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Background: Speech segmentation is one of the initial and mandatory phases of language learning. Although some people with aphasia have shown a preserved ability to learn novel words, their speech segmentation abilities have not been explored. Aims: We examined the ability of individuals with chronic aphasia to segment words from running speech via statistical learning. We also explored the relationships between speech segmentation and aphasia severity, and short-term memory capacity. We further examined the role of lesion location in speech segmentation and short-term memory performance. Methods & Procedures: The experimental task was first validated with a group of young adults (n = 120). Participants with chronic aphasia (n = 14) were exposed to an artificial language and were evaluated in their ability to segment words using a speech segmentation test. Their performance was contrasted against chance level and compared to that of a group of elderly matched controls (n = 14) using group and case-by-case analyses. Outcomes & Results: As a group, participants with aphasia were significantly above chance level in their ability to segment words from the novel language and did not significantly differ from the group of elderly controls. Speech segmentation ability in the aphasic participants was not associated with aphasia severity although it significantly correlated with word pointing span, a measure of verbal short-term memory. Case-by-case analyses identified four individuals with aphasia who performed above chance level on the speech segmentation task, all with predominantly posterior lesions and mild fluent aphasia. Their short-term memory capacity was also better preserved than in the rest of the group. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that speech segmentation via statistical learning can remain functional in people with chronic aphasia and suggest that this initial language learning mechanism is associated with the functionality of the verbal short-term memory system and the integrity of the left inferior frontal region. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: In the field of health care services, resource allocation is increasingly determined based on a population needs model. Although service needs models have been developed for adults with substance use problems, it would seem inappropriate to apply them indiscriminately to young people., Method: The method used proposes six steps: (1) targeting the population, (2) estimating the proportion of the population affected by substance misuse and (3) the proportion of youths who should receive services, (4) identifying categories of services, (5) estimating the proportions of youths who should have access to each category of services, and (6) applying the model to real use of services by youths to recalibrate it., Results: Youths ages 12-17 from the Province of Québec were classified within a tiered model comprising four levels of substance use severity. Youths in need of services varied from 38% (weak response) to 95% (high response) for the highest severity cases. Service categories retained are detoxification/intoxication, outpatient, and residential, with each one being subdivided into four categories. The proportion of youths from each tier who should access categories and subcategories of services varied widely. After a pre-experimentation, the model was adjusted., Conclusions: The model can be applied in different jurisdictions, with the caution of adjusting prevalence to local reality. Further improvement will be based on more accurate information concerning the path of clients through services, better strategies to reach youths in need of services, and increased knowledge of optimal service categories. Models adapted to low- or moderate-income countries, where the health care system has minimal services in the areas of mental health and addiction, should be developed.