Still Feeling “Off” After a Concussion? Cognitive-Communication Therapy with an SLP Can Help
A concussion is often described as a mild traumatic brain injury, but its effects may not feel mild. Even after headaches, dizziness, and other physical symptoms begin to improve, some people continue to experience brain fog, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or trouble keeping up with everyday responsibilities.
These challenges may be signs of a cognitive-communication disorder. A speech-language pathologist can help identify how a concussion is affecting your thinking and communication skills—and develop practical strategies to make daily life feel more manageable.
What Is Cognitive Communication?
Cognitive communication refers to the thinking skills we use to communicate effectively and complete daily activities. These skills include:
Attention and concentration
Memory
Processing speed
Planning and organization
Problem-solving
Mental flexibility
Word finding
Reading and understanding information
Following conversations
Managing multiple tasks
Following a concussion, you may still be able to perform these tasks, but they can require significantly more effort than they did before. You may also notice that your symptoms become worse when you are tired, stressed, distracted, or in a noisy environment.
Signs of Cognitive-Communication Changes After a Concussion
Cognitive symptoms can be subtle and may not always appear on medical imaging. However, they can have a major impact on work, school, relationships, and independence.
Common concerns include:
Feeling mentally foggy or slowed down
Forgetting appointments, conversations, or tasks
Losing your train of thought
Difficulty finding the right word
Becoming overwhelmed by too much information
Trouble following group conversations
Difficulty focusing with background noise
Needing more time to read or understand information
Struggling to plan, prioritize, or complete tasks
Making mistakes when switching between activities
Experiencing significant mental fatigue
Feeling less organized or efficient than before the concussion
These difficulties can be especially frustrating when you appear “fine” to others but know that your brain is not working the way it normally does.
How Can a Speech-Language Pathologist Help?
Speech therapy after a concussion is not limited to speech production. Speech-language pathologists are also trained to evaluate and treat cognitive-communication difficulties involving attention, memory, executive functioning, language, and information processing.
Treatment is individualized based on your symptoms, responsibilities, and personal goals. Rather than practicing random memory games, cognitive-communication therapy focuses on skills and strategies that can be used in your real life.
Therapy may include:
Strategies for improving attention and managing distractions
Systems for remembering appointments and daily responsibilities
Techniques for planning, prioritizing, and organizing tasks
Breaking larger activities into smaller, manageable steps
Strategies for reading, retaining, and summarizing information
Practice switching between tasks more accurately
Word-finding and thought-organization strategies
Preparing for a gradual return to work or school
Managing cognitive fatigue and recognizing when breaks are needed
Using calendars, reminders, notes, and other external supports effectively
The goal is to reduce cognitive overload, improve independence, and help you return to the activities that matter most to you.
What Does Cognitive-Communication Therapy Look Like?
Therapy should reflect the demands of your daily life. A college student may work on taking notes, studying, and managing assignments. A healthcare professional may practice interpreting information while handling interruptions. A parent may focus on remembering schedules, organizing household tasks, and managing competing demands.
Your speech-language pathologist may also teach structured problem-solving approaches, such as pausing to identify the goal, developing a plan, completing the task, and checking the result. These strategies can improve accuracy while reducing the frustration that often comes from trying to push through cognitive fatigue.
Concussion Therapy in Buffalo and West Seneca, NY
If you are continuing to experience brain fog, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, word-finding trouble, or mental fatigue after a concussion, cognitive-communication therapy may help.
Back 2 You Speech Language Pathology provides individualized concussion evaluations and cognitive therapy for adults in Buffalo, West Seneca, and throughout Western New York. Teletherapy may also be available for clients located elsewhere in New York State.
You do not have to navigate post-concussion cognitive changes alone. With the right strategies and support, daily activities can begin to feel more manageable again.
Contact Back 2 You Speech Language Pathology today to learn more or schedule an evaluation.
Phone: 716-202-8616
Email: kpaler@back2youslp.com
Location: 40 Gardenville Parkway W, Suite 216, West Seneca, NY 14224
Helping YOU get back to YOU!
