Improving Therapy Outcomes with Computers:

More Bang for the Buck

ASHA 2000

November 17, 2000

Terri Nichols, MS, CCC-SLP

Candace Gordon, MA, CCC-SLP

Jill Brown, MS, CCC-SLP

APHASIA TREATMENT

Benefits of computerized treatment for aphasia

• Builds self-esteem

• Allows independent practice with objective feedback

• Conserves health insurance benefits

• Allows unlimited drill on specific levels

• Provides simultaneous multi-sensory input

Benefits of computerized treatment for aphasia (cont’d)

• Compensates for physical deficits

• Maintains therapeutic gains after therapy ends

• Allows a functional look at sequencing skills

• Allows efficient use of professional time

Benefits of computerized treatment for aphasia (cont’d)

• Allows utilization of less-skilled personnel

• Technology use can be an excellent functional goal

Differentiating goals: face-to-face, or computer-

based?

Goals and activities best served face-to-face

• Developing compensatory strategies: gestures, drawing, description

• Demonstrating interaction strategies for caregivers and significant others

• Apraxia drills which utilize tactile cues

• Eliciting discourse, verbal or written

• Facilitating group interactions

Goals and activities best served face-to-face (cont’d)

• Building compensatory strategies for communicating in noise and distraction

• Pragmatic skills: eye contact, functional comprehension, communication efficiency, humor

Goals and activities more efficiently served by computer-

based activities

• Reading comprehension

• Written naming

• Sound discrimination

• Matching activities

• Fill-in-the-blank or cloze activities

• Multiple choice

Goals well served by a combination of face-to-face

and computer-based activities

• Self-monitoring of errors

• Following directions

• Writing (there’s not always direct carryover from typing words to writing words; but be sure to collaborate with OT if there’s not!)

Case examples and software demonstrations: how a client

can progress with the right software, and the right

“consultant”

Writing: from single letter matching to written naming

• Aphasia Tutor 1:• Progression of levels• Cueing hierarchy

Reading: from picture/word matching to recreational

reading

• Aphasia Tutor 1

• Aphasia Tutor 2

• Aphasia Tutor 3 & 4

Speaking: learning to recognize and self-correct

errors• Aphasia Tutor 0: Sights and Sounds

• Speech Sounds on Cue

Comprehending: following directions

• Direction Following Plus• Verbal options• Written options• Memory options

Choosing software

• Flexibility

• Volume of stimuli

• Customer service and support

• Intervention strategies: how does the software help promote success?

• Cost