The Effects of Three Conditions of Slowed Presentation Rate on the Auditory Comprehension of Aphasic Adults as Measured by the Token Test

Author

Edie Renee Colick, Fontbonne College

Year of Award

1981

Degree

Master of Science (MS)

College

College of Education & Allied Health

Department

Communication Disorders and Deaf Education

First Advisor

Robert A. Portnoy

Keywords

auditory, errors, pica, clinician, rehabilitative, Vari speech, comprehension

Abstract

The aphasic patient's need for a decreased presentation rate of auditory stimuli has been documented by the researcher, clinician, and aphasic individual throughout the literature. The dilemma arises in attempting to develop an optimal form of presentation for slowed speech input to the aphasic individual. Five adult aphasic subjects were presented the Token Test under three conditions of treatment: 20% expanded speech utilizing the Lexicon Vari Speech II and presented through the use of a tape recorder, a tape recording of the examiner's attempt to slow speech, and slowed speech presentation live voice. Obtained scores indicated a significant difference between the three testing conditions. The live voice and tape recorded presentations provided optimal listening conditions for four of the five subjects. The results can be interpreted through comparisons of the method utilized by the Vari Speech II to slow speech (by prolonging phonemes within words) and the method utilized by the examiner to slow speech (increased interword pause time). The implications of the results indicate that by slowing speech input to the aphasic individual through the .use of increasing interword pause time, the clinician can improve the person's comprehension of auditorally presented material.

Document Type

Restricted Thesis

Recommended Citation

Colick, Edie Renee, "The Effects of Three Conditions of Slowed Presentation Rate on the Auditory Comprehension of Aphasic Adults as Measured by the Token Test" (1981). All Theses, Dissertations, and Capstone Projects. 12.
https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/all-etds/12