Speech and Hearing Sciences ETDs

Publication Date

Summer 7-14-2021

Abstract

Commonly used standardized tests, like the Western Aphasia Battery-Revised (WAB-R), are not sensitive to higher level discourse deficits, leading to certain individuals not meeting diagnostic criteria for aphasia. Consequently, individuals with aphasia are excluded from receiving potentially beneficial services and/or from being included in research. In a large sample of persons with stroke-induced aphasia, this study analyzed discourse samples using Main Concept, Sequencing, and Story Grammar (MSSG) Analyses to examine macrostructural discourse characteristics of persons with latent aphasia (PWLAs) compared to persons with no underlying brain injury (PNBIs) and persons classified as having anomic aphasia (PWAAs) by the WAB-R. A secondary analysis was conducted comparing PWLAs and a subgroup of PWAAs who scored in the upper range on the WAB-R (PWAAs-top). Results revealed PWLAs demonstrate macrostructural discourse impairments differing from PNBIs, PWAAs, and PWAAs-top and should be considered a unique aphasic group deserving of clinical attention and services.

Degree Name

Speech-Language Pathology

Level of Degree

Masters

Department Name

Speech and Hearing Sciences

First Committee Member (Chair)

Jessica Richardson, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Second Committee Member

Rick Arenas, Ph.D.

Third Committee Member

Sarah Grace Hudspeth Dalton, Ph.D., CCC-SLP

Language

English

Keywords

aphasia, latent aphasia, main concept analysis, MSSG, sequencing, story grammar

Document Type

Thesis

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