Exploration of collaborative goal setting in occupational therapy for adults with aphasia

Aphasia, an acquired communication disorder, often results in restrictions to participation in daily activities leading to a decline in social networks, reduced quality of life, and decreased emotional well-being. Collaborative goal setting in rehabilitation settings is an important aspect of client-centered therapy for all clients; however, it is often ignored for people with aphasia due to lack of time, limited training in communication strategies, and a negative approach toward communicating with the person with aphasia.

This study used qualitative descriptive methodology to explore the experience of adults with aphasia with collaborative goal setting. Through interviews and observation, authors sought to gain an understanding of the facilitators and barriers to collaborative goal setting for people with aphasia. Participants were four adults with poststroke aphasia recruited from a university Aphasia Resource Center.

Findings demonstrate that the environment and a client-centered approach support goal setting while too many adaptations and limited comprehension limit goal setting.

The authors conclude that occupational therapy practitioners should support collaborative goal setting for people with aphasia through use of aphasia-friendly goal-setting processes, including adaptations to existing goal-setting measures as appropriate.