Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jan 16, 2026
A Protocol for Comprehensive Assessment of Bulbar Dysfunction in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis ALS
Published on: February 21, 2011
"I felt really confident to enter the session": a pilot evaluation of a co-designed speech pathologist and
Chelsea S Larkman1,2,3, Lucette Lanyon1,2, Miranda L Rose1,2
1School of Allied Health, Human Services and Sport, College of Science, Health and Engineering, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Australia.
Purpose:
There is a growing need for speech pathologists to provide aphasia therapy to clients with whom they do not share a language or culture. This requires collaboration with interpreters. This study aimed to evaluate the co-designed La Trobe University Aphasia therapy Collaboration Tool for Speech Pathologists and Interpreters to determine if it can support their interactions to adapt and deliver aphasia therapy.
Methods:
Four speech pathologists and four interpreters from a range of language backgrounds, experience levels, workplaces, and genders were recruited. Participants were divided into four dyads involving one speech pathologist and one interpreter. Each dyad engaged in a one-hour, online workshop during which participants role-played a pre-briefing session for an aphasia therapy case study, applying the tool as guidance. Participants were interviewed about their use of the tool. The data were analysed using Framework Analysis.
Results:
Four themes were identified: 1) mutual engagement promotes active and productive collaboration, 2) engaging in adaptation can be complex and requires additional skills and resources, 3) time is a limited resource, and 4) the tool has multiple benefits.
Conclusions:
The tool can support speech pathologists and interpreters collaborating to deliver aphasia therapy. Further refinement would enhance the tool's useability and impact.
