Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA)

What is it?

  • The use of various techniques to encourage and support conversation when communicating with someone with aphasia.
  • The techniques:
    • Spoken and written key words
      • Ex: Writing “hockey” when asking “did you see the hockey game last night?”
    • Body language and gestures
      • Ex: Gesturing ‘shooting a puck’ when asking “did you see the hockey game last night?”
    • Hand drawings
      • Ex: Drawing a ‘hockey stick’ when asking “did you see the hockey game last night?”
    • Detailed pictographs
      • Ex: Drawing the ‘NHL logo’ when asking “did you see the hockey game last night?”

There are 2 main goals of SCA™:

  1. Acknowledge competence of the person with aphasia
  2. Help the person with aphasia reveal their competence

Tips for revealing competence.

Helping get the message IN:

  • Use short, simple sentence and an expressive voice
  • When writing down keyword or topics use bold font (ex: black marker on a white page)
  • Use pictures to illustrate an idea – focus on one picture at a time (ex: photo on iPad)
  • Reduce distractions – noises, other people, multiple visuals at the same time
  • Gauge competence – watch facial expression, eye gaze, body expression, and gestures

Helping get the message OUT:

  • Ask yes/no questions
  • Ask 1 question at a time
  • Ask choice questions (ex: “Do you want water or coffee?”)
  • Phrasing yes/no questions from general to specific (ex: “Did you watch TV last night?”, “Did you watch the Hockey game”? “Did you see Auston Mathews score?”)
  • When needing clarification ask him/her to gesture, point to objects/pictures, or write key words (ex: Can you show me…)
  • Give time to respond
  • Verify the message (ex: expand or repeat message)

Despite everyone’s best effort, communication breakdowns will happen – it’s validating and comforting to acknowledge the shared feelings of being frustrating.

Speech-Language Pathologists (SLPs) can help! SLPs trained in Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA™) can help teach these strategies in the individual or group setting. Helping your loved one re-join life’s conversations.

Please contact Anderson Therapy Services with any questions or concerns you have about Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA™). We are located in the Greater Hamilton Area and through teletherapy, are able to provide therapy services across most of Ontario and Northern Regions.

Sources:

https://www.aphasia.ca/communicative-access-sca/