Life Participation Approach to Aphasia

LPAA Goes Beyond the Person With Aphasia

The LPAA model also says that the person with aphasia is not the only target of treatment. Anyone who is affected by aphasia (such as family members) are also eligible to receive treatment. In addition, the person’s environment is considered. The SLP might think of ways to change the environment to make participation easier for the person with aphasia. That might mean making an “aphasia-friendly” version of the menu at a favorite restaurant.

The Link Between LPAA and AAC

The principles of LPAA are especially important for people using augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) devices. Some people think AAC devices are just for requesting items or communicating medical information. However, an AAC device is an excellent tool to allow people to participate in activities that are important to them.

For instance, someone’s goal might be to resume attending their weekly card game. The person with aphasia, a family member, and the SLP can work together to think about what they will want to communicate about at the card game. The device can be pre-programmed with phrases, questions and stories to share.

At Lingraphica, we encourage people who use our devices to use them for communication that is fun and meaningful. When you turn on a Lingraphica device, one of the first topics you’ll see is “Things I Like Doing.” If you’ll tell us about yourself, we’ll even pre-program information about your interests into the device. That means when you turn on your device, you’ll already be able to brag about your grandson without spending any time programming it.

Other Aphasia Treatments