No abstract

In its early stages, Parkinson's disease (P.D.) may be difficult to distinguish from major depression (M.D.) leading to inappropriate management. Both illnesses are characterized by psychomotor retardation. The neurovegetative symptoms used to diagnose M.D. are not specific and in P.D. may be due to the physical illness itself. Currently, differentiation of the two disorders relies on subjective clinical observation. Improved diagnostic accuracy based on more objective data is needed. To this end, this study used computerized acoustic analysis to contrast speech patterns in P.D. and M.D. The sample consisted of 30 P.D. patients without depression or dementia, 30 patients with uncomplicated M.D., and 31 normal controls, each 60 years of age or over. Of the acoustic variables studied, M.D. patients had significantly reduced rates of speech compared with P.D. patients. The data suggest that this temporal measure of speech may be useful in the differentiation of P.D. and M.D.

No abstract

Aphasia has an eåect on both the transactional functions (e.g. exchanging information) and the interactional functions (e.g. establishing relationships) of communication. The goal of the present study was to explore the perceptions of physicians, spouses and adolescents of the eåect of aphasia on both functions of communication and to identify their compensatory strategies. This study con®rms: (1) that the interactional function of communication and its subsequent breakdown in aphasia should not be minimised ; and (2) that the perceived eåect of aphasia on this function is in¯uenced by the interlocutor. Family members perceived a greater eåect of aphasia on interactional functions while physicians were generally preoccupied with the transactional functions. The importance of addressing both functions of communication as well as the importance of intervening at the interlocutor level to reduce the situations of handicap is stressed.

Speech-language pathologists and social workers at the three Aphasia Centres in Ontario, Canada, work in partnership with aphasic adults and their families to increase communicative access to participation in various aspects of social and community life. The delivery of optimal service in this context requires an expansion of the traditional role played by speech-language pathologists in the field of aphasia. Illustrative ideas, activities, and programs developed by the three centers are described with emphasis on the benefits of a professional partnership between the professions of speech-language pathology and social work.