International Journal of Disability, Development and

Education

ISSN: 1034-912X (Print) 1465-346X (Online) Journal homepage: http://www.tandfonline.com/loi/cijd20

Cognitive Communication Disorders

Lauren Sperotto

To cite this article: Lauren Sperotto (2017) Cognitive Communication Disorders,

International Journal of Disability, Development and Education, 64:5, 568-569, DOI:
10.1080/1034912X.2017.1363964

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2017.1363964

Published online: 10 Aug 2017.

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 568   BOOK REVIEWS

impairment. As the author stresses, there needs to be a move away from identifying impairment
as a disability which positions it as the indomitable genesis of mental health distress.

Julie Yamanashi
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
julie.yamanashi@uqconnect.edu.au
© 2017 Julie Yamanashi
https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2017.1363969

Cognitive Communication Disorders (2nd ed.), edited by M. L. Kimbarow, San

Diego, CA, Plural Publishing Inc., 2016, 277 pp. + Appendices + Index, US$104.95
Downloaded by [University of Florida] at 19:03 29 October 2017

(paperback), ISBN 978-1-59756-548-6

Research in neuroscience has expanded significantly in recent years. The advances in neuroscience
are advancing the understanding of the functioning mechanisms of the brain and furthering the
understanding of cognitive degeneration. The developments within the field neuroscience are
having a spill-on effect into other arenas, in which the increased understanding of the brain helps
realms, such as education, medicine and carers alike, to better provide for the needs of those
who are affected by neurodisorders. Kimbarow’s revised edition capitalises on the advanced
understanding of the brain to provide his reworked second edition of Cognitive Communication
Disorders. The initial version of the book was relevant to instructors, students and clinicians, alike.
The second version is equally as relevant for these practitioners with the additional depth of the
most recent neuroscience research relating to each section.
The logical flow of chapters creates a flow of ideas for the reader and enhances the overall read-
ability of the book; making the content both easy to understand and accessible for the audience.
Kimbarow has maintained the original structure of the book, with the first three chapters provid-
ing a detailed understanding of the cognitive systems needed for communication. Following the
thorough analysis of the brain’s functions of communication is an examination of the intersect of
cognition and communication. The final chapters focus on damage to and deterioration of the
brain; paying close attention to dementia and the related disorders, cognitive communication
disorders arising from combat-related mild traumatic brain injury, and a final chapter on a broader
context of traumatic brain injury and its assessment and treatment.
The first chapter strictly focuses on attention and the associated disorders when attention
is unproductive. The chapter provides the evolution of the research on attention and attention
disorders, concluding with the most significant research published in the last five years. The initial
chapter also introduces right hemisphere disorders, traumatic brain injury, dementia and aphasia.
Each cognitive disorder is detailed and the assessment and treatment of each are discussed. This
chapter is a concise summary of contemporary research findings and industry practice pertaining
to cognitive communication disorders.
The second chapter adds to the grounding cognitive communication disorders of the prior
chapter, to detail the principles of human memory. More specifically, the interplay of cognition
and memory is discussed. A theoretical framework for human memory is explained in clear and
accessible terms. This understanding is combined with recent neurological underpinnings, such
as working memory, declarative memory, semantic memory and episodic memory. With this
foundation of knowledge, memory disorders are discussed. The screening and assessment, and
 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF DISABILITY, DEVELOPMENT AND EDUCATION   569

rehabilitation for people who suffer from memory disorders are also outlined. Although the depth
would not be sufficient for a clinical level, the depth of this chapter provides a solid foundation
to those involved or interested in the understanding of the functioning of memory disorders.
Chapter 3 is devoted to the theory, assessment and treatment of deficiencies in executive
functions. A simplified definition of executive function is the process that allows people to com-
plete tasks. The chapter begins with a theoretical background to the processes, and merges with
the realm of executive dysfunction. Executive dysfunction is any disorder inhibiting the normal
functioning of the frontal lobe region of the brain required from normal executive functioning.
This chapter provides the assessment and treatment of such dysfunction, through a large body
of research, and clinical tests and practices.
The growing information pertaining to the impact of right hemisphere brain damage on cog-
nitive communication is detailed in the fourth chapter. This chapter is data-rich, with the inclusion
of tables, descriptors, images, research, assessment measures with specific examples, guidelines
for evidence-based practices and treatment, hierarchies and stimuli for treatment. The information
presented cites the more recent and influential research findings and is communicated in the
Downloaded by [University of Florida] at 19:03 29 October 2017

same easy-to-access style of the entire book.

Chapter 5 narrows its focus on dementia. A detailed theoretical background is provided, which
uses the leading research findings to support the claims. The various types of dementia are out-
lined, following by the impact of the disorder on cognition and communication. Screening and
assessment processes are discussed. The discussion provides a good grounding to understanding
the disorder. Although specific details and protocols of practice would need to be sought from
further sources, the chapter provides a solid overview of dementia and the possible support
available for those who are afflicted with the disorder.
The sixth chapter provides fascinating insights into the mild traumatic brain injury related to
combat, and the effects on cognitive communication. The content of this section mirrors the same
depth of the prior chapters, and is once again is conveyed in a way that is easy to understand and
follow. The chapter provides information on the various types of trauma, pathophysiology after
trauma, comorbidities of mild traumatic brain injuries and the effects on cognitive communica-
tion. Avenues of assessment and treatment are also presented. This chapter is a sound grounding
in the complexities of combat-related traumas and the effect on cognitive communication.
The final chapter is a broader scope of traumatic brain injury. Again, the structure of the chapter
is congruent to their preceding chapters; beginning with a background conveyed through the
most influential contemporary research and finalising with assessment and treatment. Although
the specifics of each clinical practice are not provided, the depth is sufficient to provide a firm
understanding of the basic principles of cognitive communication disorders. This book is insight-
ful, respectful and accessible for the readership. Kimbarow has created an informative resource
recommended for those interested in cognitive communication disorders.

Lauren Sperotto
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
lauren.sperotto@uq.net.au
© 2017 Lauren Sperotto
https://doi.org/10.1080/1034912X.2017.1363964