Date of Award

Spring 1962

Document Type

Thesis - Restricted

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Communication

Abstract

For hundreds of years there has been discussion concerning the subject of speech disability, but the profession of speech therapy is still very new to our society. Included in the category of speech disability, are communication disturbances due to language impairment. A person affected with a language disturbance is said to be "aphasic". Thousands of therapists are presently working with speech defective individuals, but only a very limited number of therapists are directly involved in therapeutic processes designed to meet the needs of the adult aphasic. The number of speech therapists active in the area of aphasia is substantially reduced when considered from the standpoint of "group therapy for the adult aphasic". Because the problem of aphasia and an individual's total personality manifestations cannot be isolated from one another, language therapy for the aphasic is one of the most challenging of rehabilitative processes. Previously written literature on this very important aspect of speech therapy has been extremely limited in scope. In this essay, considerable attention has been devoted to a systematized treatment of group dynamics for purposes of managing adult aphasia groups. The essay is designed for professional use, in the hope that the material presented will encourage improved and increased therapeutic facilities for the adult aphasic. A broader knowledge of what to expect in an aphasia group may help to stimulate increased interest in this area by presently qualified therapists, and at the same time, serve as a focal point for recommending therapeutic specialties to any new and interested person.

Download

Share

COinS

Restricted Access Item

Having trouble?