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To target improvement in word retrieval skills, the Semantic Feature Analysis (SFA) treatment method is used. This method uses a chart to analyze features of a visually presented item and the client is instructed to use the chart to produce features of the target item which should result in the identification of the item’s name. This method uses clinician guidance along with cues elicited from the chart which should fade with consistent use of the model. Over time SFA has evolved and been modified depending on the client’s skill and need for cueing. Modifications include semantic feature generation (SFG) which requires the client to generate the semantic features of a target and semantic feature review (SFR) which requires client to recognize and state if the semantic features generated by the clinician are appropriate for the target. Both treatment methods have shown to improve noun naming in patients with various types of fluent and nonfluent aphasia. Generalization was seen to be maintained with clients who were treated using SFG while less were seen to maintain generalization using SFR.

Boyle, Mary. (2010). Semantic Feature Analysis Treatment for Aphasic Word Retrieval Impairments: What’s in a Name?. Topics in stroke rehabilitation. 17. 411-22. 10.1310/tsr1706-411.

– Marykate K.