Who? 

The CAISonline course, and additional resources presented here may be useful to you if you relate to, assist, or care for a person living with mild to severe behavior challenges or cognitive challenges.  These challenges include those, for example, found in dementia, stroke, mental illness, mental health challenges, traumatic brain injury, autism, or other developmental differences or disorders.  They may also be useful to you if you are a person living with such challenges.  (And since each of us has a unique set of both cognitive challenges and cognitive strengths, the cais, course, and resources may be useful to all of us (with or without a diagnosis and at all levels of dependence or independence) as we interact with each other.)

Why? 

The cais, course, and resources can help reduce or prevent stress, fatigue, frustration, and distress, or simply help a person grow or feel more comfortable and competent. They can help you understand why distress and distressing behavior or situations occur and how to prevent them, as well as how to respond to and help this person.

What? 

The Cognitive Abilities and Intervention Strategies (cais) is a guide (or tool) that focuses specifically on supporting a person’s cognitive abilities.  It consists of a set of questions and ideas of everyday intervention strategies that anyone can use (professional, friend, or family member, or a person living with cognitive challenges) to address distress, the ability to perform tasks, quality of life, and confusion. It helps you recognize a specific person’s cognitive abilities (their cognitive strengths and needs), then suggests ideas of practical ways to adapt your communication with this person, their environment, and the task.

What’s Here

The cais, Online Course, Three-Volume Manual (in the Additional Resources section)

  • cais questions and intervention strategies are all presented here under “Additional Resources”. There are four parts to the CAIS:

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Why the CAIS was Created

In the 1970s I was relating to a variety of people who were living with psychiatric and/or brain diagnoses in my work. I often saw...

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For more information see "How the cais was Created."

Making the cais for Looking Beyond Behavior:

More About the cais, Beyond Behavior Online Course, and Additional Resources

The resources, including the Cognitive Abilities and Intervention Strategies (the cais), the three-volume cais manual, and the online course of five modules in this Beyond Behavior category, search behind the behavior to understand the causes of behavior and how to address them in a way that helps a person.

They describe the brain and how changes in the brain affect a person’s cognitive abilities (for example, their ability to think, imagine, and to understand and respond to their surroundings).

They provide ideas of intervention strategies that address a person’s cognitive abilities so that this person can feel more comfortable and competent, communicate, perform tasks more easily, and in general live a more fulfilling life.

The cais, course, and resources are relevant to any person living with brain changes or differences, such as those found in Dementia (Major Neurocognitive Disorder including Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia with Lewy Bodies, Frontotemporal Dementia, and others), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Stroke, Autism, or an other intellectual or developmental difference, as well as with mental illness or mental health challenges. They are also in fact relevant to any person with or without a diagnosis, and whether or not this person functions easily or with difficulty. That is, they are relevant to all of us, since each of us has our own unique set of both cognitive challenges and cognitive strengths. We each have an “imperfect” brain.

The Cognitive Abilities and Intervention Strategies (cais) provides a set of questions to ask yourself to help identify a person’s cognitive abilities, including their cognitive strengths and cognitive needs.  Additional questions help identify how well the environment, interactions with this person, and the structure and timing of tasks support this person’s cognitive abilities. 

Practical, concrete, everyday intervention strategies (support strategies) are then provided to help address this person’s specific cognitive strengths and needs by modifying the environment, communication, and the task and daily routines.

These are individualized to a particular person and situation and are also useful for general educationintervention planning, or program design.

They can help prevent and reduce distress, stress, frustration, fatigue, and distressing situations.

The following resources are provided in the three volumes of the CAIS manual as downloadable and printable pdfs:

