Facilitating communication skills in adult apraxics: application of Blissymbols in a group setting.
This report describes the use of Blissymbols over a period of 8 mo with four adult aphasic patients who also exhibit severe verbal apraxia. The areas investigated include the patients' ability to use Blissymbols as a facilitating technique for communication, the capacity for learning Blissymbols, attitudes toward the use of Blissymbols, and the ability to learn Blissymbols in a group setting. Our results indicate that candidates with good auditory comprehension, good visual-perceptual skills, and a high level of motivation are more successful in using Blissymbols as a facilitating technique. Blissymbols are found to encourage verbal language and writing skills, even though not stressed. The group therapy approach provides needed motivation and proves beneficial.
D001037:Aphasia / Q000150:complications; D001072:Apraxias / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D001290:Attitude; D001307:Auditory Perception; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology; D003142:Communication; D003143:Communication Devices for People with Disabilities; D005260:Female; D007839:Functional Laterality; D006126:Group Processes; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009042:Motivation; D012656:Self-Help Devices; D014796:Visual Perception; D014956:Writing