New guidance on Acquired Brain Injury and Cognitive Communication Disorders published

2 June 2026

The RCSLT has updated our Acquired Brain Injury guidance and developed brand new Cognitive Communication Disorders guidance for both SLTs and non-medical professionals

​Guidance on how speech and language therapy can support people across the lifespan with Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) or Cognitive Communication Disorders (CCD) is now available on the RCSLT website.

Speech and language therapists play a vital role in supporting people with Acquired Brain Injury and Cognitive Communication Disorders. They provide assessment, diagnosis, joint goal-setting and intervention for any difficulties with communication and/or eating, drinking and swallowing which people with CCD or Acquired Brain Injury may experience.

 

What does the guidance cover?

The clinical guidance covers all aspects of the SLT involvement, describing best practice, a summary of current literature, risk factors, impacts of ABI and CCD and clinical recommendations. The information written for members of the public highlights how people with ABI or CCD can get the most out of speech and language therapy input as well as how others can best support them.

All of the information which has been developed is publicly available and we hope that this not only helps to raise awareness of both conditions, but also improves the experiences of people with ABI or CCD.

Both the Acquired Brain Injury guidance and the Cognitive Communication Disorders guidance were developed by a lead author, supporting authors and those with lived experience. We thank all of those who contributed to developing these pieces of guidance.

 

Where can I find the Acquired Brain Injury guidance?

The full set of acquired brain injury guidance can be found in our clinical guidance section

If you’re a practising SLT who is looking for information to share with service users or if you or your family/friend has an acquired brain injury, visit our public information pages.

 

Where can I find the Cognitive Communication Disorders guidance?

The full set of cognitive communication disorders guidance can be found in our Clinical Guidance pages.

 

If you’re a practising SLT who is looking for information to share with service users or if you or your family/friend has a cognitive communication disorder, visit our public information pages and resources.