• Faiza Badar, Sajida Naz, Nazia Mumtaz, Muhammad Naveed Babur, and Ghulam Saqulain.
• Ms. Faiza Badar, MS (SLP) Manager, Rehabilitation Department, Shifa International Hospital, Islamabad, Pakistan.
• Pak J Med Sci. 2021 Sep 1; 37 (5): 1461-1466.

ObjectivesTo explore current aphasia assessment practices and barriers among Pakistani speech language pathologists.MethodsDescriptive study design with qualitative parameters was used. Participants were identified using purposive sampling over a period of eight months from 1st December 2018 to 31st July 2019. Sample comprised of ten speech-language pathologists with least five years' experience of working with aphasic clients from four major cities of Pakistan including Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore and Peshawar. Study included in depth interviews using a self-structured interview guide with probe questions. Data recorded was transcribed and thematic analyses were drawn manually.ResultsThematic analysis revealed that most Speech language pathologists rely heavily on informal assessment techniques. With no aphasia assessment tool available in Urdu language, no consensus as to the optimal evaluation strategy or tool for aphasia assessment was noted. However, need for such tool was highlighted by all participants. Hence, non-availability of standardized and culturally appropriate assessment tool in "Urdu" language turned out to be the major barrier in adopting formal assessment for aphasic clients, while time consumed in formal testing remained second most reported issue.ConclusionThere is a dire need of quick aphasia assessment tool in Urdu language with established psychometric properties and culturally appropriate norms.Copyright: © Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences.

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