Progress Towards Clinically Practicable Discourse Outcomes

EasyChair Preprint 6359

Abstract

Introduction

Navigating everyday conversation in stroke-induced (PWA) or primary progressive aphasia (PwPPA) is best indexed in discourse. Such complex communicative exchanges are high-priority treatment targets identified by PWA and primary outcomes. Thus, solving barriers to the clinical feasibility of discourse analyses is essential to ensure real-world implementation. Standardization and normative data have reduced implementation barriers related to the qualitative nature and subjectivity of discourse measurement. However, approximately 80% of practicing SLPs report time as an enduring barrier. This presentation reviews checklist-based measures of discourse samples, which reduce or eliminate the need for lengthy/specialized transcription, saving time.

Methods and Results

Existing micro- and macro-linguistic, checklist-based measures of discourse are picture or story-specific, allowing for standardization. These measures evaluate lexical items (CoreLex), main concepts and sequencing and story grammar elements in PWA and PwPPA.

Conclusions

Normative data, checklists, and freely available training that can be completed at a clinician’s own pace - like that available for CoreLex, MCA, and MSSG analyses - are chipping away at the barriers and improving the clinical feasibility of discourse analysis. Additionally, organizations like FOQUSAphasia are connecting researchers and clinicians, effectively reducing the time needed to translate new research into clinical practice.

Keyphrases: Main concepts, aphasia, checklist-based, core lexicon, discourse, sequencing, story grammar

@booklet{EasyChair:6359,
  author    = {Jessica Richardson and Sarah Grace Dalton and Davida Fromm and Kathryn Greenslade and Amy Ramage},
  title     = {Progress Towards Clinically Practicable Discourse Outcomes},
  howpublished = {EasyChair Preprint 6359},
  year      = {EasyChair, 2021}}