Conversation partners

The person with aphasia and key conversation partners should be invited to contribute to the assessment.

Reference: N/A
NHMRC level of Evidence: GPP

Rationale: Stakeholders may include any conversational partner relevant to the client. This includes not only family but also friends and other health professionals. The clinician and client may learn a great deal from the opinions of family, friends and other health professionals regarding the communication of the person with aphasia.  It may also be possible to find out how these people act as conversation partners during this process. Keeping stakeholders involved and informed is helpful in building a holistic approach to intervention. Just as aphasia is considered a family problem, intervention may involve family solutions­, but this requires the assessments to be dynamic, transparent and relevant to all those affected by the aphasia. Stakeholders can also provide important background information relating to the person with aphasia’s medical history and premorbid status.