Document ID: chunk:federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00223:clause:1_398:p1
Version: federal_register_of_legislation:F2023L00223
Segment Type: clause
Provision Reference: sch 1 cl 398 (pt 1/2)
Character Range: 317151–320492

398     The following procedure should be used in assessing cerebral function.

Step 1  Assess whether disturbance is present in the level of consciousness or awareness (Table 12.1.1: Permanent disturbances of levels of consciousness and awareness, Table 12.1.2: Epilepsy, seizures and convulsive disorders and Table 12.1.3: Sleep and arousal disorders). This may be a permanent alteration or an intermittent alteration in consciousness, awareness or arousal. Use the most applicable of Table 12.1.1, Table 12.1.2 or Table 12.1.3.
Step 2  Evaluate mental status and highest integrative functioning (Table 12.2: Impairment of memory, learning, abstract reasoning and problem solving ability).
Step 3  Identify any difficulty with comprehension and the use of language (Table 12.3: Criteria for rating impairment due to aphasia or dysphasia) Use the higher of the WPI ratings from these two tables.
Step 4  Evaluate any emotional or behavioural disturbances, such as depression, that can modify cerebral function (Table 12.4: Emotional or behavioural impairments).
Step 5  Identify the most severe cerebral impairment from steps 1 to 4 above. Combine the most severe WPI rating with WPI ratings from any tables in Chapter 12 – The neurological system including and following Table 12.5.1: The olfactory nerve (I), or with WPI ratings from other chapters.

    399     For the purposes of Chapter 12 – The neurological system, activities of daily living are those in Figure 12-A.
    Figure 12-A: Activities of daily living
Activity                     Examples
Self care, personal hygiene  Bathing, grooming, dressing, eating, eliminating.
Communication                Hearing, speaking, reading, writing, using keyboard.
Physical activity            Standing, sitting, reclining, walking, stooping, squatting, kneeling, reaching, bending, twisting, leaning, carrying, lifting, pulling, pushing, climbing, exercising.
Sensory function             Tactile feeling.
Hand functions               Grasping, holding, pinching, percussive movements, sensory discrimination.
Travel                       Driving or travelling as a passenger.
Sexual function              Participating in desired sexual activity.
Sleep                        Having a restful sleep pattern.
Social and recreational      Participating in individual or group activities, sports activities, hobbies.

    Notes regarding station, gait and movement disorders
      1. Station, gait and movement disorders:
        (i)        station and gait disorders affecting the lower extremities are to be assessed under Table 9.7: Lower extremity function (see Chapter 9 – Musculoskeletal system);
        (ii)      movement disorders affecting the upper extremities are to be assessed under Table 9.14: Upper extremity function (see Chapter 9 – Musculoskeletal system); and
        (iii)     except as provided for in the case of injury involving spinal cord damage (see notes to Table 9.15: Cervical spine – diagnosis-related estimates, Table 9.16: Thoracic spine – diagnosis-related estimates and Table 9.17: Lumbar spine – diagnosis-related estimates, Chapter 9 – Musculoskeletal system), station, gait and movement disorders may not be combined with any other WPI ratings from Chapter 9 for the same condition, but may be combined with other WPI ratings under Chapter 12 – The