Aphasia Speech Therapy Techniques
Aphasia is a language disorder caused by brain damage, often from stroke or head injury.
Speech therapy aims to improve communication by restoring lost language skills,
compensating for deficits, and using alternative strategies. Techniques are tailored to the type
and severity of aphasia.
A. Language Stimulation Techniques
(Aim: strengthen underlying language processing skills)
1. Auditory Comprehension Drills
o Listening to simple instructions and gradually increasing complexity.
o Improves understanding of spoken language.
2. Repetition and Imitation
o Repeating words, phrases, or sentences after the therapist to reinforce speech
motor planning.
3. Naming Therapy (Confrontation Naming)
o Using pictures or real objects to prompt naming, starting with common words
and moving to less frequent ones.
4. Semantic Feature Analysis (SFA)
o Describing features of a word (category, function, appearance) to aid retrieval.
5. Phonemic Cueing
o Providing the first sound or syllable of a word to trigger recall.
B. Speech Production Techniques
(Aim: improve articulation and fluency)
6. Melodic Intonation Therapy (MIT)
o Using melody and rhythm to facilitate speech production in non-fluent
aphasia.
7. Articulation Drills
o Practicing sound production through repetition and gradual complexity
increase.
8. Script Training
o Memorizing and practicing personally relevant phrases for functional
communication.
9. Sentence Completion Tasks
o Providing the start of a sentence to prompt the patient to complete it.
C. Reading and Writing Rehabilitation
10. Oral Reading for Language in Aphasia (ORLA)
o Reading sentences aloud together with the therapist to improve reading
comprehension and verbal expression.
11. Copy and Recall Treatment (CART)
o Writing target words repeatedly, then recalling them without prompts.
12. Functional Reading Activities
o Using menus, signs, or labels for practical reading skills.
D. Conversational and Functional Communication Strategies
13. Conversational Coaching
o Practicing turn-taking, topic maintenance, and repair strategies with the
therapist or family members.
14. Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia (SCA™)
o Using written keywords, gestures, and drawings to support conversation.
15. Role-Playing Real-Life Scenarios
o Practicing ordering food, making phone calls, or shopping interactions.
E. Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)
16. Low-Tech AAC
o Communication boards, picture cards, or written keywords.
17. High-Tech AAC
o Speech-generating devices or tablet-based communication apps.
F. Cognitive and Psychological Support
18. Cognitive-Linguistic Therapy
o Integrating attention, memory, and problem-solving tasks with language
practice.
19. Group Therapy
o Encourages social interaction, peer support, and conversational practice.
20. Counseling and Education
o Addressing emotional impact, educating family on communication strategies.
G. Maintenance and Generalization
21. Home Practice Programs
o Structured exercises and functional tasks to reinforce therapy goals.
22. Community Integration Activities
o Using language skills in clubs, volunteer work, or social gatherings.
