Life Participation Approaches to Aphasia

ABSTRACT

This paper discusses a recent development in aphasia treatment, termed the Life Participation Approach to Aphasia (LPAA) (Chapey et al., 2001). LPAA is a model of aphasia rehabilitation that is being practiced internationally in Canada, Australia, England, and the United States. This approach is consumer-driven, and emphasizes reengagement in life. LPAA views family members and the larger community as active contributors to the rehabilitation process. Rather than focusing on the hypothetical situations depicted in pictures, real-life social interactions comprise the therapy context with LPAA.

Key Words:

• Aphasia
• treatment
• social
• “quality of life”
• international
• interdisciplinary
• “social work”
• “speech pathology”
• “speech therapy”
• “life participation”