ABSTRACT
The BNVR is a valid, reliable and sensitive measure of problem-solving ability for individuals with aphasia related to stroke. It is easy and quick to use, sensitive to change, and offers additional information to that in previously published tests about the problem-solving behaviour of individuals post CVA. The authors anticipate that the BNVR test will be useful to clinicians working in a variety of healthcare settings, but it may have an especially important role in the early assessment of individuals with CVA. In instances where the person has poor initiation and problem-solving skills it might be more helpful to work with the carers, rather than the patients, to provide possible strategies to facilitate communication. For example, the carer might learn to offer the individual limited choices rather than expecting them to express a need themselves. More importantly, identifying these deficits and informing carers and other members of the interdisciplinary team may help to reduce the unrealistic expectations that can arise.
