In a recent article published on the Brain Injury Group website, Jo Tighe, Lead Speech & Language Therapist at STEPS Rehabilitation, highlights the often overlooked effects of brain injury on communication.
While some consequences of brain injury are immediately visible, others remain hidden, yet they can profoundly affect how a person connects with others, participates in daily life, and feels about themselves. One frequently overlooked challenge is Cognitive Communication Disorder (CCD).
CCD affects how a person thinks, processes information, and communicates. It’s not just about speech or vocabulary; it involves attention, memory, problem-solving, processing speed, and social understanding.
Signs of CCD can include:
- Losing track of conversations or becoming easily distracted
- Forgetting information or needing repetition
- Difficulty understanding jokes, sarcasm, or indirect messages
- Challenges organising ideas or expressing thoughts clearly
- Changes in social communication, including altered eye contact or interrupting
Because these difficulties can be subtle, CCD is often misinterpreted as stress, fatigue, low mood, or personality traits. Research shows that up to three out of four people with moderate to severe traumatic brain injury experience cognitive communication difficulties.
At STEPS Rehabilitation, our specialist Speech and Language Therapy team takes a proactive approach. Every individual with a suspected or confirmed brain injury is screened for CCD, and tailored interventions support the best possible outcomes in communication and daily life.
Read the full article on the Brain Injury Group website: “The Hidden Disability After Brain Injury: Understanding Cognitive Communication Disorders”.