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Following the diagnosis of an internal hydrocephalus in a child, parents and doctors alike are primarily concerned about the future development of the little patient. It is for this reason that we have investigated a number of factors that might be of assistance in obtaining the above information.

A sequence analysis of restricted associative responses (animals, food and things to be seen on the street) was done for 50 aphasic and 50 control Ss. The two groups were equated with respect to age, sex and educational level. In aphasics the number of given associations diminuishes approximately in direct proportion to the elapsed time, whilst in normal controls the decrease of associations is dependent on the square-root of time; the starting-level of the aphasics is lower. The results suggest both a qualitative and a quantitative change in the mechanism producing associations in aphasia.