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PERCEPTUAL PROBLEMS
Perceptual problems result from a difficulty in processing the information that comes either through ears, eyes, touch, or movement. Auditorially, your family member's ability to hear sounds will probably be fine. However, he may not be able to understand what is said to him. This may happen because he does not perceive the different sounds in words. For example, he may misunderstand addresses, directions, or names because he mishears similar-sounding words. Visually, your family member' s ability may be intact (i.e., 20/20 vision); however, he may have difficulty recognizing shapes or following written directions because he does not lift the information correctly from the page. In the same manner, he may have difficulty with left/right, top/bottom orientation. Your family member may not be able to obtain as much information through touch as he once did. This does not mean that he won't feel sensations as he once did, but his interpretation of what he feels may take longer (i.e., identifying coins placed in his hand). He may not be accurate at discriminating objects by touch. Your family member may not move as quickly or precisely as he did before (this will be covered in depth in the section on slowed response time). He also will not receive as distinct or accurate feedback from his movements as he once did. Examples The following are examples of perceptual problems you may observe in your family member:
Management Techniques Many perceptual difficulties improve with time; however, some remain. Your family member may always have difficulty following directions, either written, graphic, or verbal. Therefore, he may also always need to rely on writing down information.
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