Abstract

In this paper we look back on the stages of one of the main research programs led by Bruno Bara: the development of ABaCo, a clinical tool for the assessment of communication abilities based on the Theory of Cognitive Pragmatics. We will describe the various steps of the design, construction, and validation of the battery, and report the results of its application to different groups of patients with neurological and neuropsychiatric disorders. ABaCo has been used as a measure of communication abilities in many research studies and has expanded the options for clinical investigation in an area so crucial for the wellbeing of patients.