ECoLoGiC Speech Therapy for Everyday Communication in Aphasia

ECoLoGiC Treatment is a behavioral therapy developed to improve language abilities in everyday conversation for people with aphasia. It is delivered through therapeutic use of spontaneous conversational interactions between a speech-language pathologist and a person with aphasia. ECoLoGiC Treatment is based on theories of conversational interaction in adults without communication disorders, as well as on theories of neuroplasticity, rehabilitation, and learning. The therapy consists of two components: a) Therapeutic Conversation, during which the pair discuss any topic of interest to the person with aphasia, while the speech-language pathologist uses techniques to promote social interaction; and b) Therapeutic Repair, used when communication breakdown occurs. At this time, the speech-language pathologist implements the intervention's 7-step least-to-most hierarchy, supporting the person's independence and learning in communicative problem-solving to communicate the desired idea.