SKILL: Writing
DIFFICULTY: 1/5
LEVELS: 12 based on word length and spelling regularity
BRIEF RATIONALE: This treatment works on visual letter matching and typing in the context of single words.
In Typing Single Words, you will see a picture, hear the word, and see the written word. You will copy the word via typing using the keyboard. You can expand the image using the arrows in the lower-right corner. You can also replay the audio using the audio button at any time. The treatment auto-adjusts in difficulty based on performance.
HINT: A hint button is available in the lower-left corner of the screen to auto-fill the first empty space with the correct letter. Using the hint will mark the item as incorrect (as it was not answered independently), but may help you complete the written word.
FOR THE CLINICIAN:
Copying target words paired with images is intended to strengthen semantic representations, as in the Anagram, Copy, and Recall Treatment (ACRT) and Copy and Recall Treatment (CART) approaches. Consider providing semantic information about the target word during treatment to reinforce associations between its graphemic representation and meaning. For example, you might say, “A king lives in a castle and wears a crown.” You can also ask the patient to repeat the target word aloud to simultaneously target spoken naming (Hashimoto, 2020). Finally, encourage patients to review the typed word before submitting it as a strategy for identifying and reducing errors.
Selected References:
- Beeson, P. M., Hirsch, F. M., & Rewega, M. A. (2002). Successful single-word writing treatment: Experimental analyses of four cases. Aphasiology, 16(4–6), 473–491.
- Beeson, P. M., Rising, K., & Volk, J. (2003). Writing treatment for severe aphasia. Journal of Speech, Language, and Hearing Research, 46(5), 1038–1060.
- Biddau, F., Brisotto, C., Innocenti, T., Ranaldi, S., Meneghello, F., D’Imperio, D., & Nordio, S. (2023). Speech and language therapy for acquired Central Dysgraphia in neurological patients: A systematic review to describe and identify trainings for clinical practice. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 32(2), 762–785.
- Hashimoto, N. (2020). The use of written naming and repetition to treat naming deficits in Aphasia. American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 29(1), 216–237.