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8 tips for better communication with patients

Research shows that a positive relationship between patient and clinician can improve therapy outcomes. How can clinicians improve communication with patients?

Anger and Traumatic Brain Injury

Many survivors of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often deal with feelings of anger and irritability after their injury. For some, these feelings of anger can range from mild to severe, and have been studied across different samples of people. Post-tr

Cognitive Impairment Associated With Cancer

For many patients with cancer or are in remission, cognitive impairment is frequently a complaint. In a national cross sectional study, it was reported that a history of cancer was associated with a 40% chance of an increased amount of memory issues.

Cognitive Rehabilitation of Memory Problems in Patients with Epilepsy

If you live in the northern hemisphere, you are probably familiar with the drastic change of seasons. With the switch from the summer to the fall comes not only cooler weather, but less daily sunlight. This may cause people to experience seasonal aff

Digital exercises to improve processing speed

Processing speed refers to the amount of time it takes for a person to understand and respond to stimuli around them. Here are a few of the best exercises to improve processing speed.

Gender Differences in TBI

Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) can be very detrimental to one’s health and wellbeing. Brain injury commonly causes individuals to have cognitive, mental health, and physical complications. TBIs can be caused by contact sports injuries, motor vehicle

How a stroke can affect social cognition

The effects of a stroke can vary widely. For some, a stroke can affect social cognition and social behavior.

How to help patients improve sustained attention

You may have patients who struggle with different types of attention. One that proves difficult for many people is maintaining sustained attention. In this article, we'll discuss how to improve sustained attention skills.

Research shows that cognitive stimulation may alleviate cognitive decline in older adults

More and more research is showing the benefits of cognitive stimulation. A new study shows the benefits of cognitive games in mitigating cognitive decline in older adults.

Spiderwebs and the Brain

With October 31st creeping up, we see more and more Halloween décor. Not only are people decorating with carved pumpkins and silly or spooky ghosts, but they are also putting up spiderwebs. Between real and decorative spiderwebs, webs seem to always

TBI in Children

TBI stands for traumatic brain injury, and occurs when one experiences damage to the brain. This type of damage is specific, and creates a disruption in the functioning of the brain. Not all injuries to the head are TBIs, but all TBIs are severe inju

The Impact of COVID-19 On Cognition

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about new challenges across all components of the medical field. Clinical providers are learning about how COVID-19 has impacted the brain in survivors. Severe cases of COVID-19 have resulted in neuropsychological impair

The Key Differences Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s

There is a common misconception that dementia and Alzheimer’s are two separate conditions, however this isn’t exactly the case.

The Neurobiology of Reading

Reading is a complex cognitive process that involves a network of connections throughout the entire brain. Oftentimes, educators overlook the neurobiology of cognitive skills required for activities such as reading. Understanding the neurobiology of

The Online Brain: How the Internet Changes Our Cognition

Today, we scroll through hundreds of pieces of digital content a day, and for some people, thousands. The internet has changed the way we communicate, do business, socialize, learn - overall how we live as a society. When people perform an activity c

What is Neurogenesis?

Our brains are made of billions of cells. During development, stem cells receive signals from the outside environment that determine which kind of cell it will become within our brains. Sometimes, stem cells develop into neurons through a process cal

What is Neuroplasticity, and why is it important?

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to modify connections and change its activity in response to stimuli, basically “re-wiring” itself. So, what does this mean?

What Is Neurotherapy?

Many people hear the word Neurotherapy but have no idea what exactly it is. In this blog post, we discuss what Neurotherapy is and why it may interest you.

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Why you need sugar for a healthy brain

Sugar plays a crucial role in our brain health and cognitive function. However, too much can be detrimental to our health. So let’s break it down. What is the relationship between sugar and brain health, and how much is too much?

Why you should limit the number of exercises available to your patients

When using HappyNeuron Pro, you have the option of limiting cognitive exercises visible to your patient. In fact, this is recommended! 

[Video] BIS Services – Going Digital During Covid

Natalie Mackenize has been working in Cognitive Rehabilitation since 2004. She holds a master's degree in Cognitive Neuropsychology, is a certified brain injury specialist, accredited Cognitive Rehabilitation Therapist, a Hypnotherapist, and is the o

[Video] Complex Brain Injury Rehab – Remote and In-home Occupational Therapy

Brain injuries are complex injuries. Heather Condello and her team of occupational therapists, including Ayushi Dhingra, understand that. Heather and Ayushi discuss how they approach brain injury and redefine occupational therapy to help their client

[Video] TEDTalk – An Occupational Therapist’s Role in Person-Centered Design

Rebecca Langbein is pursuing her clinical doctorate in Occupational Therapy (OT) at Thomas Jefferson University. Like many OTs, Rebecca is constantly learning about how OT practitioners can empower their clients and communities by combining occupatio

3 Questions Answered About Telehealth for Occupational Therapy

Who Benefits From Telehealth Occupational Therapy? People who may have experienced injuries such as a stroke, a brain injury, feeding disorders, upper extremity limb loss, and other neurological conditions have seen positive results from telehealth.

5 Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Seniors

Yes, you can! This blog post will tell you why. Telehealth and remote therapy options are becoming increasingly popular as the COVID-19 crisis continues. Seniors are among the most vulnerable people that could face fatal consequences of contracti

8 tips for better communication with patients

Research shows that a positive relationship between patient and clinician can improve therapy outcomes. How can clinicians improve communication with patients?

Activities to help with stroke recovery

In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, there are many activities that can help someone with stroke recovery. Physical therapy may be necessary for physical recovery, and equally important is exercising the brain. Here are some of the best ways t

An OT that went Digital

Dustin and Natalie met right before the shutdown. Since then, Natalie started to use HappyNeuron, and her clients are thrilled about it. In this snippet, she explains how they felt and their reactions when they were introduced to HappyNeuron Pro.

