TFCC: 006: We love our bread, we love our butter, but most of all we love task analysis.
Hi Subscriber First Name,
Welcome to week 6 of The Functional Cognition Chronicles!
If you missed last week’s issue, we explored reducing daily decisions can really be impactful for storing information for people with cognitive barriers. You can read and find more resources in the blog post.
Task Analysis: A Key Tool for Assessing Functional Cognition
In today’s issue, we’re stepping back to discuss one of the most valuable tools in occupational therapy: task analysis—and how it helps us assess functional cognition.
You’re probably already familiar with task analysis from a physical perspective. For example, when someone has difficulty with showering, we break down the tasks involved in the occupation—how they transfer in and out, balance, turn taps, safely dry off, and so on. The same approach applies when assessing cognitive functioning in an occupation-based assessment.
What Is Task Analysis?
In occupational therapy, task analysis involves breaking down an activity into its component steps to assess the physical, cognitive, and emotional skills required to complete it. This method allows us to observe where a person encounters difficulties and identify which cognitive functions—such as attention, memory, information processing, or executive functioning—are contributing to the challenges.
By selecting multi-step tasks that align with the client’s reported barriers, we gain valuable insights into their cognitive functioning. Task analysis reveals how various cognitive processes work together (or don’t) to complete daily activities.
Functional Cognition Assessment: Just Like Physical Barriers
Think of functional cognition assessment as the cognitive counterpart to assessing physical barriers. Just as we evaluate someone’s ability to transfer or their range of motion, we also assess how they think through and execute tasks. The key cognitive domains include:
Attention: Can the person remain focused from start to finish, or do distractions derail them? Attention is essential for managing multi-step activities.
Information Processing: How quickly and accurately can they interpret and act on information? Are they able to follow instructions or sequences without feeling lost or overwhelmed?
Memory: Can they recall the steps and important details of a task? Do they forget critical elements, like turning off the stove after cooking or remembering why they started a task?
Executive Functioning: Can the person plan, organise, and problem-solve? Do they struggle with figuring out the best way to approach a task, or how to adjust when things don’t go as planned?
Task Analysis in Action: Meal Preparation as an Example
Let’s use meal preparation as one example. A client might say, “I used to love cooking, but now it feels overwhelming. I keep forgetting things or burning the food.”
In this case, you could analyse their meal preparation task by observing each cognitive step (not exhaustive and tailored to the client’s presentation):
Planning: Do they choose a recipe and check if they have all the ingredients before starting?
Sequencing: Can they follow the recipe step-by-step, or do they lose track of where they are?
Attention: Can they stay focused on cooking, or are they distracted by noise, their phone, or other stimuli in the kitchen?
Problem-solving: What happens if something goes wrong, like realising they’re missing an ingredient? Can they adapt and continue, or do they feel stuck?
Through task analysis, we can identify which cognitive functions are contributing to difficulties—not just in meal prep but in any occupation, whether it’s getting out of bed or community participation.
Why Is Task Analysis So Important?
Functional cognition assessments provide us with a deeper understanding of how cognitive abilities impact a person’s ability to engage in meaningful daily activities. By using task analysis, we can:
Pinpoint specific barriers: Rather than making assumptions, we can see exactly where the cognitive process breaks down.
Tailor interventions: Once we understand which cognitive functions are affected, we can design personalised interventions that directly support the client’s needs.
Track progress: Task analysis allows us to objectively measure improvements over time. By repeating the same task after an intervention, we can evaluate success and make necessary adjustments.
A Holistic View of Functional Cognition
Task analysis isn’t just about identifying individual barriers; it’s about seeing the whole picture. A functional cognition assessment examines how attention, memory, problem-solving, and more interact. It provides a holistic view of how someone navigates their daily world. Use your skills as an Occupational therapist to breakdown those occupations to get to the bottom of the barriers.
If you’re interested in exploring how functional cognition impacts meal preparation specifically, I have a Meal Prep Guide available for purchase. This guide includes a detailed assessments and interventions for clients facing cognitive challenges.
