Bibliographic Details
| Title: |
Posttraumatic Amnesia and Language Impairments: Reported Diagnostic Practices of Hospital-Based Speech-Language Pathologists. |
| Authors: |
Miller, Jennifer1,2 jennifer.miller@sai.rehab, Schliep, Megan E.2,3 |
| Source: |
American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology. Jul2026, Vol. 35 Issue 4, p1644-1666. 23p. |
| Subject Terms: |
*Speech therapists, *Language & languages, *Aphasia, *Research methodology, *Speech evaluation, *Cognition, Language disorder diagnosis, Cross-sectional method, Professional practice, Questionnaires, Hospitals, Descriptive statistics, Cognition disorders, Brain injuries, Amnesia, Data analysis software, Psychosocial factors |
| Geographic Terms: |
United States |
| Abstract: |
Purpose: Given the qualitative language differences observed during posttraumatic amnesia (PTA) after traumatic brain injury (TBI), along with the limited research base to guide clinical practice during PTA, this study aimed to (1) identify current speech-language pathologist (SLP) assessment and diagnostic practices for language dysfunction during PTA and (2) characterize the diagnostic terminology SLPs apply to PTA-associated language impairments. Method: SLPs in the United States who provide clinical services to adults with neurologic communication impairments in hospital settings completed a crosssectional online survey regarding their clinical practices and knowledge. Qualitative data were organized into broad categories using content analysis to summarize the common diagnostic themes applied by participants. Data were analyzed descriptively. Results: Data from 83 SLPs revealed wide variability in reported knowledge and practice patterns for language and PTA assessment. Diagnostic terminology also varied considerably; for example, respondents reported using terminology for cognition (67%), language (47%), confusion (27%), and aphasia (18%) when labeling language impairments associated with transient confusion/PTA. Conclusions: These results expand on previous findings demonstrating inconsistencies in SLPs' knowledge and service delivery for individuals with TBI by examining diagnostic practices and terminology for language impairments during PTA. Specialized training in TBI is needed among SLPs, and guidelines need to be developed and disseminated to clinicians to support differential diagnosis and clinical decision making. Adoption of common diagnostic language to describe language impairments related to PTA is warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR] |
|
Copyright of American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology is the property of American Speech-Language-Hearing Association and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.) |
| Database: |
Education Research Complete |
