Intensive Communication Group for People with aphasia (ICGA)

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Intensive Communication Group for People with
aphasia (ICGA)

• Research Project at QMU
• Motivation
• Need for more practised based learning
  opportunities for SLT students with adult clients
  with acquired neurological conditions.
• Funding The Headley Trust

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Background 2012 Scoping

• Consultation
• Scottish Health Boards
• Voluntary Sector Chest, Heart and Stroke, The
  Stroke Association, Speakability
• HEIs, National and International good evidence
  of effectiveness
• No Intensive Group Experience available in
  Scotland

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Background 2013 Pilot Run

• 11 People with Aphasia communication partners
  referred by SLT services in Borders, Forth
  Valley, Lothian
• Therapy Team
• 2 Highly Experienced SLT Leads
• 1 Art and 1 Music Therapist 1Physiotherapist
• 8 SLT Student placements, 1 internship

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The Programme

• Introductory Day
• 5 Therapy Days for people with Aphasia
• Communication Partners attended on 2 days
• An evaluation and dissemination of results
  morning

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The Programme

• QMU as a venue
• multiple opportunities for communication
  throughout the day
• QMU staff involved security, reception,
  catering, AHP professionals
• Large/small group sessions 11
• IT support, students

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The Programme

• Workshops
• Aphasia and impact on family
• What makes a good communicator
• Practical session with other PWAs
• Sharing ideas apps, software (react2), hardware
• Exercise after stroke

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Quotes from clients
Liberating nice to know I am not in this space
alone
 
Gives an opportunity to speak would come back
tomorrow!
I talked and the words were coming out.
The pictures and the students helped the words
come out easier.
Now that I have communicated with others in the
group, I am very confident. (CP)
Enjoyed being buddy with a new person with
aphasia (CP)
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Quotes from Students

• It turned out to be a wonderful placement

allowed us to work independently and also as a
team and provided us with the opportunity to do
group work which students dont often have the
chance to do
we saw the clients interacting in everyday
situations e.g. ordering lunch
I was hesitant at first that I wouldnt get
enough client contact on this placement as the
actual program only ran for 5 ½ days. However,
because there were 11 clients on the program and
I was engaging them individually and as a group,
I feel I received a substantial amount of client
contact
(Student)
Also provided us with the opportunity to work
with other health professionals and communication
partners
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Future plans

• Funding for 2014 and towards 2015 and 2016
• Annual summer group ? sustainable?
• SLT Art and Music placements ? other AHPs?
• Disseminate model
• Other client groups?

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More information?

• Executive summary and full report including
  outcomes for all participants including students
• http//www.qmu.ac.uk/icga/