Practice Makes Perfect

Practice makes perfect holds true no matter the age, culture, or situation. I use it in therapy whether the client is 6 years old or 60 years old.

It applies to any behaviour we do. I think you could confront any sport coach and ask 'What is the best way to become a better swimmer, cyclist, or javelin thrower? The answer would undoubtedly be 'by swimming, cycling, or throwing a javelin more.' Throwing a baseball is not a great solution to perfecting your skill at throwing a javelin.

So, when I saw Friday's episode of Marketplace on CBC, I was not at all surprised. In summary, Marketplace challenged a group of individuals to use a specific computer software program for one month,  to determine if it resulted in improving overall cognitive function. It did not. Deep down inside I was saddened, as there was always a small part of me that truly hoped these types of brain training exercises really do make a difference. 

What does 'practice make perfect' and brain training (cognitive re-training) have in common? A lot. Therapists who treat those suffering with cognitive loss often use such programs as Luminosity as well as the standard pen and paper exercises to 'regain neurological connections, increase synapses' etc.

I am not saying that the exercises do not have any relevance to their overall cognitive progression, but is this type of 'fee for service' therapy superior to a caregiver or loved one engaging the client in a similar fashion? Likely not. 

Would a Clinician be able to guide and support the client and their team of caregivers by providing ongoing standardized assessments that measure working memory, speech, language, and other cognitions related to mental acuity? Yes.

Ultimately the best way of regaining a specific cognitive behaviour is by doing that behaviour; do it in real life. You will not only enjoy it more, but you will gain more from it.  

I think watching this episode of Marketplace reinforced my decision years ago to leave the specific practice of providing clinical word-finding, memory, problem solving, etc. types of treatment to those with cognitive and neurological loss due to trauma.

It reinforced my decision to seek specific training in counselling, as this was the area of treatment that appeared most effective and to which I seemed to migrate to more during treatment sessions; that is, providing support to the client and their caregivers, in terms of education, standardized assessments, and clinical strategies as it related to speech/language loss due to neurological decline. 

Offering those suffering from cognitive loss a sense of companionship, outings, social engagement, proper diet, and adequate exercise opportunities provides the greatest value towards rehabilitation.

I continue to offer counselling to those who suffer from anxiety, trauma, and depression associated with speech and language disorders. This work provides me great satisfaction as a therapist and counsellor. Offering online accent modification classes, along with speech, language and literacy learning brings continued gratification to me as a speech language pathologist and educator.