Anger and Traumatic Brain Injury

Many survivors of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often deal with feelings of anger and irritability after their injury. For some, these feelings of anger can range from mild to severe, and have been studied across different samples of people. Post-tr

Areas Of Cognition to Work On in the New Year

New Year’s resolutions are a great way to enter into a new mindset and achieve goals that improve your life. Why not help your clients set goals to improve their cognition this year? Setting goals together at the beginning of the year could help clie

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for Dementia from an Occupational Therapist Lens

Occupational therapists are instrumental in the care of people living with dementia.Occupational therapists have a holistic understanding of how cognitive functioning impacts activities of daily living. They can provide cognitive stimulation therapy

Digital exercises to improve processing speed

Processing speed refers to the amount of time it takes for a person to understand and respond to stimuli around them. Here are a few of the best exercises to improve processing speed.

Expert Advice – ADHD + TBI ?

Natalie is back with some expert advice about how to work with patients who have both ADHD and a TBI. If you love this video you MUST check out her entire interview found in the expert interviews today!

Expert Interview – Natalie Mackenzie

The day has finally arrived. This interview with Natalie is AMAZING! If you work in cognitive rehabilitation from TBIs this is a video you most definitely should like. Natalie Mackenzie has been working in Cognitive Rehabilitation since 2004. She ho

Frustrated Clients? take Natalie’s Advice

We love the work that BIS Services is doing for people in the United Kingdom. We especially love the advice Natalie has for working with patients who often get frustrated. Take a watch and let us know if you're going to try these techniques in the co

How a stroke can affect social cognition

The effects of a stroke can vary widely. For some, a stroke can affect social cognition and social behavior.

How Apraxia Ruins Morning Coffee

Did you know that damage to a person’s left hemisphere can change how they make coffee? Damage to the left hemisphere can cause a person to forget how to use a coffee machine, or even pick up a coffee cup. This cognitive problem is called apraxia.

How Legos can be a Cognitive Therapy Tool

‘Lego Therapy’ uses Legos to provide cognitive and emotional stimulation for people with Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. Using Legos, she carves out roles for each of her clients to fulfill: manager, supplier, and builder. Using these roles, Kitty

How to help patients improve sustained attention

You may have patients who struggle with different types of attention. One that proves difficult for many people is maintaining sustained attention. In this article, we'll discuss how to improve sustained attention skills.

How to Help Your Client Get Back to Work

Many people that experience a stroke, brain injury, or episode of psychosis have resulting cognitive complications. Many clients who have had a neurological accident or a psychotic episode can become unemployed and have trouble re-entering the workfo

How To Use HappyNeuron Pro for Stroke Rehabilitation

You may be wondering what exercises are available for stroke recovery, or how HappyNeuron Pro can be used to work with people who have had a stroke.

How Towers of Hanoi Teaches Critical Thinking Skills

The Towers of Hanoi is a well known executive function task that targets working memory, inhibition, and decision making. Our digital adaptation is a user favorite while working on critical thinking skills. In this blog post, we share with you how th

Natalie Mackenzie – BIS Services

Brain injuries are complex injuries. Heather Condello and her team of occupational therapists at Complex Injury Rehab - The Brain, Spine & Mental Health Clinic understand that. Heather and Ayushi, one of Heather's skilled OTs, sit down with Dustin an

School-Based Telepractice for Occupational Therapy

Administrating and supplying occupational therapy services within a school system is challenging. There are a lot of barriers to overcome that inhibit children from receiving proper care. With the advancement of technology, more and more children are

Setting Cognitive Goals for the New Year

Clinicians may want to work with clients on setting cognitive goals - these could be anything from feeling happier, to improving their attention or memory.

TBI in Children

TBI stands for traumatic brain injury, and occurs when one experiences damage to the brain. This type of damage is specific, and creates a disruption in the functioning of the brain. Not all injuries to the head are TBIs, but all TBIs are severe inju

The Necessity of Cognitive-Vocational Rehabilitation Programs for Mental Health Populations

Adults living with mental illness risk facing unemployment and poverty. Therapists are eager to address the psychological and cognitive needs of clients with severe mental illness in order to help them find employment and live independently. Little r

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Why you should limit the number of exercises available to your patients

When using HappyNeuron Pro, you have the option of limiting cognitive exercises visible to your patient. In fact, this is recommended! 

[Video] How to Encourage Patients to Complete Cognitive Rehabilitation

As the program lead for research in the Department of Psychiatry at UT Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Deb has been studying psychosis for a while. In this video, she explains how she uses HNPro and what she has learned from the experience. She is

[Video] Psychosis Research and HappyNeuron Pro

Cognitive rehabilitation programs, such as the NEAR program are being used all around the world. Check out how Debra Bushong, at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, is using HappyNeuron Pro within her psychosis treatment research.

[Video] TEDTalk – How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across A Lifetime

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is a Canadian-American pediatrician who assumed the position of Surgeon General of California in 2019. Dr. Harris is known for her work linking adverse childhood experiences to health outcomes. Her work currently focuses on ad

[Video] TEDTalk – The New Era of Positive Psychology

Professor Seligman has been teaching and studying psychology for many years. This Ted-talk is insightful and informative to anyone who wants to involve positive psychology in their practice. 

[Video] The Surprisingly Dramatic Role of Nutrition in Mental Health

Nutrition is one of the most underlooked factors contributing to mental health well-being. Researchers are beginning to understand the role of the mind-gut connection, and how the food we eat affects our behavior. Nutrition interventions offer promis

3 Cognitive Functions to Focus On With Depression

Depression impacts individuals not only emotionally, but cognitively. Research has shown that people living with depression experience cognitive deficits. They may suffer with executive functioning, memory, attention, and processing speed deficits th

3 Reasons Why You Should Treat Cognition As Part of Depression Therapy

When people are depressed, many seek psychotherapy to work on the emotional symptoms and ailments from their depression. However, people with depression also experience cognitive problems. Common cognitive problems resulting from depression include d

4 Tips for Future Therapists

Students studying to be mental health professionals are in good company. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is projected to grow 23% over the course of the next ten years.

5 Things You Didn’t Know About Depression in Men

Both men and women will experience depression at some point in their lifetime, but men experience depression differently than what is included in the current diagnostic criteria. In this blog post, we discuss 5 things that you may not know about depr

6 Ways to Help Kids Develop Executive Functioning Skills

Executive function refers to cognitive functions related to making plans and decisions and regulating behavior. Executive function skills are required for numerous tasks that can be completed every day, such as driving or walking to a destination, ke

8 tips for better communication with patients

Research shows that a positive relationship between patient and clinician can improve therapy outcomes. How can clinicians improve communication with patients?

