recognition impairment, such as, primary sensory disruption, dementia, aphasia, anomia, or unfamiliarity with the object category or elements. determination of the scope and specific nature of the recognition impairment. including: specific sensory modality specific category of stimuli specific conditions under which recognition is possible testing specialists, like ophthalmologists or audiologists, can test for perceptual abilities. detailed testing is conducted, using specially formulated assessment materials, and referrals to neurological specialists is recommended to support a diagnosis via brain imaging or recording techniques. the separate stages of information processing in the object recognition model are often used to localize the processing level of the deficit. testing usually consists of object identification and perception tasks including: object-naming tasks object categorization or figure matching drawing or copying real objects or images or illustrations unusual views tests overlapping line drawings partially degraded or fragmented image identification face or feature analysis fine line judgment figure contour tracking visual object description object-function miming tactile ability tests (naming by touch) auditory presentation identification overlap with optic aphasia sensory modality testing allows practitioners to assess for generalized versus specific deficits, distinguishing visual agnosias from optic aphasia, which is a more generalized deficit in semantic knowledge for objects that spans multiple sensory modalities, indicating an impairment in the semantic representations themselves. apperceptive vs. associative the distinction between visual agnosias can be assessed based on the individual's ability to copy simple line drawings, figure contour tracking, and figure matching. apperceptive visual agnostics fail at these tasks, while associative visual agnostics are able to perform normally, though their copying of images or words is often slavish, lacking originality or personal interpretation. treatment the affected individual may not realize that they have a visual problem and may complain of becoming "clumsy" or "muddled" when performing familiar tasks such as setting the table or simple diy. anosognosia, a lack of awareness of the deficit, is common and can cause therapeutic resistance. in some agnosias, such as prosopagnosia, awareness of the deficit is often present; however shame and embarrassment regarding the symptoms can be a barrier in admission of a deficiency. because agnosias result from brain lesions, no direct treatment for them currently exists, and intervention is aimed at utilization of coping strategies by patients and those around them. sensory compensation can also develop after one modality is impaired in agnostics general principles of treatment: restitution repetitive training of impaired ability development of compensatory strategies utilizing retained cognitive functions partial remediation is more likely in cases with traumatic/vascular lesions, where more focal damage occurs, than in cases where the deficit arises out of anoxic brain damage, which typically results in more diffuse damage and multiple cognitive impairments. however, even with forms of compensation, some affected individuals may no longer be able to fulfill the requirements of their occupation or perform common tasks, such as, eating or navigating. agnostics are likely to become more dependent on others and to experience significant changes to their lifestyle, which can lead to depression or adjustment disorders.