Case Examples

Diagnostic and severity statement examples:

1.         A 45-year-old female suffered a left embolic CVA two months ago.  She received individual speech-language therapy as an inpatient in the rehabilitation center.  She was discharged last week and is looking for outpatient services.  You administer the WAB and determine that she has difficulty with auditory comprehension of complex, abstract questions and following 4-step commands.  She experienced periodic word-finding difficulties during confrontational naming and during conversation.  She accurately comprehended print at the single word and short phrase level.  She experienced difficulty with reading comprehension at the sentence level.  She accurate wrote her name and address, the alphabet, and the numerals 1-20.  She experienced difficulty generating words, phrases and sentences independently.  She was successful spelling simple, common words (e.g., milk, bread) but has difficulty with other words (e.g., computer, school).

She presents with a XX aphasia.

2.         A 70-year-old male had a left thrombolic CVA three weeks ago.  You administer the BDAE and determine that he has significant difficulty answering yes/no questions and following one-step commands.  He produces jargon with an occasional real word.  He is alert and attempts to communicate with facial expressions and gestures.  He did not appear to understand the printed word.  He attempted to copy his name but was unsuccessful.

He presents with a XX aphasia.

Prognostic statement examples:

1.         A 25-year-old male had a left hemorrhagic stroke.  He is one year post-onset.  He is motivated to improve his communication skills.  He has a diagnosis of mild receptive and moderate expressive aphasia.  He has good family support.

His prognosis for improving communication functioning is XX based on XX.

2.         A 55-year-old male had a left embolic stroke secondary to a cocaine overdose.  He is three months post-onset.  He has a diagnosis of moderate receptive and severe expressive aphasia.  He does not have any family or friends who are currently active in his life.  He reports being motivated for speech-language therapy.

His prognosis for improving communication functioning is XX based on XX.

3.         A 95-year-old female had a left thrombolic stroke 4 weeks ago.  She has COPD, diabetes, a history of heart failure, and dementia.  She has a moderate receptive and expressive aphasia.  She has good family support.

His prognosis for improving communication functioning is XX based on XX.