8 tips to help clients with Seasonal Affective Disorder

During the winter months, many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a mood condition similar to Depression, but it specifically occurs during a certain time of year, typically the winter.

Areas Of Cognition to Work On in the New Year

New Year’s resolutions are a great way to enter into a new mindset and achieve goals that improve your life. Why not help your clients set goals to improve their cognition this year? Setting goals together at the beginning of the year could help clie

How a stroke can affect social cognition

The effects of a stroke can vary widely. For some, a stroke can affect social cognition and social behavior.

How do video games affect cognition?

With the ever-growing popularity of video games, there have been concerns about how they affect cognition, particularly for children and teens. Some primary concerns are whether video games may cause behavioral issues such as increased aggression. So

How Does Depression Affect Memory in Children?

Many children and adolescents experience depression. Symptoms of depression in children and adolescents include behavioral problems in school, changes in eating and sleeping habits, irritability, and lacking interest in things that typically bring jo

How Does Education Impact Depression?

Did you know that education may protect against memory impairment related to depression in older women? One study in Korea by Lee, Park, & Chey (2018) studied 29 women with less than 6 years of formal education and 49 women with more than 6 years

How Does Using Instagram Impact Mood?

In October 2010, a new social media app was launched that allowed users to connect by sharing photos. Fast forward to 2021, with roughly one billion users, Instagram has taken over the internet. The influence of social media has become a large part o

How schizophrenia affects social cognition

Impairment in social cognition is one of the main components of schizophrenia, and can deeply affect a patient’s ability to interact with the world. In this article, we’ll explore what social cognition is, how schizophrenia affects social cognition,

How Surprises Impact the Brain

The brain has its own unique way of responding to a surprising event or situation. When the brain wants you to pay attention to something, it will make sure you are aware of it. According to a new study by MIT, one way the brain does this is by sendi

How Therapy Can Assist Men

All around America, many individuals work through mental illness everyday. The National Institute of Mental Health stated that in 2019, around 20% of Americans dealt with mental illness. This equates to roughly 1 in 5 Americans, or 69.5 million peopl

How to help patients improve sustained attention

You may have patients who struggle with different types of attention. One that proves difficult for many people is maintaining sustained attention. In this article, we'll discuss how to improve sustained attention skills.

Let’s Talk About Post-Stroke Depression

Experiencing a stroke is a major life event. A stroke may cause someone to lose cognitive and physical abilities, such as not being able to communicate or use one side of their body. Depending on where the lesion occurs, some people may experience th

Missing the Punchline? How Schizophrenia Impacts Humor Comprehension

Schizophrenia causes cognitive problems including impaired attention, processing speed, working memory, language, reasoning, and social cognition. Apart from having a difficult time recognizing emotions in other people and responding appropriately, i

Setting Cognitive Goals for the New Year

Clinicians may want to work with clients on setting cognitive goals - these could be anything from feeling happier, to improving their attention or memory.

Spiderwebs and the Brain

With October 31st creeping up, we see more and more Halloween décor. Not only are people decorating with carved pumpkins and silly or spooky ghosts, but they are also putting up spiderwebs. Between real and decorative spiderwebs, webs seem to always

TEDTalk – How Important Relationships Can Decrease Anxiety & Depression

Social connection is a human need. Many people struggle with social connection and are at risk of isolation. Social connection can decrease anxiety and depression, as well as foster improved physical and mental health for people. Dr. Ruddock discusse

TEDTalk – The Riddle of Experience vs. Memory

Daniel Kahneman explains how memories influence our future. He explains how our memory can influence how we perceive what is going on in the world around us over time. His examples from vacations to colonoscopies make this Tedtalk an enjoyable time.

The Psychology of Ghosting

Ghosting has been defined as "the practice of ending a personal relationship with someone by suddenly and without explanation withdrawing from all communication". Once a rare phenomena, ghosting has permeated the dating and social world. About 50% of

Using Positive Psychology & Telehealth To Improve Mood in Older Adults

Humans need regular social interaction. With older populations, the risk of isolation increases as older adults tend to develop physical disabilities and cognitive impairment. Not being able to have regular social interactions can cause older adults

Vitamin D for Depression: How to Get More Vitamin D Daily

Depression during the cold winter months is common for northern countries, particularly in the northern United States and Canada. Clinically, low vitamin D levels have been linked to depression. Researchers have found that vitamin D supplementation m

What is Neuroplasticity, and why is it important?

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to modify connections and change its activity in response to stimuli, basically “re-wiring” itself. So, what does this mean?

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Where Does Fear Originate In The Brain?

One of the most spellbinding mysteries in psychology and neuroscience is the origin of fear. Fear is an essential emotion that is used to protect ourselves from implicit and explicit danger. For example, we may have an uneasy feeling about a situatio

Why you need sugar for a healthy brain

Sugar plays a crucial role in our brain health and cognitive function. However, too much can be detrimental to our health. So let’s break it down. What is the relationship between sugar and brain health, and how much is too much?

Why you should limit the number of exercises available to your patients

When using HappyNeuron Pro, you have the option of limiting cognitive exercises visible to your patient. In fact, this is recommended! 

Why You Should Provide Cognitive Remediation for Your Client with Major Depressive Disorder

Cognitive remediation therapy is a form of therapy that combines the practice of cognitive skills using digital cognitive therapy tools with hands-on practice that helps the client transfer practiced cognitive skills to the real world. Cognitive reme

3 HappyNeuron Pro Exercises For Aphasia

Are you working with people that have aphasia? Here are three HappyNeuron Pro exercises for aphasia that you can use with your clients today!

3 Ways SLPs Are Involved In Alzheimer’s Disease Care

Alzheimer’s disease is a debilitating neurological disease that occurs when plaques build up within the brain tissue. As the disease progresses, cognitive function declines. While SLPs are traditionally thought to work with only speech and language,

4 Things to Know to Create a Successful Speech Therapy Telepractice

Building a successful speech therapy telepractice sounds tough. In Grillo’s 2018 guide Building a Successful Voice Telepractice Program, we found 4 key factors to consider that relate to setting up a speech telepractice that we elaborate upon that ca

8 tips for better communication with patients

Research shows that a positive relationship between patient and clinician can improve therapy outcomes. How can clinicians improve communication with patients?