  1. cais Questions to Ask (in Volume 2), with an introduction and instructions for using the cais and for using each of the four parts of the cais: 1. Cognitive Abilities, 2. The Environment, 3. Communication, 4. The Task and Daily Routines.  The cais is provided both in an interactive format and as downloadable and printable pdfs. All of Volume 2 is provided as downloadable and printable pdfs.
  2. cais Intervention Strategies (in Volume 2), with an introduction and instructions for using the cais and for using each of the four parts of the cais: 1. Cognitive Abilities, 2. The Environment, 3. Communication, 4. The Task and Daily Routines. The cais is provided both in an interactive format and as downloadable and printable pdfs.  All of Volume 2 is provided as downloadable and printable pdfs.
  3. Online course with five one-hour modules to learn how the cais is structured and how to use the cais. The course also provides additional tips and orientation to the concepts, and background information regarding the role of the brain. Modules 1-5 address the brain, cognitive abilities, the environment, communication, and the task, respectively.
  4. Curriculum of five sessions called the cais Educational Series (in Volume 3). These sessions can be presented formally or used informally when sharing information, problem-solving, supervising, or advising. Sessions 1-5 address the brain, cognitive abilities, the environment, communication, and the task, respectively. These sessions include informal questions to ask. Each session has a script, objectives, PowerPoint slides, handouts, and evaluation forms. An introduction to the series is provided. All of Volume 3, including the entire curriculum, is provided as downloadable and printable pdfs.
  5. In-depth background information and exploration of the concepts (including additional intervention strategies and information about the brain) presented as five chapters (in Volume 1). Each chapter accompanies one of the five modules of the online course and one of the five sessions of the curriculum. The chapter topics are the brain, cognitive abilities, the environment, communication, and the task, respectively. These chapters and introductions provide additional in-depth information and background resources for the cais, online course, and curriculum.  All of Volume 1 is provided as downloadable and printable pdfs.
  6. cais handouts (43 total) in Volume 1 with information and suggestions that go into more depth regarding specific topics that the cais, the online course, the chapters, and the curriculum address (such as visuospatial interventions or frontal lobe interventions, or specific lobes of the brain). They are additional background resources about the brain, cognitive abilities, and intervention and support strategies. They present information and intervention suggestions that address the needs of readers at various levels of understanding and experience, so specific handouts can be distributed to individuals or groups based on specific needs. Most of the handouts are 2-5 pages long; some are longer. An introduction to describe how to use the handouts is provided, as is a list of all 43 handouts.  Each of the 43 handouts, the introduction, and the list of handouts are provided as downloadable and printable pdfs.

About the Author: A Summary

Shelly Weaverdyck, PhD

Shelly Weaverdyck, PhD

Shelly Weaverdyck, PhD has specialized in cognition and the brain for nearly 40 years, advising and teaching...

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How the cais was Created

The Cognitive Abilities and Intervention Strategies (cais) by Shelly Weaverdyck has evolved from...

(Acknowledgements and dedication are at the end of this section.)

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5 Courses in Cognitive Abilities and Intervention Strategies (CAIS) - Beyond Behavior

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Additional Resources in Cognitive Abilities and Intervention Strategies (CAIS) - Beyond Behavior

The goal of IMP is to provide the most up to date, evidence-based information for your continued learning. As part of that, IMP can provide additional resources like a full IMP Encyclopedia and multiple supplementary videos on the various topics covered in the courses.

By clicking the Resources menu, you will find information under the Advisory Groups, Encyclopedia, and Supplementary Videos menu items.

Cognitive Abilities and Intervention Strategies (CAIS) - Beyond Behavior specific resources can be found below. 

cais Manual Volumes 1 - 3

Interactive cais Questions and Interventions

Volume 1 - Tips and Concepts Behind The CAIS

5 chapters with similar titles to the session titles in Vol 3 and the module titles in the online course. The titles of Chapters 2-5 match the titles of the four parts of the CAIS in Vol 2.  Vol 1 has an introduction, the five chapters, and all the CAIS Handouts (43 total) which give an in-depth look at the CAIS concepts and intervention strategies.

  1. Introduction to the Three-Volume Manual (with Table of Contents)
  2. Introduction to Volume 1
  3. Chapter 1 (Brain and Cognition)
  4. Chapter 2 (Cognitive Abilities)
  5. Chapter 3 (Environment)
  6. Chapter 4 (Communication)
  7. Chapter 5 (Task and Daily Routines)
  8. Handouts Introduction
  9. Handout List
  10. Handouts (43 total)

Volume 2 - CAIS Questions and Intervention Strategies

CAIS questions and intervention strategies organized in 4 parts: Cognitive Abilities, The Environment, Communication, and The Task. All 4 parts of the CAIS Questions and Intervention Strategies are available in both an interactive format and in the pdf documents below:

Interactive cais Questions and Interventions

  1. Introduction to Volume 2
  2. Complete Instructions and Introduction for CAIS

Cognitive Abilities CAIS

  1. CAIS Cognitive Abilities Brief Instructions and Introduction
  2. CAIS Cognitive Abilities Yes/No Questions to Ask
  3. CAIS Cognitive Abilities Four Point Questions to Ask
  4. CAIS Cognitive Abilities 1-Sensory Intervention Strategies
  5. CAIS Cognitive Abilities 2-Comprehension/Perception Intervention Strategies
  6. CAIS Cognitive Abilities 3-Executive Intervention Strategies
  7. CAIS Cognitive Abilities 4-Expressive Intervention Strategies
  8. CAIS Cognitive Abilities 5-Motor Intervention Strategies

