Clinical Assessment of Disordered Discourse

Abstract

This chapter focuses on the discussion of various approaches of clinical assessment of discourse impairments. First, the principles and various methods to subjectively evaluate disordered discourse using rating scales, typically found in standardized aphasia assessment batteries, are summarized. Multiple clinically oriented, linguistically-based discourse analytic systems for aphasic discourse and output from speakers with related language disorders (such as the Yorkston and Beukelman quantification method, core lexicon analysis, Shewan Spontaneous Language Analysis, or Linguistic Communication Measure and its extended versions) are compared and contrasted. This is followed by detailed descriptions on a number of content-based analyses (such as main event analysis, frequency analysis of errors, and Main Concept Analysis and its extended versions). Finally, procedures and principles of sampling and quantifying a conversational dyad (such as using Conversation Analysis Profile for People with Aphasia or measuring conversational appropriateness) are discussed. Apart from providing practical examples of analyses, the pros and cons of all these above-mentioned clinical measures are given to help readers select the most suitable method for their clinical needs. Readers will benefit from the details on how each approach can be implemented based on a speakers linguistic competency and be able to apply selectively one or more approaches of clinical discourse assessment.