WORKING WITH PEOPLE WITH APHASIA AND THEIR FAMILIES - AN EXPLORATION OF THE USE OF FAMILY-THERAPY TECHNIQUES

Although the psychosocial problems faced by people with aphasia and th eir families are widely acknowledged, relatively little research has t ried to evaluate attempts to assist them. Recently attention has focus ed on the feasibility of offering therapy to aphasics and their famili es. In this study we describe therapy given jointly by a family therap ist and a speech and language therapist. We also explore the suitabili ty of the Personal Questionnaire Rapid Scaling Technique (PQRST, Mulha ll 1978) as a means of monitoring change during the therapy. The resul ts of therapy for two families are described. Positive changes were fo und, though these were stronger for aphasics than their family members , and were more marked in the period following therapy than during the therapy itself.