Assessment of Communication Competence in Acquired Communication Disorders: A Systematic Scoping Review
International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology
Aldridge, D., Cahill, L., et al. (2023).
International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 25(2), 306-316.
This systematic scoping review explores the range and availability of assessments used in research to examine functional communication in adults with acquired brain injury.
Motor Accident Insurance Commission (Australia)
1989 to 2019
Assessments extracted from informal and formal peer-reviewed assessment and intervention studies
40 assessment tools extracted from 244 studies
<div>The authors found that, overall, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association Functional Assessment of Communication Skills for Adults (ASHA FACS) and the Goal Attainment Scaling (GAS) emerged as the most "comprehensive and clinically feasible tools for use in the evaluation of communication competence in [acquired communication disorders] ACDs" (p. 314). The Inpatient Functional Communication Interview (IFCI) additionally met all criteria considered for optimal assessment of ACDs.<br><br>Although 40 instruments were found, many were out of print and psychometric data was available for only 32 of these assessments. Additionally, very few were found to be person-centered or to consider multi-modal communication or context of communication measured. Those that did typically were time consuming to administer or interpret. Clinicians may choose between them based on their varying characteristics in time to administer, administration method, or conceptualization.</div>
