Examining interaction in language therapy

Discussions around a ‘theory of therapy’ have prompted attempts to delineate the components of therapy for language impairment in aphasia. Here it is suggested that the therapy components associated with how language therapy is enacted need more precise specification, especially in relation to what is entailed by interaction between therapist and person with aphasia. Presented too is a system used for the analysis of interaction in language impairment therapy for aphasia and its possible applications are discussed. Components of the system are described and a sample analysis presented. The methodological difficulties entailed in making comparisons of therapy enactment are discussed. It is suggested furthermore that unless more is known about precisely defined interactions in therapy, it will be difficult to answer basic questions not only about how language therapy is being carried out, but also, subsequently, whether the ways in which therapy tasks are enacted have a significant impact on the outcome.