cognitive-communication disorder
A communication impairment arising not from language or speech mechanisms per se, but from underlying cognitive deficits such as memory, attention, executive function, or perception—commonly observed in dementia and acquired brain injury.
Full Definition
Cognitive-communication disorder is a speech-language pathology classification describing difficulties in communication that are secondary to cognitive impairment rather than to primary linguistic or motor speech deficits. Affected patients may present with problems in social communication, topic maintenance, understanding implied meaning, organizing narratives, and responding to complex instructions. In geriatric rehabilitation, it is a frequent consequence of dementia, traumatic brain injury, and right-hemisphere stroke. Editors must ensure the term is hyphenated consistently ('cognitive-communication') and should not be substituted with 'aphasia', which specifically denotes a language disorder arising from dominant hemisphere damage. The disorder is typically assessed and managed by a speech-language pathologist.
Usage
Usage note: Always hyphenate: 'cognitive-communication disorder'. Do not conflate with aphasia, which is a primary language disorder. Managed by speech-language pathology.
In Context
- "The speech-language pathologist identified a cognitive-communication disorder characterised by poor topic maintenance and reduced ability to follow multi-step instructions." — Speech pathology assessment report
- "Family education sessions addressed strategies for communicating effectively with a relative who has a cognitive-communication disorder following right-hemisphere stroke." — Patient and family education resource