The case of the women and the words: intensive therapy can help many years post stroke
Reviewed by Anna Volkmer

Aphasia, a language impairment impacting on a person’s ability to speak, understand, read and write, is most commonly caused by a stroke. Speech and language therapists are trained to work with people with aphasia, often aiming for restitution and rehabilitation of these communication difficulties. Yet, speech and language therapists are often not experienced in delivering these interventions in an intensive way. In contrast, Board Certified Behaviour Analysts are experienced in intensive delivery of interventions. This study describes a case study of a 71-year-old woman two-years post a stroke which resulted in an aphasia. The authors describe delivering an intensive 12 hours/week of therapy over a 12-week period. The intervention is co-designed by the two authors, a speech and language therapist and board-certified behaviour analyst. Measures of naming, higher level language, reading and quality of life demonstrate positive changes post intervention. This is a limited study, given it presents only a single case and it is difficult to identify which are the key components of the intervention that facilitate change. Yet, intensive interventions are gaining recognition for their outcomes for people with chronic aphasia and the economic value they offer in comparisons to existing models of care.

Behaviorally-Oriented Intensive Aphasia Program: Collaboration Leads to Optimal Outcomes.
Fleming S, Clark B.
SEMIN SPEECH LANG
2022;43(5):391-405.