As the country’s population continues to age, speech-language pathologists (SLPs) may find themselves working with older individuals, including those diagnosed with aphasia. In recognition of National Aphasia Awareness Month, we’re featuring recently published resources from ASHA Journals that can help you provide treatment to individuals with aphasia.
Tech Tools for Aphasia
The Efficacy and Utility of Constant Therapy in Poststroke Aphasia Rehabilitation: Traditional high-intensity aphasia practice presents logistical challenges for individuals after a stroke. Find out how a software application allows people with aphasia to access home-based digital therapy whenever they choose to, helping reach more people with neurological disorders.
ABCD: A Simulation Method for Accelerating Conversational Agents With Applications in Aphasia Therapy: Response elaboration training (RET) can improve the communication functions of clients with aphasia, but clinicians may not have the time or resources to deliver this therapy. The authors of this study created an artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot trained on aphasic errors in order to simulate patient–clinician dialogue and implement RET.
Aphasia Conversation Groups
The Benefits of Conversation Group Treatment for Individuals With Chronic Aphasia: Updated Evidence From a Multisite Randomized Controlled Trial on Measures of Language and Communication: Group conversation therapy can be a cost-effective way to help individuals with aphasia improve communication and reduce social isolation. In this article, researchers compared the effectiveness of large-group treatment to working with pairs of people living with aphasia.
Improving Language in Individual Conversation-Level Therapy: Group and Individual Results of ECoLoGiC Treatment for People With Moderate and Severe Aphasia: Researchers developed a group intervention aimed at improving conversational language in people with aphasia. Results were promising, with most participants applying these skills in conversationand reducing their aphasia severity.
Sentence and Sound Production Treatment
Maximizing Generalization of Combined Treatment for Mild Aphasia and Apraxia: Evidence From Three Case Studies: Nearly half of all people with chronic aphasia also present with apraxia of speech. Learn about an integrated treatment approach for language and speech outcomes in people with mild aphasia and apraxia.
Syntax Treatment for Aphasia Recovery: Implicit Learning Through Structural Priming: In addition to language difficulties, people with aphasia also have difficulty accessing, using, and even understanding grammar. These authors developed a new treatment method for sentence production deficits that can be tailored for clients with aphasia.
United for Aphasia Awareness
Once you’ve checked out these resources, don’t miss last year’s Special Issue on Clinical Aphasiology from AJSLP! The forum contains 14 clinically focused articles on a variety of topics in aphasia.
The theme of this year’s National Aphasia Awareness Month is “United for Aphasia Awareness.” We hope you’ll join with ASHA Journals and professionals around the country this month to advocate for and highlight the services you provide for people with aphasia.
