Challenging Aphasia Therapies presents an entirely new approach to thinking on the subject of aphasia therapy by liberating it from traditional models. This is achieved through a process of reflection in which many assumptions previously taken for granted are challenged and reassessed. Internationally renowned experts successfully demonstrate the benefits of learning about aphasia therapy through the process of engaging in it. Topics covered include: * the role of context, culture and conversation in shaping and directing aphasia therapy * the ethical issues that arise from the current tensions between market driven health care industries and the moral commitment to their client welfare * the value of therapy. Contributors challenge the common notion of successful therapy as solely performance related. * the potential and competent use of humour in aphasia therapy. The identification of the strengths and limitations of clinical models and the focus on relevant directions for therapy will be of interest to practising clinicians as well as anyone involved in study or research in speech and language therapy.

Different from a textbook or academic journal, the File represents a collection of explicit descriptions about therapy interventions written by practitioners themselves. The description of the rationale for the therapy, the intervention itself and evaluation of outcomes are of paramount importance. Each contributor guides the reader through the thinking that they engaged in as they decided what to do, often with considerable frankness about the difficulties involved.
The File will be of equal value to experienced practitioners and students alike.

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The Aphasia Therapy Files represent a practical resource for people who work with individuals with aphasia, either as therapists or as researchers. An overview of issues associated with current practices is combined with a study of the practicalities of determining, designing and implementing therapies.

This second volume continues to explore the possibility of bridging the gap between therapy in a clinical setting and the practical issues faced by the person living with aphasia. Each author presents one or more of their clinical practices in order to share their therapy experiences and reasoning with others. These contributions provide an insight into the complex issues that face both the practitioner and the person with aphasia, including discussion of subjects such as:

Revealing competence and rethinking identity for people with severe aphasia using drawing and a communication book

Respecting the rights of a person with aphasia to their own life choices: a longitudinal therapy study

A group approach to the long-term rehabilitation of people with acquired head injury within the community

Lexical and functionally based treatment: effects on word retrieval and conversation

While each of the chapters is of considerable interest on its own, the final chapter offers readers a method of describing and capturing what happens in therapy and why, to enable comparisons between therapies and application by readers themselves.

Written by speech and language therapists working in clinical practice, the studies included in this unique resource reflect the realities of everyday practice and will appeal to therapists, students and researchers in aphasia.

Challenging Aphasia Therapies presents an entirely new approach to thinking on the subject of aphasia therapy by liberating it from traditional models. This is achieved through a process of reflection in which many assumptions previously taken for granted are challenged and reassessed. Internationally renowned experts successfully demonstrate the benefits of learning about aphasia therapy through the process of engaging in it. Topics covered include: * the role of context, culture and conversation in shaping and directing aphasia therapy * the ethical issues that arise from the current tensions between market driven health care industries and the moral commitment to their client welfare * the value of therapy. Contributors challenge the common notion of successful therapy as solely performance related. * the potential and competent use of humour in aphasia therapy. The identification of the strengths and limitations of clinical models and the focus on relevant directions for therapy will be of interest to practising clinicians as well as anyone involved in study or research in speech and language therapy.