Activities to help with stroke recovery

In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, there are many activities that can help someone with stroke recovery. Physical therapy may be necessary for physical recovery, and equally important is exercising the brain. Here are some of the best ways t

Areas Of Cognition to Work On in the New Year

New Year’s resolutions are a great way to enter into a new mindset and achieve goals that improve your life. Why not help your clients set goals to improve their cognition this year? Setting goals together at the beginning of the year could help clie

Can Intensive Speech & Language Therapy Improve Language in Aphasia Patients Post-Stroke?

Aphasia commonly occurs after someone experiences a stroke. When a closed head injury occurs in the left hemisphere, a person may lose the ability to produce and understand language. Commonly, people think of aphasia as Broca’s aphasia, where a perso

Does it Work? – Telepractice for Adult Speech Therapy

The short answer is yes. But why?  Telepractice is the practice of therapeutic services via telephone and or internet communication devices. Worldwide, speech and language pathologists have begun to see the benefits of adapting telepractice servic

From Grunts to Words, How Language Works Explained by Gifs

Language is a cognitive skill that we all use to communicate and interact with the world around us. Words are connected in meaningful patterns to form logical sentences or syntax. In this blog post, we outline the three components that makeup and exp

How a stroke can affect social cognition

The effects of a stroke can vary widely. For some, a stroke can affect social cognition and social behavior.

How an Aerobic Workout May Help To Improve Neurological Rehabilitation

Aerobic exercise has been studied extensively for its physical, mental, and cognitive health benefits. Of interest is how often physical therapists may prescribe an aerobic exercise regimen for their clients with neurological disorders. The utilizati

How and Why You Need to Start an Aphasia Support Group

Aphasia is a devastating result of a stroke that can impair a person’s ability to produce and understand language. Aphasia is life-changing, and routine tasks become challenging. Communication is a socially dependent skill and relies heavily on the l

How Do SLPs help MVA Patients

SLPs are involved in the recovery process of clients with different medical conditions. In acquired brain injury through a motor vehicle accident, damage to the brain may result in trouble speaking due to physical injuries, difficulty swallowing, and

How SLPs Help Stroke Patients with Aphasia

Speech-language pathologists (SLP’s) play a huge role in stroke rehabilitation. Strokes often cause aphasia. Aphasia can present as a loss of language or as having difficulty comprehending speech. SLP’s may help patients with stroke not only speak bu

Resources for new SLP graduates

Although you already have a wealth of knowledge from your studies, having additional websites, software, and books for further education and support will always be helpful. With this in mind, here are a few of our favorite resources for new SLP gradu

Setting Cognitive Goals for the New Year

Clinicians may want to work with clients on setting cognitive goals - these could be anything from feeling happier, to improving their attention or memory.

Should Your Child Read More?

What is the difference between a child who reads for pleasure at home and a child who doesn’t? Recent studies have shown that those who read for pleasure have an increased rate of learning. The British Cohort Study, which followed more than 17,000 pe

The Complex Skill of Language

What is Language? While many complex definitions exist, language is the way that people communicate. In a language, words are connected in meaningful patterns to form logical sentences (syntax). The smallest component of language is a morphe

What 3 Cognitive Components Should You Work On For Aphasia?

Aphasia is a condition that reflects the loss of language. Depending on the nature of aphasia, a person may have trouble producing and/or understanding language. Some people with aphasia may not understand spoken language but are able to understand w

What is Aphasia

Experiencing a stroke can result in many different kinds of cognitive conditions. The most well-known condition resulting from a stroke is called aphasia. Aphasia is the loss of language. Aphasia is a condition that can cause someone to not be able

What is Broca’s Aphasia?

When someone has a stroke on the left side of their brain, they may have difficulty producing speech. This condition is known as Broca's aphasia. Many people encounter those with Broca's aphasia but do not understand what it is. In this blog post, we

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Why Mary Ann assigns Home Exercises

Mary Ann has a voluminous amount of information to share for SLPs who work with TBI patients. In this mini segment, she discusses how and why she uses the home exercise feature of HappyNeuron Pro.

Why you should limit the number of exercises available to your patients

When using HappyNeuron Pro, you have the option of limiting cognitive exercises visible to your patient. In fact, this is recommended! 

[Video] Concussions and Why You Should Care

Concussions impact all aspects of a child’s life. Kyra’s background in neurotrauma has set her apart in her field. Kyra explains how and why she cares about educating people about concussions. Concussions do impact a child’s ability to learn and Kyr

[Video] Concussions in the Classroom

This will be the best, most informative 35 minutes of your day. Concussions are more frequent than many people realize. Kyra's 25 years working with TBI has allowed her to experience many different severities and types of concussions. She is well inf

[Video] Social Goals within Cognitive Remediation

Gregg's insight into how social goals and cognitive functioning are related is valuable to understanding the importance of social cognition within cognitive rehabilitation goals.

[Video] TEDTalk – Failing at Normal: An ADHD Success Story

Jessica McCabe is an adult who struggled with ADHD as a child into her adulthood. After battling the impacts of ADHD in her own life, she became an ADHD educator to help people living with ADHD as well as parents, friends, teachers, and other peers u

[Video] TEDTalk – How Childhood Trauma Affects Health Across A Lifetime

Dr. Nadine Burke Harris is a Canadian-American pediatrician who assumed the position of Surgeon General of California in 2019. Dr. Harris is known for her work linking adverse childhood experiences to health outcomes. Her work currently focuses on ad

[Video] TEDTalk – How to live passionately – no matter your age

Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor's unique research and medical background makes her Tedtalk extremely insightful.  Before she experienced her stroke she was working in a lab that was focused on mapping out the brain. Their goal was to figure out which cells com

[Video] TEDTalk – The Power of Play

In 1996, Vialet launched Playworks with two schools in Berkeley, California. Currently, the organization brings play and physical activities to children across the country, with offices in 23 cities. With a staff of 700, this year Playworks will reac

[Video] TEDTalk – Why do our bodies age?

