Speech–language therapists’ process of including significant others in aphasia rehabilitation

Abstract

If SLTs perceived work with significant others as a feasible necessity, rather than as a challenging bonus, they could be more inclined to include family and friends within therapy with the aim to improve their communication with the person with aphasia. SLTs could also be more satisfied with their practice. In order to operate these changes in perceptions, we suggest that SLT curriculums include in-depth training about family intervention, a redefinition of the concept of patient, and exploration of SLTs' beliefs and emotions related to significant others.

Delivering communication strategy training for people with aphasia: what is current clinical practice?

“…() and Hallé et al . () studies. Comments from our focus group suggested SLTs felt CPs were often reluctant to participate.…”

“…) and a smaller Canadian study (Hallé et al . ) touched on CST practices when they explored SLT practices with family members. Johansson et al.’s () survey of 206 SLTs revealed 48% of respondents met with families, on average two to three times, with only 17% of these encounters dedicated to CST for families.…”

“…Johansson et al.’s () survey of 206 SLTs revealed 48% of respondents met with families, on average two to three times, with only 17% of these encounters dedicated to CST for families. Similarly low levels of CP‐CST were noted in Hallé et al .’s () study; just one of eight participants in their semi‐structured interview described frequently observing the ‘conversations the person with aphasia had with a family member for “excesses” and “absences” in the dyad's communication’ (757). The other SLTs primarily focused on the PwA's linguistic impairment and communicative success.…”

‘Now it is about me having to learn something ….’ Partners’ experiences with a Dutch conversation partner training programme (PACT)

“…, Hallé et al . ). The acknowledgement of conversation as a collaborative act has been described as a requirement for CPT candidacy (Turner and Whitworth ).…”

“…However, while CPT has been acknowledged as an area of expertise available to SLTs, this group of professionals has not been providing this training regularly in clinical practice (Hallé et al . , Johansson et al . ).…”