TalkBank

AphasiaBank

This page provides information about the AphasiaBank Standard Discourse Protocol in English. It is important to administer the whole protocol if possible and adhere to the instructions and script. The materials are configured to permit several different administration scenarios or formats which we outline here. Additional formats are also possible. Choose the administration option that works best for your own situation and your participants.

For clinicians who want use this protocol, these articles can be useful: overview, discourse assessment, and discourse analysis without transcription.

For help transcribing language samples in CHAT format, see the SLP's Guide to CLAN.

1. Teletesting using the AphasiaBank website -- PWAs

In this scenario, the investigator and the participant with aphasia are engaged in a teletesting meeting through Zoom or other videoconferencing software, and the protocol is administered using the AphasiaBank webiste.

• The session should be recorded (locally, not on the cloud) for later analysis and transcription.
• The investigator has one desktop window open with the web-based instructions and script (aphasia).
• The investigator moves through the script until reaching the "picture descriptions" segment of the protocol. At that point, she shares a window with the pictures for the participant to describe.

2. Teletesting using the AphasiaBank website -- Controls

This scenario is the same as in #1, but uses these instructions and script (control) instead.

3. Teletesting using PowerPoint (PPT) -- PWAs

In this scenario, the investigator and the PWA are engaged in a teletesting meeting through Zoom or or other videoconferencing software, and the protocol is administered using PowerPoint.

• The session should be recorded for later analysis and transcription.
• The investigator has a desktop window open with one of these:
  • the web-based instructions and script (aphasia)
  • the PPT aphasia-1 version with the investigator's script in the "Notes" section below each stimulus picture
  • the PPT aphasia-2 version with the investigator's script in the main slide presentation following each stimulus picture.
• The investigator moves through the instructions until reaching the "picture descriptions" segment of the protocol.
• At that point, the investigator asks the PWA to describe pictures, using one of these:
  • the web-based pictures
  • the PPT pictures which should be downloaded prior to testing.

4. PPT Teletesting for Controls

This scenario is the same as in #3, but uses one of these for the investigator's instructions:

• the web-based instructions and script (control)
• the PPT control-1 version with the investigator's script in the "Notes" section below each stimulus picture
• the PPT control-2 version with the investigator's script in the main slide presentation following each stimulus picture.

5. Local Administration with PWAs

In this scenario, the investigator and the PWA are in the same room. The session should be videorecorded for later transcription and analysis. The investigator views and follows the instructions as in #3. The participant can view the pictures on paper (see Protocol Materials below), or on the investigator's shared screen, or on a separate computer. If the participant uses a separate computer, they can use the web-based pictures or the downloaded PPT pictures.

6. Local Administration with Controls

In this scenario, the investigator and the control participant are in the same room. The session should be videorecorded for later transcription and analysis. The investigator views and follows the instructions as in #4. The participant can view the pictures on paper, or on the investigator's shared screen, or on a separate computer. If the participant uses a separate computer, they can use the web-based pictures or the downloaded PPT pictures.

Protocol Materials

Click aphasia to see and/or download all instructions and materials for administering the protocol and associated tests to participants with aphasia.

Click control to see and/or download all instructions and materials for administering the protocol to control participants.

IRB Considerations

These administration options may require that you submit an addendum with modifications to your existing IRB or plan ahead if you have not yet submitted. For example:

• Consider how you will get a signed informed consent form from the participant and be sure to get verbal consent on the recording.
• If recording in Zoom or some other format, be sure the file is recorded locally and not on the cloud.