It's a question we all have and Ted Educator Monica Menesini explains it so well. Our average age as humans is set at 90 years old and yet we have some people that celebrate triple-digit birthdays. So what does this all mean for us humans? What facto

[Video] The Surprisingly Dramatic Role of Nutrition in Mental Health

Nutrition is one of the most underlooked factors contributing to mental health well-being. Researchers are beginning to understand the role of the mind-gut connection, and how the food we eat affects our behavior. Nutrition interventions offer promis

[Video] What to do When Your Child is Diagnosed as “Fine”

Parents take their children for assessments when their child is thought to have a learning disability. Too often, children are diagnosed as "fine". This diagnosis is troubling as "fine" does not describe the cognitive complications a child may be exp

3 Activities for Bridging

One of the greatest challenges in cognitive rehabilitation therapy is helping your client connect their practice of cognitive skills to their daily life. This is where bridging comes in. Bridging is the process by which therapists and clients work to

3 HappyNeuron Pro Exercises For Aphasia

Are you working with people that have aphasia? Here are three HappyNeuron Pro exercises for aphasia that you can use with your clients today!

3 ways that pets can improve cognitive health for older adults

Whether you’re a cat or a dog person, here’s some good news! A recent study shows that owning pets improve cognitive health for adults over the age of 65. 

3 Ways to Help Your Client Manage Holiday Stress

The holiday season can be very stressful for people with and without cognitive impairment alike. Luckily, there are some things that you can do to help your client make their holiday season manageable and enjoyable. In this blog post, we share with y

4 Cognitive Benefits For Kids on Halloween

Halloween: the best day of play each year for kids all across the country. How could kids not love it with dressing up, running around with friends, and candy all involved? With the excitement and stimulation of the holiday, kids' brains are developi

4 Reasons Why Older Adults Should Do Cognitive Training

Many activity directors and nursing home staff seek ways to provide services for their elderly clients. One important service that needs to be offered for elderly people is cognitive training. Cognitive training has been researched for its potential

4 Therapy Approaches to Help Older Adults Manage Their Health

Many older adults live with chronic health conditions. Cognitive training may help older adults develop cognitive skills that they can use to manage their health more independently. Being able to manage personal health can provide older adults a sens

4 Tips for Future Therapists

Students studying to be mental health professionals are in good company. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the field is projected to grow 23% over the course of the next ten years.

5 Benefits of Occupational Therapy for Seniors

Yes, you can! This blog post will tell you why. Telehealth and remote therapy options are becoming increasingly popular as the COVID-19 crisis continues. Seniors are among the most vulnerable people that could face fatal consequences of contracti

5 Simple Ways To Boost Your Brain Power

The importance of cognitive flexibility is that it can help adapt our behaviors and thought processes. The COVID-19 pandemic has been hard on everyone, a time that has come with much uncertainty and change. When people face obstacles, cognitive flexi

5 Things to Know About ADHD

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is more than just a behavior problem. Research has unveiled that genetic, environmental, and neuropsychological factors impact behaviors associated with the disorder. Here are the 5 most important thing

5 Tips to Date Successfully Over 50

Love doesn’t stop with age. While you may not be in your 20’s anymore, dating when you are older can be even more exciting. Here are 5 tips to date successfully when you are over 50!

5 Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy

Your brain needs proteins, carbohydrates, fats and minerals in order to function properly. Medical professionals suggest eating fish such as salmon which contains omega-3 fatty acids for brain healthy protein and fat. Loading up on green vegetables s

6 Ways to Help Kids Develop Executive Functioning Skills

Executive function refers to cognitive functions related to making plans and decisions and regulating behavior. Executive function skills are required for numerous tasks that can be completed every day, such as driving or walking to a destination, ke

7 Myths about Dyslexia

With dyslexia being labeled as a learning disability, there are many misconceptions and myths about dyslexia. With recent research, there is more information and a better understanding of dyslexia than ever before! To better understand and help a lov

8 tips for better communication with patients

Research shows that a positive relationship between patient and clinician can improve therapy outcomes. How can clinicians improve communication with patients?

8 tips to help clients with Seasonal Affective Disorder

During the winter months, many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a mood condition similar to Depression, but it specifically occurs during a certain time of year, typically the winter.

Activities to help with stroke recovery

In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, there are many activities that can help someone with stroke recovery. Physical therapy may be necessary for physical recovery, and equally important is exercising the brain. Here are some of the best ways t

Anger and Traumatic Brain Injury

Many survivors of traumatic brain injuries (TBI) often deal with feelings of anger and irritability after their injury. For some, these feelings of anger can range from mild to severe, and have been studied across different samples of people. Post-tr

Areas Of Cognition to Work On in the New Year

New Year’s resolutions are a great way to enter into a new mindset and achieve goals that improve your life. Why not help your clients set goals to improve their cognition this year? Setting goals together at the beginning of the year could help clie

Can Depression Cause Cognitive Decline?

We know that mental health plays an important role in our physical and cognitive health in the present, but it also may impact us later in life. Depression is a common psychological disorder that everyone will experience at some point in their lifeti

Can Learning a Complex Skill Make Simpler Tasks Easier?

Therapists must often make important decisions regarding how they spend therapy hours with their clients. This involves choosing the kinds of activities their clients will do and the complexity of the activities. Research has shown that performing co

Cognitive Strategies for Eating Healthy During the Holidays

The holidays mean it's time for some delicious holiday meals. However, many holiday favorites are loaded with extra sugar, fat, and carbohydrates that can leave us feeling sluggish. While food quantity choices rely on satiation, thirst, and hunger le

Dementia Care in First Nations Elderly

For years, researchers and medical professionals have studied the outcomes of brain injury care in order to identify critical factors that influence a patient’s recovery. Two such factors that have been examined to contribute to this include race and

Digital exercises to improve processing speed

Processing speed refers to the amount of time it takes for a person to understand and respond to stimuli around them. Here are a few of the best exercises to improve processing speed.

Do I Say, “Special Needs” or “Disability”?

