1. 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

2. APHASIA TREATMENT

3. 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

4. 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

5. Benefits of computerized treatment for aphasia (cont’d) Allows utilization of less-skilled personnel Technology use can be an excellent functional goal

6. Differentiating goals: face-to-face, or computer- based?

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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!)

11. Case examples and software demonstrations: how a client can progress with the right software, and the right “consultant”

12. Writing: from single letter matching to written naming Aphasia Tutor 1: Progression of levels Cueing hierarchy

13. Reading: from picture/word matching to recreational reading Aphasia Tutor 1 Aphasia Tutor 2 Aphasia Tutor 3 & 4

14. Speaking: learning to recognize and self-correct errors Aphasia Tutor 0: Sights and Sounds Speech Sounds on Cue

15. Comprehending: following directions Direction Following Plus Verbal options Written options Memory options

16. Choosing software Flexibility Volume of stimuli Customer service and support Intervention strategies: how does the software help promote success? Cost