The staff of
http://www.aphasiatoolbox.com/ and PATREC have been hard at work revolutionizing aphasia therapy. In our last newsletter, we presented information about how the use of interval intensive aphasia therapy overcomes the shortcomings and cost-prohibitive nature of traditional short term (4-6 weeks) intensive therapy.
In this newsletter, we will discuss another key development - the Individualized Recovery Pathway. Typically, aphasia therapy begins with a fixed plan of treatment (POT) that has been derived from results of a diagnostic evaluation.
While establishing a POT provides an important and necessary step in the treatment process, we have found the need to create a document:
- that is more reflective of the brisk change that occurs in our patients and subscribers
- that is flexible enough to quickly grow with the ongoing progress in patient skills
- that is sensitive enough to show and take advantage of opportunities presented by this progress
- that better reflects the sophistication and complexities of complex human communication
- that smoothly integrates all components of communication including speaking, reading, writing, spelling, etc. into ongoing practice
- that helps to facilitate carry over of improved skills into the patient’s everyday world
The Individualized Recovery Pathway begins with a shared understanding of where the patient is at the start of therapy. Next, through a true collaboration of the patient, caregivers and the speech pathologist, it is determined where the patient where the patient wants to be in his/her life (long-term goals). The outcomes of this group effort to determine what the patient wants to accomplish in the long run drives the next step of creating an action plan. From this information, the group forms the action plan of short term goals and objectives which includes specifics of practice activities, innovative tools, schedule of treatment and independent practice, etc. This section is the ‘meat and potatoes’ of the treatment. You will notice am emphasis on independent patient practice as the best therapy happens when the patient is involved in self-directed practice. Here, the essentials of Simply Smart aphasia therapy that we have discussed in past newsletters and on our website come into play. Each part of the short term goal list has a hyperlink (such as the Contact page in the sample below) to a page that contains specifics and that is responsive to patient progress and change by expanding and growing.
To find our more about how this approach to planning treatment, validating improvement and quickly taking advantage of patient progress and caregiver training can help you, contact Bill Connors at 724.494.2534 or email at
bill@aphasiatoolbox.com .
Individualized Recovery Pathway
Name:
_____Mary Smith_____________________________________
State/Province:
____PA___________ Date _12/18/08_____
Where do you want to go? Long terms goals and outcomes
Return to productive involvement in society – private practice in consulting
Teach again at the community college level
How do we get there? Short term goals and action plan
Contract – see attached [hyperlink]
Talk and converse better
Talk in sentences [new normal]
Use the computer again
Use the internet and email
Understand the speech of others well
Spell and type [ keyboard ] well
Improved control and use of RIGHT hand
Where do we start? Where are you now?
See attached report from hospital – overall moderate-marked aphasia deficits
Action List Hyperlink
CONTRACT:
Name:
_____Mary Smith____________________________________
State/Province:
____PA____________ Date _12/18/08_____
1. Alternate weeks:
a. On-site face to face intensive treatment – 2.5 hours; 1-40 minute session over the internet with SLP
b. 3-40 minute sessions over the internet with SLP
2. Conversational practice:
a. 1 session per month with another patient over the internet
b. Participation in a self-help group once per month
c. 2 sessions per month with graduate student
d. Daily with parents and caregiver
3. 4 hours per day of independent self-help practice using http://www.aphasiatoolbox.com/; the Aphasia Sight Reader; treatment protocols and materials; email; reading-writing-speaking with a focus on incorporating our loud self talk and lots of repetitions
_____________________ _____________________
Mary Smith William Connors, SLP