This is a question that gets asked often.  These terms have felt for years to be interchangeable, but are they?  The answer to that is, no.  Referring to someone as “special needs, retarded, or slow” is no longer politically correct. The proper

Does social media impact brain development for kids and adolescents?

Social media has become more popular than ever. Many kids are frequently online, which worries some parents, teachers, and clinicians. You may wonder, can social media impact brain development for kids and adolescents?

Frustrated Clients? take Natalie’s Advice

We love the work that BIS Services is doing for people in the United Kingdom. We especially love the advice Natalie has for working with patients who often get frustrated. Take a watch and let us know if you're going to try these techniques in the co

Here’s Why You Should Provide Telehealth Services for Your Elderly Clients

Providing telehealth services for elderly people is becoming a growing clinical interest. Older people have growing service needs and may not be able to access in person services due to health, transportation, and support caretaker availability barri

How a stroke can affect social cognition

The effects of a stroke can vary widely. For some, a stroke can affect social cognition and social behavior.

how Children Perform Differently on Computerized Neurocognitive Assessments

With the advancements of technology, neuropsychological assessments have been adapted to be done on a computer. Neuropsychologists and other clinical providers are interested in the effects of using these computerized neuropsychological assessments a

How Dancing With The Fireflies Targets Visual Attention

Do you have an eye for detail? If you do and even if you don’t and want to develop one, you can work on your visual attention skills using HappyNeuron Pro’s exercises. One of our most popular visual attention exercises is Dancing with the Fireflies.

How Digital Tools Can Transform Learning Math

Many children struggle to learn and understand mathematics. Current math instruction focuses on memorizing abstract rules. While knowledge of mathematical concepts is important, many children are not able to grasp these abstract concepts. This is in

How Do Childrens’ Friendships Impact Their Cognition?

Childrens’ friendships impact not only their social development but also their cognitive development. In fact, researchers have found that there are differences between female-female, male-female, and male-male child friendships on cognition. In this

How do different environmental conditions impact cognition?

In everyday life, we experience changes in temperature and altitude. Depending on what jobs or hobbies we have, we may be exposed to extreme environmental conditions, such as high altitude. Depending on what environmental conditions we are exposed to

How Do I Help My Client Make Friends?

Let’s face it, making friends can be super challenging for children and adults. When a person has cognitive impairment, connecting with others can feel like an almost impossible task. Fear not, it is possible to have friends even with cognitive impai

How Does ADHD Impact Friendships in Children?

ADHD impacts people throughout their lifespan. For children, ADHD can cause a child to have difficulty focusing during class, keeping track of assignments and their due dates, blurt out responses to questions before they have been completed, and talk

How Does Brain Injury Impact American Indian and Alaska Native Children?

For years, researchers and medical professionals have studied the outcomes of brain injury care in order to identify critical factors that influence a patient’s recovery. Two such factors that have been examined to contribute to this include race and

How does Cognitive Training Impact Mood?

Natalie MacKenzie, MSc, CPCRT, CBIST, from BIS Services, talked with Dustin about how her patients feel about cognitive training and how it affects their moods. She also explains how she uses our digital tool in her practice to better understand what

How Does Dyslexia Impact Learning Strategies and Study Approaches in Post-secondary Students?

Dyslexia is a lifelong learning disability. Often diagnosed in childhood, children with dyslexia have substantial difficulty with reading in comparison to their peers. In adulthood, these reading difficulties may persist. Little is known about how dy

How Does Mathematics Anxiety Impair Mathematical Abilities?

Society requires us to have adequate ability to perform mathematical calculations. Life events, such as buying a home or even comparing prices of items within a store, require working knowledge of mathematics. In childhood, many children have difficu

How Does Stress Impact Working Memory in Older People?

Older People Are Less Sensitive to the Effects of Stress on Working Memory Than Younger People. Here’s Why. Much research has been conducted on the effects of acute stress on working memory in younger people, but little research has been done on how

How Does Using Instagram Impact Mood?

In October 2010, a new social media app was launched that allowed users to connect by sharing photos. Fast forward to 2021, with roughly one billion users, Instagram has taken over the internet. The influence of social media has become a large part o

How Menopause May Affect Memory

When a woman reaches her late 40s or 50s, a natural decline in reproductive hormones begins the cycle of menopause. After 12 months without a menstrual cycle, a woman is officially in the state of menopause. During this uncomfortable time many experi

How pretend play helps children develop social cognition

If you work with children or have children of your own, you’re probably very familiar with pretend play. This refers to any play where children adopt an idea that differs from reality.

How schizophrenia affects social cognition

Impairment in social cognition is one of the main components of schizophrenia, and can deeply affect a patient’s ability to interact with the world. In this article, we’ll explore what social cognition is, how schizophrenia affects social cognition,

How taking a walk may improve social cognition

Research suggests that physical activity has a strong connection with our social cognition. How much does exercise improve social cognition?

How Therapy Can Assist Men

All around America, many individuals work through mental illness everyday. The National Institute of Mental Health stated that in 2019, around 20% of Americans dealt with mental illness. This equates to roughly 1 in 5 Americans, or 69.5 million peopl

How to Combat Social Isolation with Cognitive Activities

It may feel bleak to enter 2021 still with social distancing rules and regulations occurring. Many people have been feeling the effects of social isolation as they try and stay safe following local guidelines. To help stimulate your client’s brain, h

How to encourage student motivation

To help encourage student motivation, try these techniques backed by cognitive science!

How to Get Better at Accepting Change: As Told By GIFs

Let’s face it, change can be scary. Children and adults alike have trouble accepting change. However, there are some ways you can make change less scary, and perhaps somewhat more exciting.

How to help patients improve sustained attention

You may have patients who struggle with different types of attention. One that proves difficult for many people is maintaining sustained attention. In this article, we'll discuss how to improve sustained attention skills.

How to help students cope with visual overstimulation in the classroom

Visual overstimulation occurs when one’s surroundings are too visually stimulating, causing overwhelm and distraction.

How to measure short-term goals in cognitive therapy

In rehabilitation and therapy settings, clinicians typically track progress on a regular basis by setting goals with patients. This is helpful in order to see how the patient is progressing in a quantifiable way and to analyze whether the best method

How To Use HappyNeuron Pro for Stroke Rehabilitation

You may be wondering what exercises are available for stroke recovery, or how HappyNeuron Pro can be used to work with people who have had a stroke.

