Date of Award
2015
Document Type
Thesis
Publisher
Edith Cowan University
Degree Name
Bachelor of Speech Pathology Honours
School
School of Psychology and Social Science
Faculty
Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science
First Supervisor
Professor Beth Armstrong
Second Supervisor
Associate Professor Deborah Hersh
Abstract
This study examines clinician and client interactions in the context of an acute care unit in a small urban Western Australian Hospital. The study involved audiovisual recordings and observations of assessment sessions, and in-depth interviews with the assessing Speech Pathologist and her clients. Analysis used Discourse Analysis of assessment sessions and Thematic Analysis of interviews. There is growing evidence as to how less formal non-traditional assessment might be more supportive of people with aphasia—for instance, by using concepts and techniques drawn from Dynamic Assessment and principles of Adult Learning. Surveys of Australian and New Zealand Speech Pathologists reflect a move away from standardised tests in acute settings, finding Speech Pathologists are more likely to use informal and/or unstandardised assessment tools. However, little research has been conducted about the assessment experiences of people with aphasia, particularly in the early stages post- stroke. The purpose of this study is to describe and analyse typical contemporary speech pathology practices in assessment of people with aphasia in the early stages post-stroke, and explore how assessment is experienced by both the assessing clinician and the person assessed.
Recommended Citation
Wood, P. J. (2015). Interactions between a Speech Pathologist and people with aphasia in the first 6 weeks post stroke: A qualitative study of assessment experiences. Edith Cowan University. https://ro.ecu.edu.au/theses_hons/1485