Keywords

Aphasia, Apple II (Computer)

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of an especially designed small-stepped treatment program utilizing the Apple II microcomputer on the graphic output of eight chronically aphasic adults. The subjects manifested moderate/ severe to severe communicative impairment as determined by performance on the Aphasic Language Performance Scales (ALPS) (Keenan and Brassell, 1974) and were receiving management at the Communicative disorders Clinic at the University of Central Florida. Pretreatment status of each subject was measured via a visual and hearing screening. In addition, the Aphasia Language Performance Scales were administered as an indicant of overall communicative ability. Spelling proficiency was measured via a written spelling test. Each subject then initiated a ten-session (one-half hour twice weekly) treatment program. Treatment objective progressed in increasingly complex small steps from prelinguistic (letter-matching) through linguistic (spelling single words) levels. The Apple II microcomputer was utilized in the areas of stimulus presentation, response contingency, and data keeping. Subsequent to the completion of the treatment condition, the Aphasia Language Performance Scales (Keenan and Brassell, 1974) and the written spelling test were readministered to each subject. Pretreatment and post-treatment scores were subjected to statistic analysis. Findings indicated a significant correlation between pretreatment scores on the Aphasia Language Performance Scales (Keenan and Brassell, 1974). Significant changes were observed in pretreatment and post-treatment written spelling test scores with evidence that skills learned on the computer keyboard transferred to manual writing. The implications of the results of this study were discussed within the framework of future treatment and research in the area of aphasia.

Notes

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Graduation Date

1983

Advisor

Bollinger, Rick L.

Degree

Master of Science (M.S.)

College

College of Health

Degree Program

Communicative Disorders

Format

PDF

Pages

101 p.

Language

English

Rights

Public Domain

Length of Campus-only Access

None

Access Status

Masters Thesis (Open Access)

Identifier

DP0014100

Accessibility Status

Searchable text

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