Dialectally-sensitive norms of the Spanish version of Main Concept Analysis (Span-MCA) for quantifying neurogenically impaired spoken discourse

Aphasia is an acquired language impairment caused by damage in the regions of brain that support language. The Main Concept Analysis (MCA; Kong, 2016b) a published formal assessment battery allows quantification presence, accuracy, completeness, and efficiency content spoken discourse produced persons with aphasia (PWA). It utilizes sequential picture description task (with four sets pictures) for sample elicitation. MCA results can also be used clinically targeting appropriate interventions aphasic output. purpose this research to develop Spanish adaptation (i.e., Span-MCA) establishing normative data based on native unimpaired speakers from different dialect origins (Central American Caribbean, Andean-Pacific, Mexican, Central-Southern Peninsular regions). A total 91 participants consisted age groups, education levels, were recruited establish dialect-specific norms scoring criteria Span-MCA, including target main concepts corresponding lexical items related sets. Span-MCA was applied one pilot PWA. suggested who younger or higher level levels significantly more accurate complete their discourse. application PWA successfully identified impaired performance, as compared dialectally-sensitive established study. This study highlighted clinical value supplement evaluate intervention speech-language pathologists healthcare practitioners.