Aphasia masks competence; so it’s likely that the person you’re communicating with knows more than they can say. Based on the SCATM approach, here are tips to help you:
- Get the message in
- Get the message out
Getting the message in:
First, establish: Does the person with aphasia understand what you are saying?
If YES, proceed.
If NO, use supports.
Here are some ideas:
- Establish a clear general topic first; and then move on to the details.
- Communicate one idea at a time.
- Use short, simple sentences and expressive voice.
- As you are talking, use a hierarchy of techniques:
- Use gestures and facial expressions to enhance what you are saying.
- Write key words or main ideas in large bold print.
- Use pictures/pictographs. Focus on one at a time.
- For example, if you were talking about an issue in the newspaper, is there a picture or headline you can show to the person with aphasia?
- Use objects in the environment to help get your message across.
- Eliminate as much distraction as possible (noises, other people, too much material)
- Observe the person to see if they understand (with facial expression/eye gaze, posture, gestures)
- Look at the person with aphasia when speaking. Your facial expression can help the person with aphasia understand you.
Getting the message out:
Does the person have a way of conveying their message to you?
This message can be verbal or non-verbal.
If NO, here are some ideas:
- Establish a clear general topic first; and then move on to understanding the details.
- Ask Yes/No questions and make sure the person has a way to respond. Use a written YES / NO if needed.
- Ask one thing at a time.
- Encourage the person with aphasia to write down a word or draw if they can.
- Ask the person to give clues by gesturing, or pointing to objects, pictures and written key words.
- Give the person time to respond.
- Multiple choice formats are better than yes/no questions, when you have a list of potential answers
- Phrase Yes/No questions in a logical sequence (general to specific)
- Summarize: Pull things together at the end of a longer discussion; summarize slowly and clearly what you think the person is trying to say. e.g. “So let me make sure I understand…” Add gestures or written key words, if necessary.
- Use Yes/No questions to verify information.
If the information you exchange needs to be accurate, it is especially important to VERIFY what you have heard, using techniques above.
If you are a health care professional, for further information about training, please visit the Training section of our website to learn more.
If you are a family member, please contact the social workers at the Aphasia Institute.
Please see our “Tips for Communicating with a Person with Aphasia” for more.
Anyone can refer an individual to the Aphasia Institute.
Referrals to the Aphasia Institute can be made by individuals with aphasia, family members, physicians, social workers, speech-language pathologists and other health care professionals.
We do need a speech pathology report to accompany this referral. Click here for a printable version our referral form.
We ask that attempts be made to have a full assessment conducted by a speech-language pathologist prior to admitting clients to our program.
The report helps our staff to determine the severity and kind of aphasia a person has. In addition, staff at the Aphasia Institute rely on these reports as a baseline measure when a client begins the program.
To obtain a speech pathology report, contact your local hospital to determine whether speech-language pathology assessments are possible, or to receive a copy of an old assessment.
If you have not had an assessment done before, talk to your local doctor, or contact:
- The College of Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists of Ontario (CASLPO)
- The Ontario Association of Speech-Language Pathologists and Audiologists (OSLA)
In the event that it is not possible to arrange for an assessment, please contact our Manager of Client Services.
These techniques are described fully in our professional training courses. For an overview of these techniques, please refer to the article:
Kagan, A (1998). Supported conversation for adults with aphasia: Methods and resources for training conversation partners. Aphasiology, 12(9), 816-38.
This approach is outlined comprehensively in our professional training courses. For more information, please refer to the following article:
When our trainees attend professional trainings at our centre, they are offered the opportunity to immerse themselves in our unique environment. This helps them to truly learn about how we weave our philosophies into our programming. We do consider requests for on-site education as our resources allow. Please contact our Education and Learning Coordinator, so that we may consider your specific request.