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Article
An Integrated Approach for Treating Discourse in Aphasia: Bridging the Gap Between Language Impairment and Functional Communication
Topics in Language Disorders
  • Lisa H. Milman, Utah State University
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
1-1-2016
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.

Citation Information
Lisa H. Milman. "An Integrated Approach for Treating Discourse in Aphasia: Bridging the Gap Between Language Impairment and Functional Communication" Topics in Language Disorders Vol. 36 (2016) p. 80 - 96
Available at: http://works.bepress.com/lisa_milman/57/