Word Retrieval Deficits
Symptoms:
- Difficulty retrieving a known word in a sufficient amount of time.
- Difficulty retrieving correct answers to oral questions or on written assignments.
- Word substitution for a target word, tendency to speak around the word, admission that “I know it, but I can’t think of it”.
- Use of fillers such as “um” while trying to think of the word.
- Excessive use of vague language such as “thing” and “it”.
- Difficulty maintaining the quick pace of conversations.
Treatment:
A speech language pathologist can help determine the nature of the difficulty: slow but accurate retrieval, slow and inaccurate retrieval, or fast and inaccurate retrieval. A child can then be taught a variety of cuing strategies to help them organize their word searches more efficiently and effectively; how to pause during word-finding blocks; how to segment and rehearse target words; and, how to reduce extra verbalizations that may accompany their retrieval difficulties. Some children may need to increase the size and complexity of their overall vocabulary to help them more easily access a target word or compensate for retrieval difficulties.
A speech language pathologist can help determine the nature of the difficulty: slow but accurate retrieval, slow and inaccurate retrieval, or fast and inaccurate retrieval. A child can then be taught a variety of cuing strategies to help them organize their word searches more efficiently and effectively; how to pause during word-finding blocks; how to segment and rehearse target words; and, how to reduce extra verbalizations that may accompany their retrieval difficulties. Some children may need to increase the size and complexity of their overall vocabulary to help them more easily access a target word or compensate for retrieval difficulties.