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Acquired alexia: Lessons from successful treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  01 November 1998

PELAGIE M. BEESON
Affiliation:
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ
DEBORAH INSALACO
Affiliation:
University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ

Abstract

Two individuals with anomic aphasia and acquired alexia were each provided treatment for their reading impairment. Although reading of single words in isolation was fairly accurate, their text reading was slow and effortful, including functor substitutions and semantic errors. Prior to treatment, reading reaction times for single words showed grammatical class and word-length effects. Both patients responded positively to a treatment protocol that included two phases: (1) multiple oral rereading of text, and (2) reading phrase-formatted text that had increased spacing between phrasal clauses. Their reading rates for text improved while maintaining good comprehension. Following treatment, reading reaction times for single words showed the elimination of grammatical class and word-length effects, suggesting improved access to word forms, particularly functors. (JINS, 1998, 4, 621–635.)

Type
THEMATIC ARTICLES
Copyright
© 1998 The International Neuropsychological Society

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