The conversation groups are designed to be as authentic as possible. Facilitators aim to support conversation between members, versus towards the facilitator.
Participation is measured by member engagement – this can be verbal or nonverbal. Facilitator focus is to provide equal opportunities for participation. In this way, emphasis is placed on social vs. language outcomes. Conversation is valued as a therapy intervention, indirectly targeting language domains.
Groups are not task-oriented. Facilitators do not (typically) prepare materials in advance of the sessions. Facilitator training is based on three primary sources from the literature:
- Simmons-Mackie, N., & Elman, R. J. (2011). Negotiation of identity in group therapy for aphasia: the Aphasia Café. International journal of language & communication disorders, 46(3), 312 -323
- Simmons-Mackie, N., Elman, R. J., Holland, A. L., & Damico, J. S. (2007). Management of discourse in group therapy for aphasia. Topics in Language Disorders, 27(1), 5-23.
- Simmons-Mackie, N., & Kagan, A. (1999). Communication strategies used by ‘good’ versus ‘poor’ speaking partners of individuals with aphasia. Aphasiology, 13(9-11), 807-820.