Supported conversation Flashcards
What is conversation?
A basic and unique form of communication, essential for maintaining psychosocial wellbeing.
Why is conversation so important?
It’s how we form and maintain social relationships.
In aphasia what do linguistic impairments compromise?
Their ability to engage in conversation.
This impacts their feelings of competence and self-image.
What can conversation breakdown lead to?
It can lead to the breakdown of relationships.
What are some good conversation strategies?
Acknowledgement Tokens- indicate listening and interest e.g. head nods, “uhuh”.
Congruent overlap- mirror part of what they said to verify understanding e.g. “so you’ve told me”
Accomodate AAC e.g. writing, drawing
Where there’s been failure- summarise info, move on and come back to it later.
Don’t repeat question over and over again
Don’t use body language that conveys dissatisfaction
Don’t use vocab they won’t understand.
People with aphasia can still input and be part of a conversation if…
they are given the right support by the people in their environment.
What is supported conversation part of?
The social model approach to aphasia rehabilitation.
What is the aim of supported conversation?
To reduce the psychosocial consequences of aphasia.
Social model therapy goals
High relevance
Enhance Participation
Improve QoL
less emphasis on treating impairment
What does the medical model focus on?
To lessen deficit or impairment.
What does supported conversation involve?
Conversation partner training.
In supported conversation what are the goals?
Help PwA reveal competence to partner
Provide information about aphasia
Teach and use conversation strategies
Develop and use conversation resources
Adopt role of communication facilitator- not teacher.
Act as a resource for PwA- providing a communication “ramp”.
Act as an advocate for PwA.
What is the role of the communication partner?
Encourage and facilitate communication through and means e.g. gesture, drawing, writing, communication books etc.
Accompany their own talk with this too- aids comprehension
Tolerate silence
Allow time for processing
Reflect and expand on information given.
Role of person with aphasia.
They have to have responsibility within the conversation- not be a passive responder.
Demonstrate interest through speech, facial expression, gesture, body posture.
Willing to use compensatory strategies like communication book, maps, apps etc.
Indicate need for repetition, slower rate, further explanation etc.
For supported conversation, what 2 criteria must the person meet?
- ability to signal Y/N
2. ability to understand simple questions and statements.
What aphasia particularly benefits from supported conversation?
Good comprehension but limited expressive ability.
Supported convo
More info.
PwA can chose partner.
Should be used as part of intervention, not as replacement.
Supported conversation benefits.
Useful engagement of partner in therapy tasks and they can practice these at home for good generalisation.
Helps activity and participation- reducing impact.
Name some supported conversation resources.
Communication book Communication Passport Apps Daily journal - fam member fills in events to talk about Yes/No board Paper and pen Maps Magazine and newspapers
Stroke recovery passport by stroke association- info on stroke, family, communication and needs etc.
Chest Heart and Stroke:
Conversation Support Book- basic needs
Aphasia ID cards- tell people they have aphasia
Talking Mats- electronic or physical, likes and dislikes, good convo basis.
How should we support partners of people with aphasia?
Support Groups are really good
Conversation training programme- video analysis etc.