Environment CAIS

  1. CAIS Environment Brief Instructions and Introduction
  2. CAIS Environment Additional Instructions
  3. CAIS Environment Yes/No Questions to Ask
  4. CAIS Environment Four Point Questions to Ask
  5. CAIS Environment Intervention Strategies

Communication CAIS

  1. CAIS Communication Brief Instructions and Introduction
  2. CAIS Communication Yes/No Questions to Ask
  3. CAIS Communication Four Point Questions to Ask
  4. CAIS Communication Intervention Strategies

Task And Daily Routines CAIS

  1. CAIS Task and Daily Routines Brief Instructions and Introduction
  2. CAIS Task and Daily Routines Yes/No Questions to Ask
  3. CAIS Task and Daily Routines Four Point Questions to Ask
  4. CAIS Task and Daily Routines Intervention Strategies

Volume 3 - Teaching, Advising, and Learning the CAIS Concepts

5 sessions in the curriculum (called the CAIS Educational Series). Volume 3 has an introduction to Volume 3, an introduction to the curriculum sessions, and then all 5 sessions. Curriculum includes script, handouts, slides, evaluation forms.  This is for someone who wants to present this material either to a group/class or in an informal setting while advising. A bit more basic than the online course.

  1. Introduction to Volume 3
  2. Education Curriculum Sessions 1-5 Introduction

Education Session 1: Brain and Cognition

  1. Education Curriculum Session 1 Script
  2. Education Curriculum Session 1 Slides
  3. Education Curriculum Session 1 Handout One: Brain and Cognitive Abilities
  4. Education Curriculum Session 1 Handout Two: Four Factors
  5. Education Curriculum Session 1 Handout Three: Overview of Five Sessions
  6. Education Curriculum Session 1 Pre-Session Form
  7. Education Curriculum Session 1 Post-Session Form
  8. Education Curriculum Session 1 Evaluation Form

Education Session 2: Cognitive Abilities

  1. Education Curriculum Session 2 Script
  2. Education Curriculum Session 2 Slides
  3. Education Curriculum Session 2 Handout: Understanding Cognitive Abilities
  4. Education Curriculum Session 2 Pre-Session Form
  5. Education Curriculum Session 2 Post-Session Form
  6. Education Curriculum Session 2 Evaluation Form

Education Session 3: Environment

  1. Education Curriculum Session 3 Script
  2. Education Curriculum Session 3 Slides
  3. Education Curriculum Session 3 Handout: Understanding the Environment
  4. Education Curriculum Session 3 Pre-Session Form
  5. Education Curriculum Session 3 Post-Session Form
  6. Education Curriculum Session 3 Evaluation Form

Education Session 4: Communication

  1. Education Curriculum Session 4 Script
  2. Education Curriculum Session 4 Slides
  3. Education Curriculum Session 4 Handout: Understanding Communication
  4. Education Curriculum Session 4 Pre-Session Form
  5. Education Curriculum Session 4 Post-Session Form
  6. Education Curriculum Session 4 Evaluation Form

Education Session 5: Task and Daily Routines

  1. Education Curriculum Session 5 Script
  2. Education Curriculum Session 5 Slides
  3. Education Curriculum Session 5 Handout: Understanding the Task and Daily Routines
  4. Education Curriculum Session 5 Pre-Session Form
  5. Education Curriculum Session 5 Post-Session Form
  6. Education Curriculum Session 5 Evaluation Form

Handouts

Handouts

  1. Handout List

Addressing Cognitive Abilities

  1. Messages about Cognitive Intervention: Suggestions about the Basics of Addressing a Person’s Cognitive Abilities
  2. Messages about Cognitive Abilities: Suggestions of Assumptions to Make about a Person who Needs Help