How Towers of Hanoi Teaches Critical Thinking Skills

The Towers of Hanoi is a well known executive function task that targets working memory, inhibition, and decision making. Our digital adaptation is a user favorite while working on critical thinking skills. In this blog post, we share with you how th

How Vision Loss Can Affect the Brain

It is no surprise that vision loss is a part of aging. Years of evidence show that with growing age, the brain works harder to see. Recent evidence suggests that along with a decline in vision comes a decline in other cognitive functions such as lang

Improving Older Adults’ Mood with Food

The role of nutrition on brain health is a growing area of research. In elderly people, little research has been conducted on dietary patterns. But that doesn’t mean the dietary patterns from younger individuals cannot be implemented into older adult

LOL: The Neuroscience of Humor

Through television shows, memes, tweets and conversation, people are finding ways to make others laugh. With witty puns and tactful punchlines, people experience "AHA!" moments that then cause them to chuckle. Our brains are able to parse images, tex

Older Individuals May Find Peace Among Greenery

For many people, being around “green space”, such as grass, plants, forests, and more, is just a factor of their everyday life. However, recent studies have shown that greenery exposure may benefit middle-aged individuals.

Research shows that cognitive stimulation may alleviate cognitive decline in older adults

More and more research is showing the benefits of cognitive stimulation. A new study shows the benefits of cognitive games in mitigating cognitive decline in older adults.

Resources for new SLP graduates

Although you already have a wealth of knowledge from your studies, having additional websites, software, and books for further education and support will always be helpful. With this in mind, here are a few of our favorite resources for new SLP gradu

School-Based Telepractice for Occupational Therapy

Administrating and supplying occupational therapy services within a school system is challenging. There are a lot of barriers to overcome that inhibit children from receiving proper care. With the advancement of technology, more and more children are

Setting Cognitive Goals for the New Year

Clinicians may want to work with clients on setting cognitive goals - these could be anything from feeling happier, to improving their attention or memory.

Should Your Child Read More?

What is the difference between a child who reads for pleasure at home and a child who doesn’t? Recent studies have shown that those who read for pleasure have an increased rate of learning. The British Cohort Study, which followed more than 17,000 pe

Swimming as a Positive Moderator of Cognitive Aging

We know that aerobic exercise provides many physical and psychological health benefits. Some of these benefits are so valuable, that therapists working with patients that have cognitive impairment may want to consider encouraging their clients to exe

TBI in Children

TBI stands for traumatic brain injury, and occurs when one experiences damage to the brain. This type of damage is specific, and creates a disruption in the functioning of the brain. Not all injuries to the head are TBIs, but all TBIs are severe inju

TEDTalk – How Important Relationships Can Decrease Anxiety & Depression

Social connection is a human need. Many people struggle with social connection and are at risk of isolation. Social connection can decrease anxiety and depression, as well as foster improved physical and mental health for people. Dr. Ruddock discusse

Tedtalk – The Benefits of a Good Night’s Sleep

Have you ever heard the phrase “sleep on it” and wondered to yourself will sleep truly help? In Shai Marcus TedTalk original lesson, he explains the scientific evidence that sleeping on it really works. Through a good night's sleep, memory consolidat

TEDTalk – The Riddle of Experience vs. Memory

Daniel Kahneman explains how memories influence our future. He explains how our memory can influence how we perceive what is going on in the world around us over time. His examples from vacations to colonoscopies make this Tedtalk an enjoyable time.

The Complex Skill of Language

What is Language? While many complex definitions exist, language is the way that people communicate. In a language, words are connected in meaningful patterns to form logical sentences (syntax). The smallest component of language is a morphe

The Effect of Aerobic Exercise on Cognition, Academic Achievement, and Psychosocial Function in Children

Parents are often concerned about their child’s activity level, as many children do not get enough physical activity or playtime. Regular physical activity, particularly aerobic exercise, has been shown to promote neurogenesis in the brain which in t

The Importance of Praise in Parenting a Child with ADHD

Many experts including Dr. William Dodson estimate that children with ADHD on average receive 20,000 more negative messages than other children. The importance of giving praise can’t be overestimated. Kids with ADHD need our feedback to be motivati

The Key Differences Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s

There is a common misconception that dementia and Alzheimer’s are two separate conditions, however this isn’t exactly the case.

The Necessity of Cognitive-Vocational Rehabilitation Programs for Mental Health Populations

Adults living with mental illness risk facing unemployment and poverty. Therapists are eager to address the psychological and cognitive needs of clients with severe mental illness in order to help them find employment and live independently. Little r

The Online Brain: How the Internet Changes Our Cognition

Today, we scroll through hundreds of pieces of digital content a day, and for some people, thousands. The internet has changed the way we communicate, do business, socialize, learn - overall how we live as a society. When people perform an activity c

The Teenage Brain: How Can Parents, Teachers, and Therapists Help Teens Succeed

Real Advice From a Real Therapist We spoke with Kyra Minichan, head therapist of The Cognitive Emporium on how parents, teachers, and therapists can help teenagers succeed in school and in life. Kyra is a speech-language pathologist with a mast

The Three Components of Working Memory

Working memory is a multifaceted cognitive function that allows us to retain and manipulate incoming information for a short period of time. We use working memory when we have to remember a phone number, follow a conversation with a friend, and when

Using Positive Psychology & Telehealth To Improve Mood in Older Adults

Humans need regular social interaction. With older populations, the risk of isolation increases as older adults tend to develop physical disabilities and cognitive impairment. Not being able to have regular social interactions can cause older adults

What 3 Cognitive Components Should You Work On For Aphasia?

Aphasia is a condition that reflects the loss of language. Depending on the nature of aphasia, a person may have trouble producing and/or understanding language. Some people with aphasia may not understand spoken language but are able to understand w

What Are Concussions?

Many people have known someone who has or has personally experienced a concussion. Concussions are prevalent, but people often do not know what exactly they are. In this blog post, we discuss what concussions are and what can be done about them.

What Are The Long-Term Effects of Cognitive Training in Older Adults?

