Allen's Cognitive Disabilities Model (CDM)

  • The Allen’s Cognitive Disabilities Model (CDM) emphases on the integration of the cognitive functional ability and the level of activities that clients are able and willing to perform. Interventions using this model can take place individually or in group. When implementing the intervention, therapists consider each client’s needs and implement changes in task accordingly. In group sessions, each client’s cognitive mode of performance is considered individually and adapted to the modified task with appropriate level of required cognitive functional ability. To describe the degree of cognitive disability, this model uses six functional cognitive levels:

     

    • (1) automatic actions,
    • (2) postural actions,
    • (3) manual actions,
    • (4) goal-directed actions,
    • (5) exploratory actions, and
    • (6) planned actions.

    Each cognitive level consists of modes of performance, and the overall performance ranges from 0 (generalized reflexive actions) to 6 (normal functioning). Assessments on functional history aim to evaluate functional levels in the domains of ADL, IADL, etc., in order to suggest the level of cognitive abilities and task performance of specific client. Interventions using this model consist of three stages such as post-acute, rehabilitation, and long-term care. Task analysis and activity analysis are mainly used for analyzing each task to match the demands to the cognitive level to each client during intervention. Short-term goals aim to match to the current mode of performance, whereas long-term goals are based on prediction of change in performance modes. The ultimate goal of this model is to maintain the client’s existing skills, and to develop new coping strategies.

     

Summarized by

  • Macey Cho

Type

  • Model (conceptual)

Population

  • Child
  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Elderly

Disability

  • Mental disability

Domain of occupation

  • Unspecified

Application Note

  • Activity analysis and task analysis are utilized to match each client’s cognitive level with appropriate task demands

Key Reference

  • Allen, C. K. (1992). Cognitive disabilities. In N. Katz (Ed.), Cognitive rehabilitation: Models for intervention in occupational therapy (pp. 1-21). Stoneham: Butterworth-Heinemann.

Year Published

  • 1992

Primary Developer

  • Claudia Allen

Primary Developer Email

  • contact@allencognitive.com

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Model Type

Population

Disability

Domain of Occupation

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