Integrative Cognitive Profiling Framework

What do we do differently?

Aspiedent’s Integrative Cognitive Profiling Framework has been researched and developed by Dr Elizabeth Guest and is the keystone of how Aspiedent works.

This Framework was designed as a complex, dynamic and innovative way to support an inclusive approach to autism and cognitive diversity which focuses on underlying issues rather than just the typical approach of identifying symptoms.

Similar symptoms can be caused by different underlying issues and this often leads to ineffective recommended reasonable adjustments. Our framework is designed to look for ‘WHY’ the difficulty is occurring so that reasonable adjustments are tailored to the specific issues of an individual.

During an assessment a vast amount of data will be explored to develop an understanding of the individual. The information sought during the assessment includes but isn't limited to identifying sensory issues and preferences, thinking and learning preferences and styles, interest and focus and processing issues. The aim will be to not only identify the key underlying issues, but also how they interact, how the individual has adapted to these issues and how they can interact with developing strengths as well as challenges. People are often surprised that we are just as interested in what they are good at as with what they struggle with. This is vital for building a complete picture of the person.

Diagram showing a box in the centre saying 'Drive to connect, drive to fit in'. The box then has 4 boxes pointing inwards to this centre box. The one box says 'Thinking and learning', the second says 'Interest/focus', the third says 'processing issues' and the fourth box says 'sensory issues'. — This diagram gives an indication as to how the integrative cognitive profiling framework works. You start with a set of symptoms, which in this diagram is the drive to connect and fit in. Lots of questions are asked to get to the root of what is going on, which normally falls into one or more of the outside categories. The report explains how elements of these categories contribute to the surface symptoms individually and how interactions between these categories also contribute.

A key part of a profile is also to explain how individual categories and interactions between categories create strengths. An integrative cognitive profile joins all 'the dots' to create a complex network of interactions to describe the complexity of an individual.

Through understanding a person as a complete cognitive individual, you can be significantly more targeted and effective in implementing strategies and adjustments.

Our great strength at Aspiedent is our ability to take on complex challenges, but this does not mean we want to "fix" people to be able to fit in. Our goal is rather to help the environment to accommodate while recognising that generally there is a need to meet half way and the employee has to do their part.

Aspects of the integrative cognitive profiling tool can be adapted for use more generally in the workplace so that the workplace becomes more accommodating for all employees while recognising that it is not possible to accommodate everything. The aim is to make it easier for employees to do their part to fit in.

A row of heads coloured with various gradients with cogs on their foreheads.

Applications

The Integrative Cognitive Profiling Framework has many applications. We list some below:

Applications Relevant to Businesses

Workplace Assessments

Overcome difficulties with members of staff who have autism or other related cognitive issues by implementing the right Reasonable Adjustments.

Recruitment Process

Build a diverse team by focusing on individual strengths of an employee, to bring innovation, creativity and enhanced problem solving to the team.

Employee Development

Help employees to realise their potential by breaking down barriers and carefully planning their career development.

Leadership Advocacy

Improve self awareness and communication skills of employees (senior or junior) who have autism or a related condition so that they can participate more fully in leadership development activities and develop their leadership skills.

An inclusive Team

Build an inclusive team through understanding the various ways in which we all perceive and experience the world. Build an appreciation of different ways of thinking and perspectives.

Effective Delegation

Build confidence and productivity by adjusting the approach to distribution of work in a way that optimises the interests and skill sets of your employees including those employees with more unique skill sets.

Team Building

By understanding that people experience, perceive and interact with the world differently you can better interact with your colleagues and enhance relationships and productivity. You can also identify ‘cognitive gaps’ in the team and recruit accordingly.

Effective Communication

By understanding the impact of cognitive diversity on communication, you can make sure that everyone’s voice is heard and that all perspectives are properly considered. This will go a long way towards avoiding ‘group think’ and thus improve problem solving and decision making.

AWEsome

Create an Adjustable Office Environment (AWEsome) by using an understanding of cognitive diversity to create an environment that adjusts to your employees as far as is feasible. This could include the provision of software, the way work is distributed, and how, for example, problems are solved and decisions made.

Find out more by looking at our services for businesses page.

Services for Businesses

Integrative Cognitive Profiling Framework

What do we do differently?

Applications

Applications Relevant to Employees

Adding detail to a diagnosis

Workplace Assessment

Tailored Training

Careers Advice

Increasing Diversity and Inclusion

Applications Relevant to Parents

Adding detail to a diagnosis

Making Education Accessible

Understanding your child better

Improving access to Funding