Intervention in aphasias using the augmentative and alternative communication

• Grant number: 10/11226-1
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: December 01, 2010
• End date: November 30, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Health Sciences - Speech Therapy
• Principal Investigator: Magali de Lourdes Caldana
• Grantee: Magali de Lourdes Caldana
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Odontologia de Bauru (FOB). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). Bauru , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The capacity to communicate is a characteristic that distinguishes us as human beings. In the communication desires, ideas and needs are expressed that permit to develop relationships with family, friends and the society. Aphasia is due to cerebral attack and causes damage in the areas of language such as production, comprehension, as well as reading and writing. There are different methods of rehabilitation in aphasia, and due to the need to find ways to help people with alterations in oral communication caused by different factors, appeared in the clinical area the Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC), that has the objective to promote and to supplement the speech and to assure an alternative way to make the communication of unable people to use verbal language. Purpose: To realize speech-language therapy, using the resources of AAC in aphasia with adults and elderly people, and to describe their contribution in terms of functional oral communication and graphics. Method: Four parameters will be evaluated. They consist in patient's comprehension through the Token Test-Short Form, the efficacy of speech therapy through the Test M1-Apha - Adapted; quality of a patient's life in relation to the family using a questionnaire elaborated by the researchers and the description of speech therapy with the resources of AAC. The materials selected for therapy will correspond with the needs of each patient. (AU)