Cognitive Abilities and The Brain

  1. Cognitive Abilities Listed: Five Phases of Cognitive Processing
  2. Understanding Cognitive Abilities: Questions to Ask: Adaptation of Handout from Session Two of the CAIS Educational Series
  3. Recognizing Cognitive Abilities: Suggestions for Recognizing Evidence of a Person’s Cognitive Strengths and Needs
  4. The Healthy Brain and Cognition: Information about Cognitive Abilities and Parts of the Brain
  5. Brain Changes and the Effects on Cognition: Information about Parts of the Brain, Cognitive Abilities, and Dementia
  6. The Brain and Cognitive Abilities: Adaptation of Handout One from Session One of the CAIS Educational Series
  7. Hand Dominance Criteria: Suggestions of Evidence a Person is Left or Right Handed
  8. Comments about the Brain: Information about the Brain and Effects of Brain Changes Summarized

Understanding How a Person, Environment, Task, and Communication Affect Cognitive Abilities

  1. Domains to Explore: Suggestions of Information to Gather as you Consider How to Help
  2. Helping a Person with a Task: Suggestions for Adapting the Environment, Communication, and the Task and Why
  3. Understanding the Environment: Questions to Ask: Adaptation of Handout from Session Three of the CAIS Educational Series
  4. Features of the Environment to Consider and Why: Nine Aspects that Affect Cognitive Abilities: 4 pages
  5. Understanding Communication: Questions to Ask: Adaptation of Handout from Session Four of the CAIS Educational Series
  6. Understanding the Task and Daily Routines: Questions to Ask: Adaptation of Handout from Session Five of the CAIS Educational Series

Causes of Cognitive Change

  1. Three Questions About Cause: Suggestions for a Search for the Reasons Cognitive Changes are Occurring Now
  2. Change in Cognition Questions: Suggestions for Exploring Possible Reasons for Cognitive Changes in Mental Illness
  3. Alzheimer’s Disease: Information and Intervention Suggestions with an Emphasis on Cognition
  4. Dementia with Lewy Bodies: Information and Intervention Suggestions with an Emphasis on Cognition
  5. Frontotemporal Dementia: Information and Intervention Suggestions with an Emphasis on Cognition

Intervention: Supporting Cognitive Abilities

Improving Communication, Task Performance, Happiness; Reducing Distress

  1. Four Factors and Basic Concepts for Intervention: Suggestions for Assisting a Person by Addressing their Cognitive Abilities
  2. Four Factors: Cognitive Abilities and Intervention Strategies: Adaptation of Handout Two from Session One of the CAIS Educational Series
  3. Do’s to Remember: Suggestions for Preventing and Responding to Distress and Distressing Situations
  4. Responding to Distress, Pain, and Needs of a Person: Suggestions of Verbal and Nonverbal Strategies
  5. Emotions: Suggestions of How to Recognize Nonverbal Evidence
  6. Touch: Suggestions for Touching a Person with Changes in Cognitive Abilities
  7. Movement with Less Distress: Suggestions for Moving a Part of the Body of a Person who Needs Help
  8. Visual-Spatial Interventions: Suggestions for Helping a Person by Addressing their Visuospatial Abilities
  9. Vision and Hearing Interventions: Suggestions for Helping a Person by Addressing their Cognitive Abilities
  10. Task Complexity and Intervention Method: Suggestions for Modifying a Task to Address Cognitive Abilities
  11. Making Decisions: Suggestions for Helping a Person Make their Own Decisions by Addressing their Cognitive Abilities
  12. Simple Activities: Suggestions of Adult Activities that Support Cognitive Abilities
  13. Sleep Interventions: Suggestions for Helping a Person by Addressing their Cognitive Abilities
  14. Interventions for a Person with Brain Changes in the Frontal Lobe: Suggestions for Helping a Person by Addressing their Cognitive Changes
  15. Interventions for a Person with Right Hemispheric Brain Changes: Suggestions for Helping a Person by Addressing their Cognitive Changes
  16. Dementia with Lewy Bodies Interventions: Suggestions for Helping a Person Living with DLB
  17. Frontotemporal Dementia Interventions: Suggestions for Helping a Person Living with FTD
  18. Sharing Ideas with Others: Suggestions for Sharing Information, Support, and Intervention Ideas

Distressing Situations

  1. Ten Questions about Distress: Suggestions of Questions to Ask when Advising about Distressing Situations and a Person in Distress
  2. Response to Acute Distress: Suggestions of Questions to Consider when Assisting a Person with Cognitive Changes
  3. Planning an Intervention for a Distressing Situation: Suggestions for How to Address the Distress
  4. Methods and Occasions for Assessment: Suggestions of Types and Times of Assessment for a Person with Cognitive Changes

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