Clinically Applicable Sociolinguistic Assessment for Cognitive-Communication Disorders

Abstract

Purpose: The third International Cognitive-Communication Disorders Conference was held in early 2022, providing an opportunity for researchers and clinicians to discuss management of cognitive-communication disorders (CCDs). Presentations that addressed social discourse initiated broader conversations about implementing sociolinguistic methods in research and clinical contexts. Given the heterogeneity of CCDs and sociocultural contexts, a person-centered approach is needed. Sociolinguistic methods are inherently relevant and salient to the individual's communication context and partners. Sociolinguistic analyses provide information about language skills, cognitive-communication skills, and social cognition. The purpose of this article is to share a model of social communication and provide descriptions of current methods that can be used by researchers and clinicians to capture the complexity of social communication, thereby advancing our knowledge and practice. Conclusion: Although there is a growing literature base that supports the inclusion of sociolinguistic methods, there remains a disconnect between the literature and clinical application that current researchers and practitioners have an opportunity to address. Supplemental Material: https://doi.org/10.23641/asha.21614268