Steps to Success with Technology for Individuals with Aphasia

Abstract

This article discusses how the Snyder Center for Aphasia Life Enhancement, an aphasia center in Baltimore, MD, currently uses technology in its programming to empower individuals with aphasia to actively participate in communications with families, friends, and the community. We describe the steps used to promote successful use of technology in everyday life. This process includes: (1) identifying a client's strongest modality/modalities for communication; (2) matching the individual's strengths with their personal goals and preferences; (3) developing a way to determine personal goals for technology use; and (4) selecting and training use of technologies that will support them in achieving their goals. Three brief case studies are presented to demonstrate the process by which programs were judged to be “best fits” for each member, and permitted them to reach a self-chosen goal. Finally, the steps that promoted successful learning and generalization to everyday life are described.

Keywords

aphasia - technology - life participation

• References

• 1 Todic O. The Blog, ASHA, & Aphasia Corner Service. 2010. Available at: http://www.aphasiacorner.com . Accessed August 24, 2011
• 2 YouTube. SCALE Channel SCALEVision. 2012. Available at: http://www.youtube.com/user/scalebaltimore . Accessed April 23, 2012
• 3 Gomory A. Apps for older adults. 2011. Available at: http://www.closingthegap.com/solutions/articles . Accessed August 24, 2011
• 4 Bhogal SK, Teasell R, Speechley M. Intensity of aphasia therapy, impact on recovery. Stroke 2003; 34 (4) 987-993
• 5 Allen M, McGrenere J, Purves B. The field evaluation of a mobile digital image communication application designed for people with aphasia. ACM Trans on Access Comp 2008; 1: 26
• 6 Davies R, Marcella S, McGrenere J, Purves B. The ethnographically informed participatory design of a PDA application to support communication. Proceedings of ACM ASSETS 2004; 153-160
• 7 Kane SK, Wobbrock JO, Harniss M, Johnson KL. TrueKeys: identifying and correcting typing errors for people with motor impairments. In Proceedings of the 13th international conference on intelligent user interfaces; 2008; ACM, New York, NY;349–352
• 8 Sigafoos J, York J. Using ecological inventories to promote functional communication. In: Reichle J, York J, Sigafoos J, eds. Implementing Augmentative and Alternative Communication. Baltimore: Paul H. Brookes; 1991: 61-70
• 9 McGrenere J, Davies R, Findlater L , et al. Insights from the Aphasia Project: designing technology for and with people who have aphasia. Proceedings of CUU 2003, ACM Press; 112–118
• 10 LPAA Project Group. Life participation approach to aphasia: a statement of values for the future. In: Chapey R, ed. Language Intervention Strategies in Aphasia and Related Neurogenic Communication Disorders. 4th ed. Baltimore: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2001: 235-245
• 11 GoQ. Home of WordQ + SpeakQ. Available at: http://www.goqsoftware.com . Accessed April 27, 2012
• 12 SentenceShaper. Available at: http://www.sentenceshaper.com . Accessed April 27, 2012
• 13 Lingraphica. Available at: http://www.aphasia.com . Accessed April 27, 2012
• 14 Speak-in-motion-VAST. Available at: http://www.speakinmotion.com . Accessed April 27, 2012
• 15 McCall D, Cox DM, Shelton JR, Weinrich M. The influence of syntactic and semantic information on picture-naming performance in aphasic patients. Aphasiology 1997; 11: 581-600
• 16 Linebarger MC, Schwartz MF, Saffran EM. Sensitivity to grammatical structure in so-called agrammatic aphasics. Cognition 1983; 13 (3) 361-392
• 17 Polelle D. Computerized oral reading intervention: effects on language and reading in persons with alexia after stroke [Ph.D. dissertation]. Ann Arbor, MI: ProQuest, UMI Dissertation Publishing; UMI No 3417343; 2010
• 18 Linebarger MC, McCall D, Berndt RS. The role of processing support in the remediation of aphasic language production disorders. Cogn Neuropsychol 2004; 21 (2) 267-282
• 19 Linebarger MC, Schwartz MF. AAC for hypothesis testing and treatment of aphasic language production: lessons from a “processing prosthesis.”. Aphasiology 2005; 19: 930-942
• 20 Linebarger MC, McCall D, Virata T, Berndt RS. Widening the temporal window: processing support in the treatment of aphasic language production. Brain Lang 2007; 100 (1) 53-68
• 21 McCall D, Virata T, Linebarger M, Berndt RS. Integrating technology and targeted treatment to improve narrative production in aphasia: a case study. Aphasiology 2009; 23: 438-461
• 22 Linebarger MC, Schwartz MF, Kohen SE. Computer-based training of language production: an exploratory study. Neuropsychol Rehabil 2000; 11: 57-96
• 23 Steele RD. Benefits of advanced AAC technology uses to adults with acquired aphasia. AAC Perspectives, ASHA SID-12 2004; 13: 3-7
• 24 Kagan A. Supported conversation for adults with aphasia: methods and resources for training conversation partners. Aphasiology 1998; 12: 816-830
• 25 Holland AL, Halper AS, Cherney LR. Tell me your story: analysis of script topics selected by persons with aphasia. Am J Speech Lang Pathol 2010; 19 (3) 198-203
• 26 Youmans G, Holland A, Munoz M, Bourgeois M. Script training and automaticity in two individuals with aphasia. Aphasiology 2005; 19: 425-450
• 27 Fridriksson J, Baker JM, Whiteside J , et al. Treating visual speech perception to improve speech production in nonfluent aphasia. Stroke 2009; 40 (3) 853-858
• 28 Holland A, Weinberg P, Dittelman J. How to use apps clinically in the treatment of aphasia. Semin Speech Lang 2012; 33 (3) 223-233