TRC Chaperone Training
Course Overview
Program Administration
Rideshare Etiquette
Preparing Mentally
Words Matter
Assistive Devices
Service Animals
Meeting the Client
Visible and Hidden Disabilities
In Case of Medical Concerns
Difficult Situations
Well-being of Your Client
COVID-19 Protocol
Medical Training
Online Certification Quiz
Recognizing visible and hidden disabilities
Cognitive impairments and hidden disabilities
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From Wikipedia:
“Cognitive disorders (CDs), also known as neurocognitive disorders (NCDs), are a category of mental health disorders that primarily affect cognitive abilities including learning, memory, perception, and problem solving. Neurocognitive disorders include delirium and mild and major neurocognitive disorder (previously knownas dementia). They are defined by deficits in cognitive ability that are acquired (as opposed to developmental), typically represent decline, and may have an underlying brain pathology. The DSM-5 defines six key domains of cognitive function: executive function, learning and memory, perceptual-motor function, language, complex attention, and social cognition.”
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Types of cognitive impairments
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Without putting labels on individual impairments, cognitive deficiencies can be put into six broad categories:
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Memory
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Problem-solving
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Attention
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Reading, linguistic, and verbal comprehension
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Math comprehension
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Visual comprehension
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Some cognitive challenges are more debilitating than others. Examples of more severe, or clinical deficiencies, include autism, Down Syndrome, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and even dementia. Less severe, but limiting nonetheless, are what are termed functional impairments such as dyslexia, obsessive/compulsive disorder, and attention deficit disorder. Regardless of whether an impairment is considered functional or clinical. The focus should be on the challenges the individual faces given the impairment.
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Invisible disabilities
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Cognitive impairments are among a whole host of conditions that are not readily perceptible. These would include:
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Heart and lung conditions
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Asthma
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Debilitating pain
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Fatigue
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Dizziness
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Brain injuries
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Learning differences
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Mental health disorders
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Hearing and vision impairments
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It’s safe to say that you, as a companion, should prepare for challenges of one sort or another and be ready to treat all with professional concern.