Word-finding Problems Research Articles

Analysis of Word Finding Disorders on the Kaufman-Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC)

The Kaufman-Assessment Battery for Children (K-ABC), a new individually administered intelligence and achievement tool which assesses problem-solving styles and information processing, is reviewed with respect to the identification of word finding problems and the usefulness of the simultaneous vs. successive processing dichotomy in the understanding of children's word retrieval disorders. A framework for identifying potential expressive language problems while conducting other comprehensive assessments is recommended. Hypothetical profiles contrasting children's scores on simultaneous vs. successive tasks are discussed with respect to types of word finding problems manifested on the K-ABC. Extension testing is recommended where appropriate.

Word-Finding Substitutions in Children with Learning Disabilities

Measures designed to explore word-finding ability were administered to 8–11-year-old learning-disabled and normal-learning children. Three stimulus contexts and high- and low-frequency words were used. In addition, characteristics secondary to the word-finding process were analyzed. Certain substitution types and secondary characteristics emerged as specific to learning-disabled children. These findings have practical implications for the diagnosis and remediation of word-finding problems in learning-disabled children.

720 COMMUNICATION SKILIS AMONG UNSELECTED XXY BOYS

Previous studies of XXY boys from biased sources of ascertainment have suggested a risk for communication disorders, and ongoing longitudinal prospective studies of unselected XXY boys have demonstrated early lags in speech development. This study compares the communication skills of a group of 14 unselected XXY boys ascertained during a neonatal screening survey with a group of 15 normal control boys, matched for age, grade, performance IQ, birth weight, parental age and education, parity and socioeconomic status. Although the XXY group did not significantly differ from the control group in performance IQ, they did demonstrate a significant reduction in verbal IQ (p≤0.001), which resulted in a reduced full scale IQ (p≤0.01). The reduction in verbal IQ was correlated with significant reductions in auditory processing abilities, auditory memory, and expressive language. Of particular interest was the demonstration of word-finding difficulties and problems in the use of syntax as major factors in the expressive language deficit. Except for difficulties with syntax, receptive language skills were relatively normal. These results suggest that left-hemisphere-based difficulty in serial order processing may be associated with the XXY anomaly, as compared with right-hemisphere deficits in spatial processing that have been associated with XO Turner syndrome.

Word-Finding Problems and Difficulties with Numerical Concepts in a Junior High School Boy

Word-Finding Problems and Difficulties with Numerical Concepts in a Junior High School Boy

Aphasia therapy: a new look.

The paper presents some personal clinical observations on aphasia and aphasia therapy. It discusses the relative merits of direct language-centered therapy and a more indirect context-centered therapy. It presents a viewpoint on when therapy should be undertaken and by whom. It elaborates some new concepts about aphasia as a thought-process defect rather than a linguistic disturbance. It introduces the idea that the word-finding problem in aphasia is related to involuntary inhibition or what has been called “the shutter principle.” It presents some guidelines for considering when therapy should be discontinued.