(*The following text is a script that correlates to the podcast. This podcast includes Mrs. Johnson’s feelings on the current treatment options for her husband and how she feels. This is taken from a conversation with Mr. Johnson’s speech therapist.)
Recently I met with Mrs. Johnson to discuss what could be done for her husband until we could get an approval for an augmentative device. I was really impressed with her observations and her research. The following is a transcript of what she said. If you click on the link at the end you can hear what she said for yourself. Remember that when doing therapy you have to counsel family members as well as the person with the disorder so what Mrs. Johnson has said is really important to take into consideration. Here are her thoughts:
Mrs. Johnson: After reading the guest editorial that was published in the paper I decided to make Phillip a picture book of common objects that he used or may want or need, such as food, his toothbrush, books that he likes to read, or the remote control. I thought that it was really difficult for him to flip the pages due to his limb apraxia. I also found that his choices were limited because of the pictures that I had available. When he wanted something to eat, he would flip to the page with a picture of vegetables but I did not know exactly what he wanted. He would try to tell me but he began to get frustrated when the words would not come out. I know that it is frustrating for him to know what he wants to say but he is not able to plan and sequence the movements of his mouth, which is the major characteristic of apraxia (Bloom, R.L., & Ferrand, C.T., 1997). I also know that I can’t make a book containing a picture of all of the things that he likes. That would be a rather large task and I really don’t have the time right now. I also think that the limb apraxia limits his ability to use the book. Phillip needs a simple device that he can just push a button and choose what he wants. I hope that the approval for his device comes soon because I don’t know how much longer Phillip can stand not being able to fully communicate. I know that his only option for therapy is to be fitted with a device and to learn how to use it. I know that he will probably never tell me that he loves me again but I would at least like for him to have the option to let a device say it for him.
After Mrs. Johnson spoke about her concerns, I tried to reassure her that the insurance would approve a device. If the insurance does not I do not know what we will do. I have been researching treatment options for his disorder and all I can find is information on augmentative devices. The only solution that I could come up with, along with two of my colleagues, was to make a picture book that is similar to picture exchange communication system, also known as PECS. This is not working to well due to Mr. Johnson’s limb apraxia. These were my conclusions from this session.
To hear Mrs. Johnson’s comments click on the word podcast. Podcast
November 4, 2006 at 10:07 pm
1. Voice: Whose voice is this piece in?
~This piece is in the voice of a woman whose husband has broca’s aphasia, and is briefly explained by the speech-language pathologist.
2. Audience: Who is this piece written for?
~This piece is written for anyone interested in Broca’s aphasia or who is going through the same thing Mrs. Johnson is.
3. Say Back: What do you think the author is saying with this piece?
~The author is trying to convey how important augmentative devices are not only for the person with Broca’s aphasia, but for their friends and family members as well.
4. Bless: Something specific in the piece you can bless.
~I think it’s a great that you wrote the dialogue in your post. I don’t know if it’s required but I will definitely do that.
Address: Something specific in the piece the author should address.
~When I listened to your podcast I actually listened to three; two were in the voice of the spouse (the same thing twice) and the last one was you telling about the project and explaining the podcast of the spouse. I don’t know if there is a way to set it up differently and get rid of one of them, but I guess you might want to look into that.
November 5, 2006 at 8:26 pm
1.Voice: This piece is written in the voice of a wife of a husband with broca’s aphasia and also from the voice of the clinician.
2.Audience: This piece is written for family members of an individual with broca’s aphasia. It is also written for clinicians and those who are interested in the disorder.
3.Say Back: I think the author is trying to explain how important augmentative devices are for communication purposes and how difficult it is to interact with someone with broca’s aphasia without the right tools.
4.Bless: I like the fact that you gave a little intro about the podcast and the script taken from the conversation. I also think that you are doing a great job making your genres connect with each other! For example, you wrote in a previous genre that the insurance hasn’t gone through in order to get the device Philip needs and in this genre you also mentioned that you are still waiting and now you’re trying other methods until then.
5.Address: Sorry, I can’t really think of anything here. I did however, have the same concern as Crissa when I listened to your podcast.
December 3, 2006 at 9:54 am
[...] Quote three specific pieces of feedback (not the whole responses, just parts of a response) that you received on your work that were particularly helpful to you in revising (not editing, revising the content). Include links to these comments. Crissa commented on my podcast and said that I needed to go back and erase two of my podcast that had posted and save the one that I wanted the listener to hear. This comment can be found by clicking here. Crissa commented on my guest editorial and said that “The last line seems incomplete.” I considered this comment and changed the line to make it sound more complete. To view this comment click here. Erica made a comment on my PowerPoint Presentation that was very helpful. She told me that it may be a good idea to tell more about how devices are fitted. I was planning on doing this anyway but when someone else caught it, I knew it had to be done. To see the actual comment click here. [...]