Since 1981, the Cognitive Rehabilitation Department has worked in conjunction with the other departments at The Center for Head Injuries to provide comprehensive rehabilitation for patients with brain injury throughout New Jersey. The focus of the programs is to maximize cognitive skills, set realistic goals, and work toward community integration.  Through integrated programs, clients are able to achieve awareness of their strengths, needs and limitations, allowing them to improve their functioning and successfully adapt to their neurologic injuries.

We provide a full range of outpatient therapy services to clients with many different types of brain injuries. Each individual's therapy program is tailored to his or her specific cognitive and physical needs and involves an interdisciplinary team. Each therapist on the team works together with the client and other team members to address the client's cognitive needs in an organized and comprehensive way.  

The therapy team may consist of a neuropsychologist, speech-language therapist, occupational therapist, physical therapist, vocational therapist, education specialist, therapeutic recreation therapist, counselor, and/or a case manager.

Admissions Information

If you believe that you, your family member or your patient would benefit from the programs at JRI's Cognitive Rehabilitation Department, please contact the Center for Head Injuries in Edison, NJ at 732-906-2640. When you call, please have the necessary insurance/funding information and any medical records available.

The Cognitive Rehabilitation Department will then schedule a neuropsychological evaluation. The results of this evaluation will help to determine the program that best fits the patient's needs.

Programs

Neuropsychology Clinic 

• Provides three to five hours of therapy per week
• Designed for people with limited needs, including those who have returned to work or school and are functioning independently in the home or community

Standard Program

• Provides fifteen to twenty-five hours of therapy per week (varies from client to client)
• Designed for people with cognitive and physical limitations due to neurologic illness and injury
• May include individual and/or group treatment in the areas of speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, neuropsychology, cognitive educational therapy, prevocational cognitive therapy, therapeutic recreation, rehabilitation counseling and/or case management

Intensive Cognitive Rehabilitation Program (ICRP)

• Provides three to four days of therapy per week
• Group-intensive (two to three groups per day), including Cognitive Group, Life Skills Group and Communication Group
• Primary therapist sessions two to three days per week
• Physical, occupational and other therapies as necessary
• Highly structured program

Day Activities Program 

• Provides up to 5 days of activities per week
• Provides ongoing support, structure and supervision for people with brain injuries who have completed other forms of rehab, but continue to require additional support and stimulation
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• Therapy Team
  
  The neuropsychologist works with the client to determine how the brain injury affects the cognitive, emotional and behavioral performance. The clinician uses specialized testing to evaluate the client's cognitive functioning in areas such as attention and concentration, memory, learning, judgment and reasoning. The neuropsychologist makes recommendations for rehabilitation therapies, facilitates the case conferences, and integrates the interdisciplinary information into monthly treatment plans. The neuropsychologist also provides individual, family and/or group cognitive therapies and psychotherapy.
  
  The occupational therapist provides activity-based treatment in keeping with the goal of achieving maximum independence in daily living skills. This therapist evaluates and treats cognitive and physical deficits, visual and perceptual difficulties, and daily living skills deficits. Emphasis is placed on strategy development and use of assistive devices and technology to achieve maximum independence.
  
  The physical therapist's primary focus is on continued development of motor skills for attainment of highest functional recovery. This therapist evaluates range of motion, strength, coordination, balance and vestibular function, and endurance and mobility skills. The physical therapist provides exercise programs and family training as necessary and assists with the transition to community programs.  Physical therapists also specialize in integrating cognitive needs to maximize independence and safety.
  
  The speech-language pathologist is responsible for the evaluation and treatment of speech, language and cognitive deficits. Treatment addresses listening and reading comprehension, verbal and written expressions, articulation, swallowing, thinking skills, and social-based communication. 

The counselor helps the client through the adjustment process by providing ongoing individual, group and/or family therapy. This therapist helps the team understand how the client's personality and coping style may affect treatment or adjustment to the brain injury. The counselor participates in family meetings, facilitates the family's understanding of the emotional aspects of the recovery process, and supports their adjustment to the client's cognitive/behavioral impairments. The counselor supports the client's and family's ability to adapt to functional changes as they impact on family roles and provides assistance in accessing concrete services.

The therapeutic recreation therapist focuses on developing satisfying leisure experiences and community skills within the capabilities of the client. The therapist may provide recommendations for modification and adaptive equipment in order to resume pre-injury leisure interests and explore additional leisure alternatives. The therapist also provides social opportunities to decrease isolation related to the brain injury.

The vocational therapist works to develop and implement a vocational plan with the client.  The plan reflects the client's vocational abilities, interests, and cognitive work skills. The therapist provides strategy training as well as functional work experiences through therapeutic work trials. This therapist may also act as the liaison between the client and the workplace or provide referrals to outside vocational services as needed.

The education specialist evaluates reading, language and math skills for clients planning to return to an academic environment and provides strategy training to improve study skills. This therapist is available to work as a liaison among the school, the client and the treatment team.

The case manager acts as a liaison among the client, the family and the treatment team. This therapist coordinates the individual's case, including scheduling treatment, monitoring progress, and tracking care provided to the client outside the facility. The case manager schedules and attends regular family meetings and provides updates, education and support.

Insurance/Funding

The Cognitive Rehabilitation Department works with a variety of insurance funding sources as well as other funding resources such as the Department of Vocational Rehabilitation Services (DVRS) and the TBI fund. We also conduct research through federally funded grants that may be available to help with the cost of treatment services.

For additional funding resources, please contact the Brain Injury Association of NJ.

Neuropsychological Evaluation

The neuropsychological evaluation is used to assess a client's cognitive functioning, determine what changes in functioning may have occurred as a result of brain injury or disease, and make recommendations for treatment. Using questionnaires and verbal and paper-and-pencil tests, the neuropsychologist evaluates the client's sensory and motor abilities, attention and concentration, memory, language, visuospatial ability, and "higher cognitive functioning" (e.g., reasoning, problem solving and judgment). 

The testing generally requires three to six hours on one day, although some evaluations require more time. The results of the evaluation and any treatment recommendations will be discussed with the client and, if they agree, with family members.