Cognitive abilities allow us to carry out any task, therefore we use them constantly to learn and remember information, integrate information regarding personal history and identity, manage information relatin gto the time or moment one is living and to where one is heading, maintain and shift attention, recognize different sounds, process different stimuli, perform calculations or represent and mentally manipulate objects.

All the activities we do require using our cognitive functions, which involves millions of neuronal connections distributed throughout the brain lobes and the activation of different brain areas to interact safely with our environment and process the information we obtain through different path ways.

Cognitive functions, Types and examples of cognitive abilities:

Orientation

• Personal
• Temporal
• Spatial

Attention

• Processing speed
• Sustained attention
• Selective attention
• Alternating attention
• Hemineglect

Memory

• Semantic
• Episodic
• Procedural

Language

• Expression
• Comprehension
• Vocabulary
• Naming
• Fluency
• Discrimination
• Repetition
• Reading
• Writing

Executive functions

• Working memory
• Reasoning
• Planning
• Inhibition
• Flexibility
• Decision making
• Time estimation
• Dual-task performance
• Branching

Gnosis

• Visual
• Auditory
• Tactile
• Gustatory
• Olfactory
• Body schema

Praxis

• Facial
• Ideomotor
• Ideational
• Visuoconstructive

Visuospatial skills

• Spatial relations
• Spatial visualization

Social cognition

Cognitive impairments

Cognitive disorders, as the name suggests, affect cognitive abilities. Individuals who suffer from cognitive disorders thereby have impairments in memory, executive function, language, praxis, gnosis, etc.

Below, we recommend different activitiesfor improving cognitive functiondepending onthe type of cognitive function or processto be rehabilitated.

Activities for improving cognitive function or cognitive abilities

This is a compilation of exercises or activities arranged by cognitive ability. Move the mouse over the image links to see what functions are trained in the different activities and have access to blogs addressing the rehabilitation of eachspecific function:

• Worksheets to improve gnosis
• Worksheets for improving attention and memory in children and adults
• Exercises to improve attention
• Activities to improve memory
• Memory games for seniors
• Activities to improve executive functions
• Activities for improving reasoning in children
• Social cognition activities
• Social skills games
• Exercises for the rehabilitation of visuospatial skills
• Exercises to improve praxis
• Exercises for improving language
• Activities for improving orientation