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Effects of Environmental Props on Communication in Aphasia Group Therapy

Department of Communication Disorders, Eastern Washington University
Spokane, WA

Dana Algeo

Spokane School District
Spokane, WA

Group treatment is a viable intervention for adults with a variety of acquired neuropathologies. Using groups for intervention has been best established with persons with aphasia and allows for a focus on activity limitations and participation restrictions (World Health Organization [WHO], 2001). Wertz et al. (1981) showed that group therapy was at least as good as individual treatment and Elman and Bernstein-Ellis some years later demonstrated the efficacy of aphasia group therapy (1999a). This group therapy has been described as a communication halfway house, providing a safe place to produce less than perfect speech and practice compensatory strategies to communicate in a meaningful way (Helm-Estabrooks & Albert, 2004). Meaningful language goes beyond expressing wants and needs and addresses the social component to language (Light, 1988). The National Aphasia Association aptly describes this social focus of language saying that "the reach of aphasia seldom ends within the domain of language, as our ability to communicate shapes our perception of self and our ability to interact with friends and loved ones" (NAA, 2002). Elman and Bernstein-Ellis also demonstrated this psychosocial benefit of aphasia group therapy (1999b).