Topic selection sequences in aphasia conversation groups

ABSTRACT

Background: Facilitated group conversation is a feature of many programs designed to help persons with aphasia (PWA) recover from neurogenic injuries. While researchers have studied various aspects of this therapy approach, one facet of facilitated group conversations for aphasia that has been mentioned in the literature, but that remains to be investigated, is the process of topic selection.

Aims: The aim of the qualitative study documented here was to examine how experienced facilitators and conversation group members with aphasia select topics for discussion during the opening moments of conversations.

Methods & Procedures: We video recorded aphasia conversations groups lead by three highly skilled facilitators from three sites. The initial portions of these conversations constituted the data source in this study. We conducted a conversation analysis to shed light on how aphasia conversation groups select topics at the start of interaction. Further, we focused on the resources interactants deploy during conversation such as verbal language as well as the array of other meaningful signs that have been found to play an important role in interaction.

Outcomes & Results: Analysis revealed that facilitators and group members with aphasia engaged in three main topic selection processes during the initial portions of the conversations: nomination and pursuit, topic-initial elicitation and listing sequences. A number of external artifacts, including newspapers, papers and pencils, and whiteboards, formed part of the functional communicative system observed in the data.

Conclusions: The sessions analyzed here illustrate that when appropriate attitudes and supports are present, PWA can meaningfully participate in complex communicative processes such as topic selection. Creating modes of interaction that promote active involvement for PWA during topic selection and the other phases of conversation may play a small but significant role in fostering the feelings of agency and increased self-esteem that stroke survivors who take part in group conversation report.

KEYWORDS:

• Aphasia
• group conversation
• topic selection
• facilitation

Acknowledgements

Special thanks to the following people and organizations that helped make this study possible: The Summer Aphasia Project, University of Lousiana, Lafayette, Louisiana, USA, The Pat Arato Aphasia Center, Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Houston Aphasia Recovery Center, Houston, Texas, USA, Melodie Chan, Rochelle Cohen-Schneider, Jack Damico

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Pseudonyms.