COMMUNICATION PARTNERS - ENHANCING PARTICIPATION IN LIFE AND COMMUNICATION FOR ADULTS WITH APHASIA IN NATURAL SETTINGS

Communication partners is a novel aphasia treatment plan whose aim is to restore a sense of purpose, direction, and control to daily life fo r both patient and caregiver. Treatment involves the participation of a community volunteer who, once paired with an aphasic adult, acts as a Liaison in bridging clinical and real-life pursuits. Initially, trea tment pairs are taught how to interact freely and effectively. Once co mfortable in each other's company these partners embark on activities of the patient's choosing at home or in the community. Results from 10 treated pairs failed to yield significant differences on the Boston D iagnostic Aphasia Examination, Communication Abilities in Daily Living , or the Affect Balance Scale. However, all participants, i.e. patient s, caregivers, and communication partners, noted statistically signifi cant gains in the aphasic adult's well-being and communication on two investigator-constructed questionnaires. Other informal measures also supported the use of this treatment. The significance of these finding s, as well as methodological considerations when undertaking this type of research, are discussed.