I'm a speech-language pathologist & co-founder of Tactus. Tactus offers evidence-based apps for aphasia therapy and lots of free resources, articles, and education - like this newsletter. Sign up to get my updates 1-2 times a month.
π§ Is it intact? Auditory comprehension's role in rehab
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When someone talks to you π¬, whether to ask a question or share information, they expect you to understand. π The same thing happens on the rehab unit. If you're a person with aphasia, you might not get the full message. π And that could make it a lot harder for you to get the most out of your therapy sessions. It's not surprising that auditory comprehension plays a major role in rehab success and quality of life post-discharge (Wallace et al., 2022). Even our patients with the types of aphasia with presumably βintactβ receptive language can experience subtle deficits that may impact progress. π€― π‘ And since auditory comprehension depends on attention & memory in addition to language processing, treatment can be less than straightforward. So, what does the research tell us about how to treat it? What are the different kinds of restorative treatments and compensatory strategies? π€ We break it all down for you (with references) in our latest blog: What SLPs Need to Know: Auditory Comprehension. πβοΈ
Treat Auditory Comprehension with Technology"I never see improvement in comprehension when I treat it in therapy," said many an SLP over the years. This is likely because it's nearly impossible to deliver a sufficient dosage of therapy in the standard outpatient schedule. Even with daily inpatient visits, it's rare to get the intensive practice needed for improvement. Several of the researched treatments for auditory comprehension use computers to deliver the intensity of therapy needed to see results. That's why we've built interactive treatments for auditory comprehension into our web-based platform, the Virtual Rehab Center. Each of these treatments can be used in the clinic and assigned for free homework. The difficulty auto-adjusts based on performance, and hints are available for added support when you're not there. Treatments include: π¬ Spoken Word Decision β Yes/No tasks with words that increase in complexity Check out our newest treatment: In addition to over 40 interactive treatments, the Tactus Virtual Rehab Center offers 60+ patient-friendly PDF handouts, including listening comprehension and communication partner strategies, free homework, and more! π π Try the Virtual Rehab Center for FREE: tactustherapy.com/rehabβ Thanks for doing what you doβcombining compassion, clinical insight, and evidence-based care to help your patients understand what matters most to them. π All the best, Megan β Pssst! We're having our annual APP SALE for Speech-Language-Hearing Month in May! Make your wish list and help your patients get ready to buy the apps they need at our lowest prices. The sale will run May 1-15 for iOS and Android. |
Megan @ Tactus Therapy
I'm a speech-language pathologist & co-founder of Tactus. Tactus offers evidence-based apps for aphasia therapy and lots of free resources, articles, and education - like this newsletter. Sign up to get my updates 1-2 times a month.
While we used to write and mail letters to keep in touch π¬, today's communication is largely done instantly online. π¬ Whether you email, text, or comment and post on social media, we're writing as much or more these days than ever before. According to the PEW Research Center, only 5% of U.S. adults used social media in 2005, but by 2021, that number jumped up to 72%! π€― But after a stroke or brain injury, writing can get harder. This is called agraphia, a loss of written expression. βοΈ...
Whether you're more likely to send an email π§ or a text π¬, there's no denying that written communication is everywhere. We connect with others through typed messages, including commenting on social posts. β¨οΈπ¬ According to the PEW Research Center, only 5% of U.S. adults used social media in 2005, but by 2021, that number jumped up to 72%! π€― For patients with agraphia, or a loss of writing ability, this shift can be a major barrier to connection and independence. π So, what are the best...
Hi Reader, May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month. And maybe that means your workplace gives you a shout-out or a cookie πͺ, but maybe you've thought: π βI wish I could quickly find treatments and handouts that are actually functional and grounded in evidence.β ...That would be a real gift. π To celebrate you and your incredible work, weβre offering you a FREE 3-week trial (no credit card needed) PLUS $10 off the Virtual Rehab Center, making your first month 50% off the regular price....