INFORMAL ASSESSMENT OF COGNITIVE ABILITIES

1. AWARENESS/ CONSCIOUSNESS

1.1 Level Of Awareness (mark where appropriate)

Clear
Clouded consciousness
Confusion
Delirium
Stupor
Coma
Twilight states

Manifestations (how did it present in your patient/client?):

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Implication (on function/assessment/treatment):
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1.2 Standardised Indicators/ Formal Assessment Results (See attachments for the scales
below)

Result (score or level):

Glasgow Coma Scale
The Rancho Los Amigos Scale-Revised (RLAS-R)
Other:
2. CONCENTRATION AND ATTENTION

Through observation, activity participation and interview with client; complete the
following:

 Does the patient/client pay attention?

YES/ NO

Describe the manifestation? Take into account: Factors that influence ability to concentrate
and focus attention; Does the patient/client follow and execute instructions; how many
instructions for age/ how many steps to execute; Note age-appropriate steps in an activity
as well as creative ability level; Does the patient/client deliver a satisfactory product; Does
patient/client follow your discussion; Does patient/client answer your questions; Does the
patient/client maintain eye contact
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 Quality of concentration – describe manifestations and implications

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 Duration of concentration – is it age appropriate?

Pre-school child: 10-15 min
Primary- school child: 20-30 min
High school child: 30-40 min
Adult: 45 min
  Distractibility – describe manifestation and implications
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 Internal distractibility (pain, fatigue, thoughts, anxiety, daydreaming, discomfort)

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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 External distractibility (noise, movements)

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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3. MEMORY

1. Short term memory (seconds, minutes – five items for seven-year old, six items for
nine-year old)

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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2. Long term memory (months and years; divided into semantic, episodic and
procedural)
Manifestations:
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Implications:
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2.1 Semantic memory (memory for facts)

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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2.2 Episodic memory (memory for events)

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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2.3 Procedural memory (Memory about how to do something)

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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4. THOUGHT PROCESSES

4.1 Form of thought (mark where appropriate and motivate)

Abstract Concrete
Realistic Unrealistic
Rational Irrational
Dereistic
Manifestations:
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Implications:
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4.2 Flow of thought (mark where appropriate and motivate)

Disturbed associations
Neologisms
Clang
Stereotypical thought
Perseveration
Parallel thought
Thought block
Delayed thought
Flight of ideas
Disconnected thought
Diffuse thought
Tangential thought
Thought pressure
Verbigeration
Poor thought
Echolalia
Aphony
Mutism

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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4.3 Content of thought (mark where appropriate)

Mysterious experience
Fantasy
Phobias
Obsessions
Pre-occupation
Hypochondria
Magical Thinking
Delusions
Concept formation: Elementary Compound Abstract

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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5. BODY AWARENESS

5.1 Body scheme:

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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5.2 Body Concept:

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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5.3 Body Image:

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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6. REALITY ORIENTATION

6.1 Time:
Manifestations:
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Implications:
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6.2 Place:
Manifestations:
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Implications:
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6.3 Person:
Manifestations:
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Implications:
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6.4 Situation:
Manifestations:
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Implications:
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7. INSIGHT

Phase of insight development

Complete denial of illness.

Slight awareness of being sick and needing help, but denying it at the same

Awareness of being sick but blaming it on others, on external factors, or

Awareness that illness is caused by something unkown to the patient.

Intellectual insight: admission that the patient is ill and that symptoms or

failures in social adjustment are caused by the patient’s own particular irrational
feelings or disturbances without applying this knowledge to future experiences.
True emotional insight: emotional awareness of the motives and feelings within

the patient and the important persons in his/her life, which can lead to basic
changes in behaviour.
Manifestations:
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Implications:
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7.1 Intellectual insight:

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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7.2 Emotional insight:

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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8. JUDGEMENT
 Quality
Manifestations:
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Implications:_________________________________________________________________
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 Situation
Manifestations:
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Implications:_________________________________________________________________
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 Critical
Manifestations:
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Implications:_________________________________________________________________
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9. EXECUTIVE COGNITIVE SKILLS

These include concept formation and categorisation, problem solving and decision making

1. Concept formation and Categorisation (e.g sorting outdoor toys from indoor toys; for
adults - sorting whites and coloured clothing when doing laundry tasks, organising
work clothes and weekend clothes)
Manifestations:
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Implications:_________________________________________________________________
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2. Problem solving:
Is the client/child able to complete the following tasks
 Recognise there is a problem
 Understand the problem
 Identify strategies or solutions to resolve the problem
 Evaluate strategies
 Select the correct strategy and carry out

Manifestations:
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Implications:
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 3. Decision making abilities
Manifestations:
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Implications:
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Brown, C., Stoffel V.C., & Munoz J., 2019. Occupational Therapy in Mental Health: A Vision for Participation. Second edition., Philadelphia:
F.A Davis Company.
Teasdale G. Acute impairment of brain function-1. Assessing 'conscious level'. Nursing Times.1975 71(24):914-7
Teasdale G, Allen D, Brennan P, McElhinney E, Mackinnon L. The Glasgow Coma Scale: an update after 40 years. Nursing Times 2014; 110:
12-16
(Sadock & Sadock 2007)