Can we improve word retrieval by improving attention? I met some lovely young women at ISHA who are trying to answer that question. They are students at St. Ambrose University in Davenport, Iowa. Their research, presented as a SIRCA (Student Initiated Research & Clinical Application) poster, found an increase in naming abilities for an 86 year old post-stroke woman who participated in Lumosity (http://www.lumosity.com/). Before you yell at me and say, “Wait! This is a victim of aphasia! This is not a child who has a specific word retrieval difficulty!” Yes, I know! And I know that the theoretical models for word finding in children are different than those for the localized brain trauma in aphasia. But I think we can learn from both models.
The research highlighted 2 findings following intervention with a Lumosity program designed to increase attention:
(1) Their patient was able to name more items in an abstract category, and
(2) Their patient demonstrated increased accuracy during the computer activity, suggesting “an improvement in attentional abilities.”
I contend that children benefit more from word finding therapy (or any kind of speech/language therapy, for that matter) when they are engaged and involved. If computer-assisted intervention can supplement traditional therapy, improve attention, and provide motivation, shouldn’t we be open to it? More research is needed. But this research is pointing us in the right direction. Kudos, ladies!