The Definition of Cognitive Disability

Cognitive disability is defined by some as bellow average intellectual function that adversely affects educational and adaptive performance. There are a broad range of disabilities that fit into this criteria. Cognition is the mental process of understanding and acquiring knowledge through the senses, thought and perception. A person with a cognitive disability may have difficulty with some or all of the following cognitive areas:

• Memory formation or retrieval;
• Attention span;
• Reading and comprehension;
• Problem solving; and
• Visual input.

Regardless of the issue facing a disabled person, life can be more cumbersome than usual. Getting help can make daily life more enjoyable and less burdensome. Everyone has challenges they must face, some are more easy to spot than others. Whether you have a serious cognitive disability or one that is functional, help can make a huge difference.

Cognitive Disability Defined

The concept of cognitive disabilities is broad, and often not well defined. A person with a cognitive disability may have difficulty with certain mental tasks that the average person does not. There many types of cognitive disabilities. Most cognitive disabilities have a biological basis. The structure and chemistry of the brain of a cognitively disabled is different from that of a person whose brain function is normal. 

There are many cognitive disabilities that allow a person to function well in many situations. There are also many classifications based on cognitive assessments for different types of cognitive disabilities whether they are debilitating or functional. Some examples of cognitive disabilities include: autism, Down Syndrome, brain injuries, dementia, attention deficit disorder, dyslexia, dyscalculia and other learning disabilities.

If you or someone you care about has a cognitive disability there may be resources available in both educational and employment settings. Getting the resources necessary to function can make a cognitively disabled person's work and education manageable. Some people just think differently than others. Helping them to make connections and manage their cognitive abnormality, no matter the nature, can greatly improve their lives.

Getting Legal Advice

If you need help with a disability case based on a cognitive disability, an experienced disability lawyer can help you through the process of filing a disability claim. An attorney can help assess your disability and the appropriate course of legal action given your circumstances. Getting the assessment regarding the type of cognitive disability is a first step in figuring out what rights the disabled individual has.