Word retrieval strategies by individuals with traumatic brain injury
Rebecca Burke · Lincoln (University of Nebraska) · 2002
Augmentative and alternative communication devices have played an important role in enabling individuals with speech disabilities to communicate with those around them and be active members of society. Word retrieval strategies are an important consideration in programming AAC devices. Limited research has been conducted to investigate the rate, accuracy, a preference for three word retrieval strategies. Three strategies of word retrieval were studied—place, topic, and alphabet. The participants were twelve individuals with traumatic brain injuries who faced ongoing cognitive-communication challenges. The results revealed that when the participants used the word retrieval strategy of alphabet, they were significantly more accurate and rapid than when they used the strategy of place or topic. The survivors of traumatic brain injury preferred the topic strategy. Clinical implications are discussed.