Researchers and managed care professionals are very interested in the long-term effects of cognitive training in older adults. Older adults seek out ways to improve their cognitive functioning in regards to working memory, processing speed, language

What is a Dyslexic Brain?

Dyslexia is classified as a learning disability that affects an individual’s ability to read, spell, write, and speak. It is often known for causing poor reading skills. A key sign of dyslexia is trouble decoding words (matching letters to sounds) an

What is an eHelper?

An eHelper is a person who serves as a facilitator for telepractice delivered therapy. The eHelper serves to eliminate the barriers that inhibit a student from receiving therapy by facilitating the connection between a student and a therapist.  eHelp

What is an Intellectual Disability?

Before diving deep into what is an intellectual disability, it is best to explain what it is not. Intellectual disabilities are not mental illnesses, like depression, there is no cure for intellectual disabilities and it is not contagious. An intelle

What is Broca’s Aphasia?

When someone has a stroke on the left side of their brain, they may have difficulty producing speech. This condition is known as Broca's aphasia. Many people encounter those with Broca's aphasia but do not understand what it is. In this blog post, we

What is Mild Cognitive Impairment?

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) refers to diminished cognitive functioning in later age. It is in between a normal cognitive functioning and that lowered cognitive functions such as the kind seen in people with dementia. Mild cognitive impairment aff

What is Neuroplasticity, and why is it important?

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to modify connections and change its activity in response to stimuli, basically “re-wiring” itself. So, what does this mean?

What is Social Cognition?

Social cognition is the way that people think about themselves and how they relate to others. The term came about during the “cognitive revolution”. Social psychologists Albert Bandura, Stanley Millgram, and Philip Zimbardo wanted to change the way p

What Is The Connection Between Hearing And Cognitive Decline?

While hearing loss limits one’s ability to hear sounds coming from the environment, it may also contribute to cognitive decline and auditory processing.

How taking a walk may improve social cognition

Research suggests that physical activity has a strong connection with our social cognition. How much does exercise improve social cognition?

How to help patients improve sustained attention

You may have patients who struggle with different types of attention. One that proves difficult for many people is maintaining sustained attention. In this article, we'll discuss how to improve sustained attention skills.

8 tips for better communication with patients

Research shows that a positive relationship between patient and clinician can improve therapy outcomes. How can clinicians improve communication with patients?

How do video games affect cognition?

With the ever-growing popularity of video games, there have been concerns about how they affect cognition, particularly for children and teens. Some primary concerns are whether video games may cause behavioral issues such as increased aggression. So

What is the difference between intrinsic and extrinsic motivation?

Does social media impact brain development for kids and adolescents?

Social media has become more popular than ever. Many kids are frequently online, which worries some parents, teachers, and clinicians. You may wonder, can social media impact brain development for kids and adolescents?

8 tips to help clients with Seasonal Affective Disorder

During the winter months, many people experience Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD). This is a mood condition similar to Depression, but it specifically occurs during a certain time of year, typically the winter.

How schizophrenia affects social cognition

Impairment in social cognition is one of the main components of schizophrenia, and can deeply affect a patient’s ability to interact with the world. In this article, we’ll explore what social cognition is, how schizophrenia affects social cognition,

How pretend play helps children develop social cognition

If you work with children or have children of your own, you’re probably very familiar with pretend play. This refers to any play where children adopt an idea that differs from reality.

How a stroke can affect social cognition

The effects of a stroke can vary widely. For some, a stroke can affect social cognition and social behavior.

3 ways that pets can improve cognitive health for older adults

Whether you’re a cat or a dog person, here’s some good news! A recent study shows that owning pets improve cognitive health for adults over the age of 65. 

Research shows that cognitive stimulation may alleviate cognitive decline in older adults

More and more research is showing the benefits of cognitive stimulation. A new study shows the benefits of cognitive games in mitigating cognitive decline in older adults.

Digital exercises to improve processing speed

Processing speed refers to the amount of time it takes for a person to understand and respond to stimuli around them. Here are a few of the best exercises to improve processing speed.

Why you should limit the number of exercises available to your patients

When using HappyNeuron Pro, you have the option of limiting cognitive exercises visible to your patient. In fact, this is recommended! 

Activities to help with stroke recovery

In addition to a healthy diet and exercise, there are many activities that can help someone with stroke recovery. Physical therapy may be necessary for physical recovery, and equally important is exercising the brain. Here are some of the best ways t

How To Use HappyNeuron Pro for Stroke Rehabilitation

You may be wondering what exercises are available for stroke recovery, or how HappyNeuron Pro can be used to work with people who have had a stroke.

Why you need sugar for a healthy brain

Sugar plays a crucial role in our brain health and cognitive function. However, too much can be detrimental to our health. So let’s break it down. What is the relationship between sugar and brain health, and how much is too much?

What is Neuroplasticity, and why is it important?

Neuroplasticity is the brain’s ability to modify connections and change its activity in response to stimuli, basically “re-wiring” itself. So, what does this mean?

How to measure short-term goals in cognitive therapy

In rehabilitation and therapy settings, clinicians typically track progress on a regular basis by setting goals with patients. This is helpful in order to see how the patient is progressing in a quantifiable way and to analyze whether the best method

How to encourage student motivation

To help encourage student motivation, try these techniques backed by cognitive science!

Areas Of Cognition to Work On in the New Year

New Year’s resolutions are a great way to enter into a new mindset and achieve goals that improve your life. Why not help your clients set goals to improve their cognition this year? Setting goals together at the beginning of the year could help clie

Setting Cognitive Goals for the New Year

Clinicians may want to work with clients on setting cognitive goals - these could be anything from feeling happier, to improving their attention or memory.

The Key Differences Between Dementia and Alzheimer’s

There is a common misconception that dementia and Alzheimer’s are two separate conditions, however this isn’t exactly the case.

3 HappyNeuron Pro Exercises For Aphasia

Are you working with people that have aphasia? Here are three HappyNeuron Pro exercises for aphasia that you can use with your clients today!

How to help students cope with visual overstimulation in the classroom

Visual overstimulation occurs when one’s surroundings are too visually stimulating, causing overwhelm and distraction.