Publication Date

1991

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Kresheck, Janet D.

Degree Name

M.A. (Master of Arts)

Legacy Department

Department of Communicative Disorders

LCSH

Aphasia--Treatment; Families; Speech therapists--Attitudes

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to survey speech-language clinicians treating patients with aphasia to gather information pertaining to current practices and attitudes of involving families in the treatment process. A questionnaire was distributed to 69 speech-language clinicians employed in clinical care facilities across the country delivering treatment for aphasia. Overall, the responses of the clinicians indicated a recognition in attitude of the value of family involvement in the treatment of aphasia. Responses to items questioning clinical practice did not reflect effective family participation in treatment. Significant difference was found between the frequency of clinicians who assigned family homework and clinicians who coordinated the development of homework with families. Significant difference was found'between attitude responses toward professional responsibility of providing emotional family support and the practice of addressing emotional issues in treatment. The most important determinant of whether or not a family was included in the aphasia treatment for the patient family member was the family's desire to participate as perceived by the clinician. The results of this study are discussed to reveal the necessity for further research to provide data for determining effective treatment formats and additional academic training beneficial to speech-language clinicians seeking to include families in the treatment of aphasia.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [71]-76)

Extent

vi, 98 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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