Individuals with TBI: Language Processing and Pragmatic Considerations

Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) often present with some degree of compromised language processing (LP). This may impact the rate and accuracy individuals with TBI process language which can lead to pragmatic concerns. This presentation will focus on how each end of LP may impact components of pragmatic language, including but not limited to topic maintenance, turn-taking abilities, relevancy of response, and listening skills. Pragmatic deficits (PD) may impact the ability to create and sustain human connection or participate in vocational settings resulting in negative impacts on quality of life. Although behaviors of accelerated LP may overlap with executive functioning (EF) deficits, embodying a conversation-based treatment approach may be more functional, applicable, and generalizable. Assessment of the relationship between compromised LP and PD may help to create specific, functional goals to address in speech-language therapy within TBI populations to improve treatment outcomes.https://griffinshare.fontbonne.edu/slp-posters-2023/1020/thumbnail.jp