Wanted: A new profession of neurotherapy

I don't ask for much.

So I won't ask for any miracle cures. I would, however, like to see a new profession.

I'd call it cognitive therapy, but that name's taken. So I'll call it neurotherapy for now.

A neurotherapist is a cross between a coach, teacher, occupational therapist, speech therapist, trainer, psychiatrist and neurologist.

A neurotherapist studies a child or adult with cognitive disorders and creates a profile of abilities, talents, disabilities and traits.

The neurotherapist then establishes up an empirical program of training, and studies the response across aspects of the individualized cognitive profile.

Some aspects respond to training. These receive special attention. Others respond poorly, they may be approached through different modalities. Over time a repeated failure of one aspect to respond to training means time and energy shift to other aspects.

A neurotherapist looks for collections of traits that may support employment or important skills. The neurotherapist designs training interventions that combine areas of relative strength that can compensate for areas of weakness.

Of course there's a wee problem with insurance payments and professional certification, but if we can squeak by that little detail I'm sure we could make progress. The first neurotherapists would likely be privately employed speech and occupational therapists looking to do much more than they're currently able to do.

Are you a speech or occupational therapist based in the Twin City region and looking to be one of the world's first neurotherapists? Send me a note: jfaughnan@spamcop.net.