Assessing Language - Speech
November 7th, 2019
Comprehension
Written comprehension - show a written instruction, e.g.
Simple verbal comprehension - name objects such as pen, watch and key, and ask the patient to point to them.
Complex verbal comprehension - ask the patient to take a piece of paper into their right hand, fold it in half and then place the paper onto the floor.
Conceptual comprehension (understanding) - show the patient the same pen, watch and key as above and ask them to point to the object that shows the passage of time.
Word Repetition
How to Assess
Ask the patient to repeat back words or sentences of increasing complexity.- Orange
- Watch
- Hippopotamus
- Aubergine
- Emerald
- Perimeter
- No ifs, ands or buts
- British Constitution
- The orchestra played and the audience applauded
Significance
- Patients may not be able to repeat the terms back due to dysarthria, dysphasia, confusion or poor compliance.
Object Naming
Items around the room - point to objects and ask the patient to name them. Avoid frequently named items such as pen and watch - ask them to name objects such as cufflink or stethoscope.
Pictures of items - show drawings of objects and ask the patient to name them.
The Boston Naming Test (BNT) is an example of a tool used to assess word retrieval in brain damaged patients.
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