An Integrated Approach for Treating Discourse in Aphasia: Bridging the Gap Between Language Impairment and Functional Communication

Document Type

Article

Journal/Book Title/Conference

Topics in Language Disorders

Volume

36

Publication Date

2016

First Page

80

Last Page

96

Abstract

A primary goal of aphasia intervention is to improve everyday communication. Although a large body of research focuses on treatment generalization, transfer of learning to real-world interactions involving discourse does not always occur. The goal of an integrated discourse treatment for aphasia (IDTA) approach is to facilitate such generalization. This article reviews generalization data from a series of four closely related IDTA studies. Method: Treatment in all studies (two case reports and two single subject experimental designs) followed a problem-based learning model targeting word retrieval, sentence processing, and discourse production. Results: Seven of eight participants acquired the target vocabulary and sentence structures. In addition, generalization was evident for most participants on related linguistic structures, standardized tests of language and cognition, and/or measures of spoken discourse production. Conclusions: Findings add to previous research supporting an IDTA approach to improving discourse in persons with aphasia. Participant characteristics and properties of outcome measures associated with these results are also discussed.

Link to Full Text

Share

COinS