A concussion is often described as a mild traumatic brain injury, but its effects may not feel mild. Even after headaches, dizziness, and other physical symptoms begin to improve, some people continue to experience brain fog, forgetfulness, difficulty concentrating, or trouble keeping up with everyday responsibilities.
These challenges may be signs of a cognitive-communication disorder. A speech-language pathologist can help identify how a concussion is affecting your thinking and communication skills—and develop practical strategies to make daily life feel more manageable.
What Is Cognitive Communication?
Cognitive communication refers to the thinking skills we use to communicate effectively and complete daily activities. These skills include:
Attention and concentration
Memory
Processing speed
Planning and organization
Problem-solving
Mental flexibility
Word finding
Reading and understanding information
Following conversations
Managing multiple tasks
Following a concussion, you may still be able to perform these tasks, but they can require significantly more effort than they did before. You may also notice that your symptoms become worse when you are tired, stressed, distracted, or in a noisy environment.
Signs of Cognitive-Communication Changes After a Concussion
Cognitive symptoms can be subtle and may not always appear on medical imaging. However, they can have a major impact on work, school, relationships, and independence.
Common concerns include:
Feeling mentally foggy or slowed down
Forgetting appointments, conversations, or tasks
Losing your train of thought
Difficulty finding the right word
Becoming overwhelmed by too much information
Trouble following group conversations
Difficulty focusing with background noise
Needing more time to read or understand information
Struggling to plan, prioritize, or complete tasks
Making mistakes when switching between activities
Experiencing significant mental fatigue
Feeling less organized or efficient than before the concussion
These difficulties can be especially frustrating when you appear “fine” to others but know that your brain is not working the way it normally does.
How Can a Speech-Language Pathologist Help?
Speech therapy after a concussion is not limited to speech production. Speech-language pathologists are also trained to evaluate and treat cognitive-communication difficulties involving attention, memory, executive functioning, language, and information processing.
Treatment is individualized based on your symptoms, responsibilities, and personal goals. Rather than practicing random memory games, cognitive-communication therapy focuses on skills and strategies that can be used in your real life.
Therapy may include:
Strategies for improving attention and managing distractions
Systems for remembering appointments and daily responsibilities
Techniques for planning, prioritizing, and organizing tasks
Breaking larger activities into smaller, manageable steps
Strategies for reading, retaining, and summarizing information
Practice switching between tasks more accurately
Word-finding and thought-organization strategies
Preparing for a gradual return to work or school
Managing cognitive fatigue and recognizing when breaks are needed
Using calendars, reminders, notes, and other external supports effectively
The goal is to reduce cognitive overload, improve independence, and help you return to the activities that matter most to you.
What Does Cognitive-Communication Therapy Look Like?
Therapy should reflect the demands of your daily life. A college student may work on taking notes, studying, and managing assignments. A healthcare professional may practice interpreting information while handling interruptions. A parent may focus on remembering schedules, organizing household tasks, and managing competing demands.
Your speech-language pathologist may also teach structured problem-solving approaches, such as pausing to identify the goal, developing a plan, completing the task, and checking the result. These strategies can improve accuracy while reducing the frustration that often comes from trying to push through cognitive fatigue.
Concussion Therapy in Buffalo and West Seneca, NY
If you are continuing to experience brain fog, memory problems, difficulty concentrating, word-finding trouble, or mental fatigue after a concussion, cognitive-communication therapy may help.
Back 2 You Speech Language Pathology provides individualized concussion evaluations and cognitive therapy for adults in Buffalo, West Seneca, and throughout Western New York. Teletherapy may also be available for clients located elsewhere in New York State.
You do not have to navigate post-concussion cognitive changes alone. With the right strategies and support, daily activities can begin to feel more manageable again.
Contact Back 2 You Speech Language Pathology today to learn more or schedule an evaluation.
Phone: 716-202-8616
Email: kpaler@back2youslp.com
Location: 40 Gardenville Parkway W, Suite 216, West Seneca, NY 14224
Helping YOU get back to YOU!
