Description
Better Conversations with Aphasia is a free e-learning resource to improve access to conversation therapy for speech and language therapists/pathologists (SLTs), and for people with aphasia (PWA) and their families. Aphasia is a language disorder commonly caused by stroke that affects speaking, listening, reading and writing, and as a result everyday conversations can become difficult.
SLTs will learn how to do conversation therapy, have access to a complete therapy programme, interactive learning materials, and advice from experienced clinicians. PWA and their families will find out what conversation therapy is, what other PWA think of it, and be able to reflect on whether it is right for them. Video and audio materials are at the heart of the resource. Healthcare workers and medics who deal with people with aphasia and their family members will learn how aphasia affects everyday conversation, what conversation therapy is, and the evidence base for its efficacy.
Frequently asked questions
1. Who is this resource for?
Speech and language therapists (pathologists), people with aphasia and their families, and healthcare workers and medics. The material that is aphasia-friendly is marked with an ‘aphasia’ icon so you can find it easily (see resource map).
2. What prior knowledge do I need?
You need to be a speech and language therapist (pathologist) (SLT) or SLT student to make use of the therapy programme and related interactive learning materials. You do not need to know about conversation, conversation therapy or Conversation Analysis. If you are a healthcare worker or a medic, you need to have a basic understanding of aphasia.
If you have aphasia or a family member does, you don’t need any prior knowledge of conversation therapy, but a basic understanding of aphasia would be helpful.
Please note that this resource will not give you the necessary knowledge or skill to carry out conversation therapy unless you are already a qualified speech and language therapist (pathologist).
3. How do I use this resource?
There are several ways you can use it. If you are an SLT or SLT student you can use it:
- for short periods of continuing professional development (note: the resource is not designed for you to work through from beginning to end in one sitting)
- to support you to plan, carry out and measure outcomes of conversation therapy with your clients
- to work through with your clients during therapy
- to train medics/healthcare professionals about aphasia and its impact on conversation skills.
For suggested ‘packages’ of modules to use for different purposes, see the ‘how to use BCA’ guides.
If you are a person with aphasia, or if your family member has aphasia, you can use it to find out:
- what conversation therapy is
- what other people with aphasia think about it
- whether it is right for you
- other places to go for support and advice about aphasia and conversation.
For advice about how to use the resource, see the aphasia-friendly ‘how to use BCA’ guides.
If you are a healthcare worker or medic, you can use it to find out:
- how aphasia affects everyday conversation
- what conversation therapy is
- the evidence base for its efficacy.
For advice about how to use the resource, see the ‘how to use BCA’ guides.
Team
Suzanne Beeke (BA Hons, PhD)
A speech and language therapist (SLT) and senior lecturer at UCL. Her research expertise lies in using Conversation Analysis to assess and treat people with aphasia, and she led the Better Conversations with Aphasia project.
Nicola Sirman (BA Hons, MSc)
An SLT and research assistant on the Better Conversations with Aphasia project. She has worked with adults with acquired neurological conditions and adult dysfluency since qualifying in 2009.
Firle Beckley (BSc Hons, MSc)
An SLT with over 10 years experience of working in the NHS and now a Stroke Association Junior Research Training Fellow studying for a PhD at UCL. She was the research associate on the Better Conversations with Aphasia project.
Jane Maxim (DipCST, MA, PhD, FRCSLT)
An SLT and Emeritus Professor of Human Communication Science at UCL. She was part of the research team who devised the SPPARC conversation training programme (Lock, Wilkinson & Bryan, 2001).
Susan Edwards (MSc, PhD, FRCSLT)
An SLT, Emeritus Professor at the University of Reading and Visiting Professor at UCL, with experience of educating SLTs, and extensive research and clinical experience in the fields of language disorders in children and adults.
Kate Swinburn (BA Hons Cantab, DipCCS, PhD, FRCSLT)
An independent consultant in health, research and policy, with experience of working alongside people with aphasia as research collaborators. She represented Connect, the communication disability network, on the Better Conversations with Aphasia project.
Wendy Best (BSc, MSc, PhD)
An SLT and Professor of Communication Science and Language Therapy at UCL. She has expertise in intervention research and a particular interest in linking research and clinical practice.
Please reference this resource as follows:
Beeke S, Sirman N, Beckley F, Maxim J, Edwards S, Swinburn K, Best W. 2013. Better Conversations with Aphasia: an e-learning resource. Available at: https://extend.ucl.ac.uk/
Prerequisites
You need to be a speech and language therapist (pathologist) (SLT) or SLT student to have the background knowledge and skill to make use of the therapy programme and therapy-focused interactive learning materials.
People with aphasia and their families do not need knowledge of conversation therapy, but a basic understanding of aphasia would be helpful.
Healthcare professionals and medics need a basic understanding of aphasia.
Please note: this resource will not give you the necessary knowledge or skill to carry out conversation therapy unless you are already a qualified speech and language therapist (pathologist).
