OT’s Role in the Assessment of Functional Cognition – Non-Member Occupational Therapist

At times, OT’s role in the assessment and treatment of clients with cognitive deficits can be confusing and often considered redundant with services provided by other disciplines. The current trend, and initiative from AOTA, is for OT’s to use the term Functional Cognition versus Cognition, when referring to services provided by OTs. This term better represents OT’s role and differentiates our profession from others. This presentation will define the term, provide justification for the inclusion of OT, and introduce the Cognitive Functional Evaluation process.

Objectives of the course:

• • • Participants will be able to verbalize OT’s unique role in the assessment of functional cognition.
    • Participants will be able to identify how the term functional cognition differs from the term cognition.
    • Participants will be able to compare and contrast the use of screenings, domain specific, and occupational performance assessments.
    • Participants will be able to justify the use of occupational performance to assess functional cognition.

Beth Cardell, PhD, OTR/L, Associate Professor, Lecturer at the University of Utah, Department of Occupational and Recreational Therapies. Beth has been an Occupational Therapist for over 30 years, focusing her clinical work and research on the treatment of clients with cognitive deficits.

Earn .2 CEUs/2 contact hours