychological assessment, using specific diagnostic tests. Diagnostic tests are continually evolving.

The importance of diagnosis and management

Cognitive disorders are often difficult to diagnose and the figures currently available, indicating their weight, are understated.

Their insufficient knowledge reduces understanding difficulties of those affected and is an important cause of social integration difficulties. Thus, attention problems at school long time may be attributed to a lack of motivation, and not to a cognitive disorder. School difficulties can be solved successfully, if there is a dialogue between families, teachers and careers.

Early diagnosis and surveillance is a very important moment, helping access to school, work and a better autonomy of individuals affected by cognitive disorders.

Possessing more information about cognitive disorders, patients will better understand how they perceive the world and can find an answer to fundamental questions like: "How think my damaged brain?" or "How to turn this thought in successful action? “

Professionals involved in rehabilitation and management

The neuro-psychologist will work with physical therapist, occupational therapist and speech therapist to offer a complete rehabilitation program to the patient. Periodically, the multidisciplinary team will make reassessment and develop new recommendations to complete the treatment plan.

The mutual cooperation among professionals, families, teachers and careers is important.

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