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Updated: Jun 28, 2026
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Lexical Decision Task for Studying Written Word Recognition in Adults with and without Dementia or Mild Cognitive Impairment
Published on: June 25, 2019
Automatic word recognition: the validity of a universally accessible assessment task
Karen A Erickson1, Sally A Clendon, James W Cunningham
1Center for Literacy and Disability Studies, CB# 7335, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC 27599-7335, USA. kae@med.unc.edu
Augmentative and Alternative Communication (Baltimore, Md. : 1985)
|October 22, 2008
Summary
This study validates a new word recognition task for individuals with complex communication needs. The experimental task, which doesn't require speaking, shows promising results for assessing automatic word recognition skills.
Area of Science:
- Speech and Language Pathology
- Educational Psychology
Background:
- Assessing automatic word recognition is crucial for early literacy development.
- Individuals with complex communication needs (CCN) often face challenges with traditional assessment methods requiring oral responses.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the validity of an experimental word recognition task for individuals with CCN.
- To determine if the experimental task accurately measures automatic word recognition skills without requiring a spoken response.
Main Methods:
- 78 students in kindergarten through second grade without communication impairments participated.
- Students completed a standard oral word recognition task (words presented <0.25s).
- The same students completed an experimental task not requiring a spoken response.
Main Results:
- Performance scores on both tasks decreased as expected, supporting validity.
- A significant correlation was found between the standard and experimental tasks.
- Results suggest both tasks measure the same underlying skill.
Conclusions:
- The experimental task demonstrates validity for assessing automatic word recognition.
- This task offers a promising alternative for individuals with CCN.
- Further research and development are encouraged for this innovative assessment tool.
