A cognitive impairment refers to difficulty with skills including memory, attention, organization, processing speed, judgment and reasoning, and problem-solving skills. Many of the skills impacted by cognitive impairments are considered executive functioning skills that work together for daily activities. Tasks that require critical thinking, logical reasoning, and language functions may be more difficult for people with cognitive impairments. A cognitive impairment may be present if the following is observed:

• Difficulty staying on topic in conversation
• Poor memory
• Disorganization of personal belongings, information, and scheduling
• Poor time management
• Difficulty with task initiation and completion