Multivariate comparison of Howes' and Weisenburg and McBride's models of aphasia on the neurosensory center comprehensive examination.

The verbal production of 57 aphasic patients was rated and used to assign these patients into two sets of groups reflecting Howes' and Weisenburg and McBride's models of aphasia. Test scores covering a broad range of communication skills and modalities were compared between these groups to examine the assumption that salient features of verbal production could be used to establish groups which would show significant differences on other important linguistic variables. Neither Howes' nor Weisenburg and McBride's model provided groups showing significant multivariate differences. It was suggested that these models be improved by expanding them to include other important psycholinguistic components of language skills. Since these models did not account for significant between group differences, caution was suggested in using these models for assessment or treatment purposes.