Results of a survey made available to SIG 2 and SIG 15 affiliates via the SIG listservs revealed information on direct and indirect interventions utilized for persons with dementia-based communication disorders. Fifty-eight practicing speech-language pathologists (SLPs) participated and reported using the following direct interventions most frequently: specific verbal instruction, cognitive stimulation, memory wallet, spaced retrieval, and errorless learning. The overwhelming majority of participants utilized caregiver training as the most frequent indirect technique. Barriers and facilitators to providing intervention for persons with dementia-related communication disorders were identified.
This article explores the experiences of communication partners of individuals with aphasia. The social model of aphasia intervention provided a useful framework when addressing the impact of the aphasic person's environment on the success of communication attempts. The communication partners perceived strategies such as maintaining a routine, using multiple communication modalities, and using targeted questions as helpful. Behaviors of the communication partners were considered just as important to establishing effective communication, including active listening, patience, and a genuine desire to perceive the message of the aphasic individual. Implications for practical applications and future research are outlined.
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