SpeechPathology.com Phone: 800-242-5183


Presence Thinking About 2 - December 2024

Communication Options for Patients with Anarthria

Heidi Williams, M.S.,CCC-SLP

February 11, 2008

Share:

Question

I have a client aged 44 years who has been diagnosed with Anarthria. He lost his ability to speak following stroke a year ago. CT scan had revealed HTN posterior circulation stroke with pontine, cerebellar (left) infarct. He is immobile owing to the quadr

Answer

I would recommend an augmentative communication device at this time. Since he is 12 months post CVA and has intact cognition and receptive language abilities, he is probably very frustrated and depressed about his very limited expressive abilities. The primary goal is expression thru augmentative communication devices. There are very good eye gaze systems available, but there is one is particular that I would recommend and it is the Erica System. By using his eyes, he can gain complete control over a computer and use the AAC software that can run on a personal computer. The ERICA system translates eye movement into cursor movement, moving the computer's cursor to exactly where the user looks on the screen. His caretakers will need training in set up and since I have been thru this training and use it with one of my patients, I can tell you that it is easy to learn. This system can also be programmed for environmental controls. He is a young person with a CVA who is probably used to using computers and would find this system motivating, challenging and very positive.

Heidi Williams is a staff speech pathologist at the Dayton VAMC and this is her 25th year at this facility. She is very devoted to the veteran population where she has gained a lot of experience with CVA and other neurological - communication disorders. Heidi authored the policy titled, "Management of Patients with Swallowing and Feeding Disorders" and chairs the Dysphagia Management Team. Patients with dysphagia make up a large part of her caseload. Prior to her VA experience, Heidiworked with children in the school system in Cincinnati, Ohio.


heidi williams

Heidi Williams, M.S.,CCC-SLP


Related Courses

Supporting Aphasia Recovery with Therapeutic Games: Putting the "Fun" Back in Functional
Presented by William S. Evans, PhD, CCC-SLP
Video

Presenter

William S. Evans, PhD, CCC-SLP
Course: #11048Level: Advanced1 Hour
  'Very informed presenter with real-world examples'   Read Reviews
People with aphasia need motivating ways to fight social isolation and improve communication. Therapeutic aphasia games can address these needs by making practice more fun and engaging, especially in group contexts. This course reviews existing early-stage aphasia games research. It also describes aphasia rehabilitation and game design principles SLPs can use to develop and adapt their own therapeutic games.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy: An Introduction for SLPs
Presented by William S. Evans, PhD, CCC-SLP
Video

Presenter

William S. Evans, PhD, CCC-SLP
Course: #10771Level: Intermediate1 Hour
  'great real life information to help patients outside of unnatural therapy environment'   Read Reviews
An introduction to Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), a modern evidence-based counseling approach, is provided in this course. Research support for ACT is discussed, and case studies to illustrate how ACT techniques can help patients and their families with the psychosocial consequences of living with communication disorders are presented.

Textbook: Achieving Communication Competence
Presented by Yvonne Gillette, PhD, ASHA Fellow
Text

Presenter

Yvonne Gillette, PhD, ASHA Fellow
Course: #10517Level: Advanced15 Hours
  'This textbook gave me a clear and practical framework for assessing communication skills and environments, creating personalized intervention plans, and tracking progress'   Read Reviews
Based on the textbook, Achieving Communication Competence, this course describes a three-step process to create an effective intervention plan for people with severe communication disabilities. Assessment of environmental factors and communication skills, implementation and modification of intervention plans, and progress reporting are discussed.

Textbook: AAC in the Schools - Best Practices for Intervention
Presented by Gloria Soto, PhD, Nancy B. Robinson, PhD, CCC-SLP, Professor Emerita
Text

Presenters

Gloria Soto, PhDNancy B. Robinson, PhD, CCC-SLP, Professor Emerita
Course: #10519Level: Intermediate8 Hours
  'I really appreciated the practical strategies and specific recommendations in the book! I loved being able to purchase the ebook to read immediately!'   Read Reviews
Based on the textbook AAC in the Schools: Best Practices for Intervention, this course is a comprehensive guide for systematically overcoming barriers in the school for students who use AAC. Curriculum-based assessment tools are discussed, along with methods for aligning intervention goals with general education standards, developing lesson plans, and adapting curricula for students with AAC needs.

Best Practice for Assessment and Treatment of Bilingual Aphasia
Presented by Maria Muñoz, PhD, CCC-SLP
Video

Presenter

Maria Muñoz, PhD, CCC-SLP
Course: #9759Level: Intermediate1.5 Hours
  'It is so hard to find information on adult bilinguals'   Read Reviews
This course focuses on best practice in the assessment and treatment of bilingual aphasia by speech-language pathologists. Recommended practices are contrasted against common mistakes made by clinicians working with bilingual patients with aphasia. Implementation of best practices are modeled through case studies.

Our site uses cookies to improve your experience. By using our site, you agree to our Privacy Policy.