RIC Center for Aphasia Research & Treatment
345 E Superior #1353
Edie Babbitt: ebabbitt@ric.org
312-238-6163
Supported Conversation for Adults with Aphasia
From: The Aphasia Institute of Toronto http://www.aphasia.ca/
ALWAYS have pen/paper available. YOU must use it in the
conversation
 Acknowledge Competence
o Respectful volume/tone of voice
o Address frustrations
o “I KNOW YOU KNOW”
 Reveal the person’s competence
o Get your information IN
 Write key words/main ideas
 Use gestures
 Draw pictures
o Get their information OUT
 Write down Y/N/Don’t Know - Person can point
 Ask person to write, draw, gesture, point
 Chunk numbers When were you married? 1940 1950 1960
 Ask opinions using Likert scales
1970
What do you think of the parking meter scandal?
How was the hockey game?

1
5

10
o Verify
 Burden is on you: “Let me make sure I’m understanding”
 Summarize your understanding
Do Not Copy Without Permission from the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago
or the Aphasia Center of Toronto