Characterizing social communication changes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Speech and language impairments are well-established in individuals with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). However, knowledge about particular aspects of social communication and everyday conversational abilities is limited.

To investigate self- and informant-report ratings of social communicative abilities in ALS participants and matched healthy controls.

Thirty-two participants with ALS and 24 controls completed the La Trobe Communication Questionnaire (LCQ). Participants nominated a close other to provide an informant report on the LCQ. Demographic and clinical information was also collected.

Informant ratings indicated greater difficulties in conversational initiation, effectiveness and partner sensitivity for ALS participants compared with controls. ALS participants did not rate their social communicative abilities as poorer than controls and self-reports only differed from informant ratings in the control group. LCQ scores were not significantly correlated with clinical/functional variables.

Social communication can be reduced in ALS and individuals may lack insight into these difficulties. In order to understand and provide targeted interventions for such difficulties, clinical speech and language assessment should incorporate social communication assessment, including both a self- and informant-report format.